The 18th Asia Pacific Cooperative Research Conference took place from 15 to 18 October 2024 at the Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode (IIMK) in Kerala, India. This year’s conference, organized as part of the centenary celebrations of the Uralungal Labour Contract Co-operative Society Ltd. (ULCCS), provided a dynamic forum for researchers, cooperative leaders, and practitioners to share insights on the evolving role of cooperatives in driving social and economic inclusion.

Event Overview

The conference featured an extensive array of sessions, including plenary talks, industry panels, and paper presentations covering a wide range of themes relevant to cooperative development. With 289 paper abstracts submitted, the committee shortlisted 129 and 87 participants submitted full papers. The conference saw record engagement from scholars and experts across the Asia-Pacific region. Key discussions centred around digital transformation, sustainable development, and the future of platform cooperatives—topics that reflect the growing impact and diversification of cooperative models.

Young & Emerging Scholars (YES) Workshop

On 15 October, as a pre-conference event, the Young & Emerging Scholars (YES) Workshop provided an interactive platform for young researchers and cooperative entrepreneurs. This workshop, held in collaboration with the Young Scholars Initiative (YSI) of iNET, New York, focused on capacity building, innovation, and the role of cooperatives in social enterprise. The event concluded with valuable feedback from industry experts and ample networking opportunities for participants.

Industry Panels

The event opened with a ceremony on 16 October, followed by an industry panel titled “Empowering Cooperatives Through Digital Transformation: Challenges and Opportunities.” This panel examined the role of technology in cooperatives, emphasizing efficiency, transparency, and inclusivity. Panelists presented insights into digital adoption, best practices, and policy recommendations to enhance cooperative digitalization.

This was followed by two agriculture-focused roundtables exploring sustainable practices. The Sustainable Agriculture & Agri-tech Roundtable discussed global best practices in tech adoption, value chain integration, and climate resilience, emphasising cooperatives’ role in food security. The Kerala-focused Roundtable targeted local issues in sustainable food security and food safety, considering challenges like fair pricing, climate impacts, and produce aggregation.

Insights from these discussions will inform a Roadmap for Sustainable Agriculture Development in Kerala, outlining pilot projects and solutions tailored to Kerala’s unique needs.

2024 Mauritz Bonow Young Scholars

The 2024 Mauritz Bonow Young Scholar Awards were announced at the conference. The first prize was awarded to Mr. Stefano Tortorici from Scuola Normale Superiore, Italy, for his paper titled "Redefining Platform Cooperatives: Identities, Dimensions, and Challenges." The second prize went to Mr. Kanchan Koner from The University of Burdwan, India, for his work on "Mapping the Research Landscape on Cooperative Marketing in Agriculture: Bibliometric Study."

A total of 40 full papers were evaluated, based on their contributions to cooperative sector, academic rigor, and robust research methodologies. The  Dr. Mauritz Bonow Award named after  former ICA President (1962-1975), honours his commitment to global cooperative education. Dr. Bonow's vision centred on empowering cooperatives through scholarly engagement and training, advocating for the essential role of educated cooperative leaders in fostering a transformative and informed cooperative movement.

Field Trip to Sargaalaya Kerala Arts & Crafts Village

Following the conference’s conclusion on 18 October, members of the Research Committee participated in a field visit to the Sargaalaya Kerala Arts & Crafts Village in Kozhikode. This initiative, managed by ULCCS, exemplifies the Responsible Tourism Model and supports approximately 100 artisans dedicated to preserving Kerala’s traditional crafts. Visiting this site offered a firsthand look at how cooperatives can drive local economic empowerment while safeguarding cultural heritage.

Key Takeaways

Several important insights emerged from the conference:

• The Role of Digital Tools – Digital transformation presents both opportunities and challenges for cooperatives in enhancing operations and member services.
• Sustainability in Agriculture – Cooperatives can play a pivotal role in promoting sustainable agricultural practices that support food security and environmental stewardship.
• Engaging Youth in Cooperatives – Dedicated platforms like the YES Workshop highlight the importance of engaging young scholars in cooperative research and innovation.
• Strengthening Cooperative Identity through Governance – Effective governance and member-driven practices are essential for maintaining the cooperative identity and building public trust.

The Conference underscored the collaborative spirit and resilience of the cooperative movement. As cooperatives continue to address critical development challenges, the knowledge exchanged at this conference will undoubtedly guide future research, policy, and practice within the sector.