Farmer-producer organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic: Examining the role of organization-producer relationships on coping, resiliency, and effectiveness

During the COVID-19 pandemic, farmer-producer organizations continued to serve their members. This qualitative study aimed to understand how agricultural farmer-producer organizations assisted their members in bearing the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic in western Honduras. Through semi-structured interviews with 20 farmer-producer association affiliates and thematic coding of their responses, eight coping mechanism themes were identified: (a) continuous training, (b) seeking and securing external funding for investment, (c) new and safe agricultural markets, (d) value-added food, (e) stable and competitive prices, (f) advocacy for temporary mobility permits, (g) agricultural, financial, and food aid packages, and (h) emotional support. Members felt that these efforts were effective. However, the stability of the farmer-producer organizations was contingent upon the engagement and commitment of the members themselves. Practitioners and farmer-producer organizations can use this study to strengthen formalized social networks in Honduras and similar economic and productive environments. However, further research is still needed to identify the factors which motivate agricultural individuals to engage in farmer-producer organizations.