ABSTRACT
Agricultural activities significantly impact natural resources as there is an increased shortage of land for cultivation, particularly in rural areas where farmers are smallholders and peasants. The chapter aimed to analyse the role of agricultural co-operatives as smallholder farmers’ associations in promoting sustainable agricultural practices and natural resource conservation. Underpinned by stakeholder theory, diffusion of innovations theory and value chain analysis approach, this chapter undertakes a systematic literature review of natural resources conservation, cooperative supply chain operations and sustainable environmental practices, among agricultural cooperative operations. Literature was sourced from reputable databases, including Scopus and Science Direct, Taylor and Francis, MDPI and Wiley Online, where a total of 62 papers were sampled after screening based on keywords. Findings indicated that agricultural co-operatives play a significant role in natural resource conservation by ensuring that natural resources are not depleted. They also promote sustainable agricultural practices to their members, including conservation tillage, crop rotation, and agroforestry. Likewise, the co-operatives promote natural resource conservation by providing their members with access to sustainable markets, which result in the adoption of more sustainable agricultural practices. The chapter concludes that agricultural marketing co-operatives play an essential role in natural resource conservation by promoting sustainable agricultural practices. Based on the findings, it is recommended that co-operatives should align their resources and integrate their supply chain operations to conserve natural resources for future generations as required by the 6th and 7th Principles of Co-operatives.
