Within the MAMAP/GMAP project, implemented by UNIDO and funded by NORAD, AMPCM explains in a concise video what changes when a group of fish farmers transitions from an association to a cooperative, and why this shift improves access to services, contracts, and markets.
Key takeaways from the testimony
In the video, the Mozambican Association for the Promotion of Modern Cooperatives (AMPCM) outlines, in practical terms, the differences between an association and a cooperative, and the day-to-day impact of this transition on producers.
“They move from being a non-profit association to a cooperative enterprise whose purpose is to benefit its members.” said Elidio Dias, from AMPCM
This change in legal status brings business capacity: a cooperative can open a bank account, hire staff, issue invoices, sign supply agreements, and access specialised services.
“From now on, they can access additional services, including financial services.”
What changes in market relations
AMPCM underscores how the cooperative structure organises supply and strengthens fish farmers’ bargaining power:
- Volume and scale to negotiate inputs and sales prices
- Predictability for buyers (delivery and replenishment plans)
- Credibility with banks, suppliers, and authorities
“A cooperative ensures steady and regular product delivery – a clear advantage. Another advantage is collective bargaining power and the building of a more secure market.”
Governance and management that endure
Beyond legal status, a cooperative establishes elected bodies, clear rules for member admission and exit, share capital, financial reporting, and collective decision-making. These elements create management discipline – the basis for quality, traceability, and economic sustainability.
AMPCM’s role and the UNIDO context
AMPCM supports training, facilitation of general assemblies, and post-registration follow-up, working alongside public institutions and the MAMAP – Market Access of Mozambican Aquaculture Products project, implemented by UNIDO with donor support. The objective is clear: strengthen capacities, improve compliance with standards, and connect producers to markets in a sustainable way.
Why become a cooperative?
- More opportunities (credit, projects, contracts)
- More predictability (production and logistics planning)
- Higher income potential (scale, better average prices, reduced losses)
- Stronger voice (collective bargaining and formal representation)
Watch the video to hear AMPCM’s full perspective on the transition from association → cooperative and what this step means for professionalisation and market access among fish farmers.