ORGANIC COOPERATIVE APPROACHES TO RURAL DEVELOPMENT

Investments in physical assets (Measure 4): This measure includes investments in farm infrastructure; the development,processing and marketing of agricultural products; farm and forestry modernisation; and non-productive investments. It couldbe used, for example, to support the development of group processing and marketing by primary producers.Setting up of producer groups and organisations (Measure 9): This measure supports the establishment of producer groupsthat can allow farmers to better organise and position themselves in the food chain. The groups can therefore help to strengthenproducers’ bargain power in relation to production and marketing.Agri-environment- climate (Measure 10): In addition to farm level practices, this measure can support collective approaches toenvironmental land management amongst farmers and other rural stakeholders. For example, the measure could support thejoint establishment, management and connectively of high species grassland areas to promote on-farm habitats for nesting birdsand other wildlife.Support for LEADER local development (Measure 19): LEADER has a proven track record of supporting communities across theEU in building local capacities for sustainable development in rural areas. This measure primarily supports the activities of localaction groups (LAGs), consisting of rural public and private partners from different socioeconomic segments, who are workingto devise and introduce local development strategies. Depending on the LAGs’ activities, LEADER funding could be used, forexample, to diversify farm businesses.8