Network for the Development of Agricultural Cooperatives in Asia and the Pacific (NEDAC)

NEDAC

 

CONSTITUTION

 

This Constitution has been unanimously adopted in the General Assembly Session held at

New Delhi, India on 15-16 November 2018.

 

Background of NEDAC

 

Considering the proposal made by ADG/RR, FAORAP in Singapore Consultation conclusion

34 in June 1989 and recommendation 9.1 of the Cooperative Ministers’ Conference in

Sydney convened by the ICA/ROAP in February 1990 the agencies and institutions of the

countries in the Asia and Pacific Region who are involved and concerned in the promotion

and development of agricultural and allied sector cooperatives;

 

Recognizing the mutual advantages to be delivered through the exchange of technical

information know-how and experiences through regional collaboration;

 

Have decided to establish a regional network on agricultural and other associated cooperative

development for Asia and the Pacific Region, hereinafter referred to as the “Network for the

Development of Agricultural Cooperatives in Asia and the Pacific”, also to be known by its

acronym NEDAC which should be governed by the following provisions:

 

Preamble

 

With a firm collective intent to advance what we believe is an inherent right as responsible

members of the community of the earth particularly in Asia and the Pacific, we have come

together to forge a strong Network to make life better for the peasantry in a continent where

millions of people living in extreme poverty and hunger.

 

Knowing the trade and liberalization has caught on with the Asia and the Pacific economy

with the free-flowing of goods, services, skilled labor, investment and capital, we can do no

less but transform the agricultural cooperatives and allied sector cooperatives to become a

solid sustainable development force to achieve food security, ecological integrity, inclusive

growth and people empowerment.

 

As transformative cooperatives we will harness our collective potentials for people, planet,

prosperity and peace.

 

ARTICLE I. DECLARATION OF POLICY

 

It is the declared policy of the Network for Development of Agricultural Cooperatives

(NEDAC) to foster the creation and growth of agricultural and other associated cooperatives

as practical vehicles for promoting economic development and harnessing people power

towards sustainable agriculture by pursuing sustainable use of natural resources while

meeting society’s growing needs for decent and resilient livelihoods. As democratic,

participatory organizations of rural poor, based on the principles of social cohesion, self-help

and equity, agricultural and other associated cooperatives can be highly effective in preparing

the masses to respond to threats to life, property and livelihoods from natural disasters and

climate change. In addition, agricultural and other associated cooperatives have and can play

a crucial role in promotion of farm practices that contribute towards climate change

mitigation as well as adaptation.

 

Toward this end, the NEDAC shall ensure the multi-national impact of globalization on

socio-economic life of the people of Asia-Pacific and its wider associated regions and their

institutions, particularly the agricultural and other associated cooperatives to enable said

cooperatives to gain from the enhanced economic growth and prosperity brought about by

globalization and liberalization of national economies through equitable distribution of

economic growth.

 

Further, the NEDAC recognizes and calls upon Governments to strengthen apolitical,

democratic and autonomous character of agricultural and other associated cooperatives and to

provide a positive playing field to said cooperatives to enable them to compete in the

globalized market. Since globalization is founded on a fiercely competitive market place,

there is an imperative need for agricultural and other associated cooperatives to build their

capacity to compete by raising their management capacity.

 

ARTICLE II. NAME OF NETWORK

 

The name of the network shall be “Regional Network for the Development of Agricultural

Cooperatives in Asia and the Pacific” with the acronym NEDAC.

 

ARTICLE III. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE NETWORK

 

To sensitize governments on the need for promoting potential of Agricultural and

Other Associated Cooperatives’ role in development particularly in the agricultural

and rural development sector;

To provide a forum for exchange of information and experiences and promote

cooperation among member countries through joint efforts and the exchange of

knowledge and experiences;

To establish amongst its members an internal based system for data collection,

exchange of information and experiences regarding agricultural cooperative

development, with focus on enabling legal and policy frameworks of countries,

cooperative enterprise development, capacity building/strengthening of agricultural

cooperatives, promote agricultural fisheries and forestry-based commodity

production, value-addition and marketing at national and regional levels;

• To strengthen the technical and managerial capacity of member-institutions especially

in identification of problems and formulation of adequate solutions and encourage the

countries’ self-confidence through recognition of their own resources, knowledge and

skills;

• To establish and maintain close working relationships with international organisations

particularly, Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), International Labour

Organisation (ILO), UNDP, IFAD, World Bank, EU, DFID, USAID, NORAD, SIDA,

DANIDA, etc.; International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) and regional organisations

particularly ICA-ROAP, Asia-Pacific Rural and Agricultural Credit Association

(APRACA)and other organisations pursuing similar or related objectives.

• To stimulate the capabilities and training of human resources at all levels and

accelerate development through a more efficient utilization of human, physical and

financial resources available;

• To establish market and trade linkages among cooperatives in the Asia and the Pacific

countries and in their wider associated regions, for possible business development of

their agricultural and associated products from complete value chain development

perspective; and

• To document and disseminate success stories in regard to innovate interaction

between governments and cooperatives.

• To promote capacity development of NEDAC member institutions and their

personnel. 

 

ARTICLE IV. SCOPE OF MEMBERSHIP

 

The Network shall be open for membership on voluntary basis to all eligible

organisations/institutions in countries of the Asia Pacific and wider associated regions. The

network shall have regular and associate membership. All the membership fees shall follow

the calendar year pattern. Members must pay their annual membership fees ideally by 31st

December, but in no case later than 31st March of the succeeding year in which case, special

request mentioning the circumstances of delay in payment of membership fee shall be made

to the Chairman who may decide the matter on its merits to grant delayed payment, but not

later than 31st March. The conditions mentioned hereinafter, shall be the basis in determining

whether the member-institution will be accepted as regular or as an associate member.

The membership shall be open to all following organisations/institutions:

 

A. Regular Membership:

 

The regular membership shall be open to all the eligible organisations/institutions on

voluntary basis upon payment of admission fee USD$500 and annual membership fee of

US$2500.

The regular member shall come from any of the following institutions:

a. Government organisations / agencies: Ministries, Departments and Institutions with direct

responsibility for agricultural and other associated cooperatives development;

b. Any cooperative organization/ federation/ association connected with agricultural and

other associated cooperatives;

c. Parastatal organizations supporting agricultural cooperative development; and

Cooperative Training and Research Institutions; Universities involved in or supporting

agricultural cooperative development and International Organizations;

 

B. Associate Membership:

 

The associate membership shall be open to all the eligible organisations/institutions on

voluntary basis upon payment of admission fee US $500 and annual membership fee of

US$1500.

The associate members may include:

a. Institution qualified as regular member but opted to become an associate member

b. Any organization in the Asia-Pacific and wider associated regions supporting

agricultural and other associated cooperatives development; and

c. Any cooperative organization from outside the region with particular interest in

providing support to agricultural cooperative development in Asian and Pacific and

wider associated region countries.


Associate Members shall not be represented in the Executive Committee and shall have no

voting rights during the general assembly meeting. However, they are eligible to participate

in the formulation of NEDAC policies/strategies and its programme of activities/work plan

for agricultural cooperative development.

The FAO Regional Office; International Cooperative Alliance, Regional Office for Asia and

the Pacific (ICA-ROAP), ILO Regional Cooperative Development Unit and APRACA will

be permanent invitees to the Network.

 

ARTICLE V. OBLIGATIONS OF MEMBERS

 

The obligations of Network members are as follows:

 

a. Attend the general assembly meeting regularly;

b. Promptly respond to the communication by Chairman or Secretariat of the Network

on matters related to realize the plans and programs of the network;

c. Provide relevant information requested by members of the NEDAC;

d. Undertake any assignments that may be mutually agreed upon by the members of the

NEDAC;

e. Settle financial obligations/membership fees in close consultation with the NEDAC

Secretariat. Rescheduling of arrears or any other acceptable solution mutually agreed

based upon criteria established by the Executive Committee will be effected by the

Secretariat and the member concerned;

f. Collaborate fully with the Network in the fulfilment of the objectives and functions of

NEDAC;

g. Discuss the programmes of the NEDAC with other members of NEDAC where they

exist and convey their comments/decisions to the secretariat.

h. Arrange education, training and exposure visits to members of the NEDAC in their

respective countries on mutually agreeable terms.

i. Promote trade among member organizations / countries; and

j. As may be desired by NEDAC from time to time.