Farmer-producer organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic: Examining the role of organization-producer relationships on coping, resiliency, and effectiveness

Juan Xavier Ullaguari; Rafael Landaverde; Arie Sanders; Alexis Zickafoose

doi:10.37433/aad.v4i3.331

Authors

Juan Xavier Ullaguari Zamorano University, Honduras https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9880-313X
Rafael Landaverde Texas A&M University, USA https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6489-0477
Arie Sanders Zamorano University, Honduras https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6548-4454
Alexis Zickafoose The Ohio State University, USA https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0327-3640

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37433/aad.v4i3.331

Keywords:

association, collective action, quarantine, resilience, virus

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic, farmer-producer organizations continued to serve their members. This qualitative study aimed to understand how agricultural farmer-producer organizations assisted their members in bearing the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic in western Honduras. Through semi-structured interviews with 20 farmer-producer association affiliates and thematic coding of their responses, eight coping mechanism themes were identified: (a) continuous training, (b) seeking and securing external funding for investment, (c) new and safe agricultural markets, (d) value-added food, (e) stable and competitive prices, (f) advocacy for temporary mobility permits, (g) agricultural, financial, and food aid packages, and (h) emotional support. Members felt that these efforts were effective. However, the stability of the farmer-producer organizations was contingent upon the engagement and commitment of the members themselves. Practitioners and farmer-producer organizations can use this study to strengthen formalized social networks in Honduras and similar economic and productive environments. However, further research is still needed to identify the factors which motivate agricultural individuals to engage in farmer-producer organizations.

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