O que faz o sucesso das cooperativas agrícolas nos Países Baixos? 37 Next to cooperatives that provide farm inputs and those that handle farm products, also financial cooperatives, providing credit and insurance, are important in agriculture. Most of agricultural credit to Dutch farmers is provided by Rabobank, the only cooperative bank in The Netherlands. Cooperative insurance companies often provide weather and other farm insurances. 2. A bit of history The history of agricultural cooperatives goes back to the mid 19th century, when agricultural associations were established for the provision of farm insurance, cattle breeding, rural credit, and exchange of farm knowledge. Most of these associations were organised informally, often supported by local dignitaries. With the enactment of the first cooperative legislation in 1876 the associations turned into formal cooperatives, allowing them to expand their independent business activities. A rapid increase in the number of newly established cooperatives appeared at the end of the 19th century, when industrialization and expansion of international trade presented new opportunities for Dutch farmers. Although cooperatives were primarily organised for economic purposes, the original social element of solidarity should not be underestimated. Farmers were used to help their neighbours in emergencies and to decide collectively on water management. This idea of common interests was expressed in the names given to the new dairy cooperatives. Common names were Harmony, Concord, and Our Interest. Other evocative names that bear witness to a more social inclination were Good Expectations, Future, Hope, and Aurora. The expansion of the world economy between 1890 and 1930 was favourable for Dutch agriculture. The Netherlands was neutral in World War I, and agriculture benefitted from the large demand for agricultural products during and after the war. The number of cooperatives particularly grew in sectors and regions with an export orientation, such as in Table 1 – Top 20 Agricultural Cooperatives in The Netherlands (2022) Rank Name Sector Turnover million Euro Employees (fte) Number of Members 1 FrieslandCampina Dairy 14,076 21,715 15,137 2 Royal FloraHolland Ornamentals 5,166 3,366 3,574 3 ForFarmers Animal Feed 3,315 2,468 4,500 4 Royal Cosun Sugar 3,046 4,558 8,106 5 Agrifirm Animal Feed 2,810 3,131 10,000 6 The Greenery Vegetables, Fruits 829 963 362 7 Avebe Starch Potatoes 711 1,332 2,242 8 CZAV Farm Inputs 648 250 2,500 9 Harvest House Vegetables 553 214 72 10 ABZ Diervoeding Animal Feed 440 244 2,601 11 AgruniekRijnvallei Animal Feed 428 3,322 1,750 12 Agrico Potatoes 343 273 1,804 13 CONO Cheesemakers Dairy 326 197 460 14 DOC Cheese Dairy 324 260 900 15 CNB Flower Bulbs 316 1,071 1,296 16 Voergroep Zuid Animal Feed 311 280 535 17 DeltaMilk Dairy 289 73 165 18 Royal ZON Vegetables 266 76 126 19 Rouveen Cheese Specialties Dairy 241 175 250 20 FruitMasters Fruit 235 341 356
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