Farmer and fisher cooperatives are formal or informal groups where members pool resources, share knowledge, and work together to improve their livelihoods. These organizations can be informal or formal, operating locally or regionally. In the Caribbean, including Curaçao, Aruba, and St. Martin, cooperatives help small-scale producers strengthen their bargaining power, access credit, and share equipment. They also play a role in promoting sustainable practices and co-managing resources with governments. By working collectively, members can better withstand climate-related shocks such as hurricanes, droughts, or poor fishing seasons, and adapt through strategies like diversifying income or improving storage and processing.
Feasibility & Local Applicability
Cooperatives already exist in these islands, such as Federashon Kooperativanan Uní di Produkshon (FKUP) in Curaçao. Expanding these models is feasible because they build on existing social structures and can be supported by NGOs and microfinance programs. Training and awareness on climate-smart practices will be essential for scaling up.
Co-benefits
Cooperatives offer multiple benefits beyond climate adaptation. They strengthen local economies by improving market access and negotiating better prices. They enable knowledge exchange and capacity building, helping members adopt sustainable techniques. Shared resources reduce costs, while collective action can support conservation efforts such as reef protection or soil management. These benefits also enhance food security and create opportunities for youth employment.
Equity & Vulnerability Considerations
While cooperatives can empower communities, there is a risk of excluding the most vulnerable if membership requirements are too strict or costs are high. Outreach and support programs should ensure that small-scale fishers and farmers, including women and youth can participate. Providing microcredit and insurance through cooperatives can help members recover from climate-related losses and reduce financial vulnerability.
Costs
Low
Case studies & Examples
- Federashon Kooperativanan Uní di Produkshon (FKUP) fishing training
- The Caribbean Farmers Organisation (CaFAN) is the regional network for farmers organizations in the Caribbean
Literature
- Elsler, L. G., Quintana, A., Giron-Nava, A., Oostdijk, M., Stefanski, S., Guillermo, X. B., ... & Tekwa, E. W. (2022). Strong collective action enables valuable and sustainable fisheries for cooperatives. Environmental Research Letters, 17(10), 105003.
- Candemir, A., Duvaleix, S., & Latruffe, L. (2021). Agricultural cooperatives and farm sustainability–A literature review. Journal of Economic Surveys, 35(4), 1118-1144.
- Gerhardinger, L. C., Mills, E., Mesquita, B., Rivera, V. S., Kefalás, H. C., & Colonese, A. C. (2023). Challenging the blue economy: voices from artisanal fishing communities in Latin America and the Caribbean. Development, 66(1), 95-104.
- Ma, W., Marini, M. A., & Rahut, D. B. (2023). Farmers’ organizations and sustainable development: An introduction. Annals of Public and Cooperative Economics, 94(3), 683-700. Public and Cooperative Economics, 94(3), 683-700.
- MacDonald, S. (2022). Life in" Paradise" a social psychological and anthropological study of nature conservation in the Caribbean Netherlands. Universiteit Leiden.
- Kangogo, D., Bijman, J., Dentoni, D., & Cecchi, F. (2025). Cooperatives and Climate Change Adaptation: The Effects of Membership and Access to Services. In Managing Networks in the Digital Economy: Alliances, Cooperatives, Franchise Chains, Platforms and Digitalization (pp. 115-144). Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland.
- Townhill, B. L., Birchenough, S. N., Engelhard, G. H., Harrod, O., McHarg, E., Monnereau, I., & Buckley, P. J. (2021). Responding to climate change in Caribbean fisheries and aquaculture through adaptation. The CLME+ Hub, 1-57.