Cooperative development services OPG no. 515-0227 to Agricultural Cooperative Development International for coffee technification and diversification

ACDI will (1) provide a long-term advisor to assist in the development of a worker-owned oil palm cooperative in the Parrita district, and (2) provide a second advisor to help the Federacion de Cooperativas de Caficultores (FEDECOOP) with the credit aspects of its coffee technification/diversification project. Under the first OPG component, known as the Quepos Oil Palm Project, ACDI will assist in the development and management of a farmers" cooperative that has been recently organized to facilitate the transfer (sale) of lands owned by Compania Bananera de Costa Rica to former employees of the company. The ACDI advisor"s major duties will be to review legal documents concerning the co-op, analyze its financial situation, provide training to the co-op manager and other operational personnel and arrange additional training at other locations as required, conduct educational sessions to acquaint the directors and members of the co-op with their responsiblities, and help to develop a computerized management information plan. Under the second component, an ACDI credit advisor will help FEDECOOP develop a program of credit and TA for affiliated cooperatives and their members who need to diversify their cropping and adopt new technologies in the face of a threat from coffee rust disease. The advisor will help train extension agents in matters relating to credit and will assist FEDECOOP and other cooperative personnel in loan administration, especially the approval process, disbursement, and receiving of funds.