Cooperative

Cooperative Friesland (CAF)

Work is one of the pillars of the Friesland Colony. Considering the need to find a domestic market for the products, the Friesland Cooperative was founded.

The aim was to improve the difficult economic situation through cooperation between the members. The cooperative was recognised by the national government in 1953.

The Friesland Cooperative is of fundamental importance for the members of the institution and also for the neighbours of the colony.

Cooperative Friesland (CAF)

Work is one of the pillars of the Friesland Colony. Considering the need to find a domestic market for the products, the Friesland Cooperative was founded.

The aim was to improve the difficult economic situation through cooperation between the members. The cooperative was recognised by the national government in 1953.

The Friesland Cooperative is of fundamental importance for the members of the institution and also for the neighbours of the colony.

The different sections of the cooperative are:

Administration

  1. Adminstration of the CAF

In 1941, a cooperative was founded by some Frieslanders. It was a private initiative in which 67 citizens of the colony participated. Many of the citizens of Friesland initially showed scepticism towards this Cooperative. In general, people did not see the need for this association.

However, the MCC (“Mennonite Central Committee”) insisted on a cooperative union of all citizens if Friesland wanted to continue to receive financial help from the MCC. Therefore, at the end of 1947, the citizens decided that from then on all citizens of Friesland should also be members of the Cooperative. The aim of this step was to improve cooperation in the economically difficult situation. This included, among other things, the promotion of agriculture, livestock breeding and industry. Technical production advice and the respective marketing have become a fundamental branch.

In 1953, the “Soc. Coop. Agr. Friesland Ltda.” (CAF) was legally recognised.

The management of the Cooperative consists of a president, the board of directors, which is composed of six members, and the supervisory board, with three members. The latter is elected democratically by the members of the same. The highest authority in the Cooperative’s affairs is the “General Assembly”.

In 2021, the Cooperative has about 402 members. It is of vital importance for its members as well as for the residents of the surrounding area. Through effective administrative work of the cooperative, it is possible to provide a comprehensive, good service to the respective members.

Through the FECOPROD association, the Friesland cooperative is also in contact with other cooperatives in Paraguay. The aim of the association is to strengthen the institutions and defend the economic and social interests of its members.

  1. Human Resources

Since April 2011, there has been a Human Resources Department (Recursos Humanos) in the Friesland Cooperative. This department is responsible for the duties and rights of the employees of the cooperative and the Civil Association.

  1. Accounting

The main task of the accounting department is the registration and control of business transactions. All current accounts of the cooperative are booked in this department. Each member receives a monthly account statement informing them of their current account balance. Among other things, other services as well as agricultural tax settlements are also carried out.

  1. Representation in Asunción

This department represents the interests of the Friesland Colony in the capital of Paraguay. Relations with the state and other public institutions, including contact with various banks and other cooperatives are maintained through the representation. Part of the marketing of agricultural production, a large part of the purchasing for the community and the organisation of mail is handled through the representation. In addition, assistance in emergencies and various other services are offered to the members.

Production

  1. Cattle stations

The estancias of the Friesland Cooperative form a department that makes a good profit every year. On the one hand, it serves as a financial reserve and on the other hand as a model and experimental station. This includes the estancias Ibaté, Morotí and Ypané. Among other purposes, the cattle of the citizens are bought up in order to market them collectively. Here, fattening and breeding cattle are bred, and efforts are made to improve genetics. The department is also responible for the marketing of meat in cooperation with the Neuland Cooperative. The citizens of Friesland deliver their cattle directly to the Neuland slaughterhouse. The aim of this cooperation is to enable the citizens to sell their cattle better and more effectively. The Estanzia also supplies the meat for the meat sales department of the cooperative.

  1. Compound feed factory

The compound feed factory has been producing compound feed for cows, pigs, poultry and horses since 1992. It also produces mineral salt.

The aim of this department is to provide a good product at reasonable prices for the livestock farmers and dairy farmers in Friesland and to provide jobs for people from the colony and the surrounding area. Today, most of the compound feed is marketed outside the colony.

  1. Dairy

In 1994, the “Frisco” dairy was inaugurated. Milk in cartons, yoghurt and “Dulce de Leche” were produced. The dairy was intended to help ensure economic stability for the small farmers.

However, due to the relatively small production volume and the strong competition, this branch of the business was struggling. Therefore, in 1998, a cooperation with the Menno colony was established. Since then, the dairy has been operating under the name “Trebol” in order to achieve better profitability for this branch. For some time now, small farmers from the surrounding area and milk producers from Durango have also been given the opportunity to deliver their milk to the dairy. This gives our neighbours another income opportunity.

  1. Cattle stations

The estancias of the Friesland Cooperative form a department that makes a good profit every year. On the one hand, it serves as a financial reserve and on the other hand as a model and experimental station. This includes the estancias Ibaté, Morotí and Ypané. Among other purposes, the cattle of the citizens are bought up in order to market them collectively. Here, fattening and breeding cattle are bred, and efforts are made to improve genetics. The department is also responible for the marketing of meat in cooperation with the Neuland Cooperative. The citizens of Friesland deliver their cattle directly to the Neuland slaughterhouse. The aim of this cooperation is to enable the citizens to sell their cattle better and more effectively. The Estanzia also supplies the meat for the meat sales department of the cooperative.

    1. Compound feed factory

    The compound feed factory has been producing compound feed for cows, pigs, poultry and horses since 1992. It also produces mineral salt.

    The aim of this department is to provide a good product at reasonable prices for the livestock farmers and dairy farmers in Friesland and to provide jobs for people from the colony and the surrounding area. Today, most of the compound feed is marketed outside the colony.

     

    1. Dairy

    In 1994, the “Frisco” dairy was inaugurated. Milk in cartons, yoghurt and “Dulce de Leche” were produced. The dairy was intended to help ensure economic stability for the small farmers.

    However, due to the relatively small production volume and the strong competition, this branch of the business was struggling. Therefore, in 1998, a cooperation with the Menno colony was established. Since then, the dairy has been operating under the name “Trebol” in order to achieve better profitability for this branch. For some time now, small farmers from the surrounding area and milk producers from Durango have also been given the opportunity to deliver their milk to the dairy. This gives our neighbours another income opportunity.

    Trade

    1. Supermarket

    In 2020, the new supermarket opened in the shopping centre. There, customers will find a large, reasonably priced range of items. Among other things, one can find food, hygiene products, shoes, electrical items, toys, school utensils, household items and fabrics. Special requests from customers are also accepted here and delivered whenever possible.

    1. Petrol stations

    Two petrol stations with the ECOP emblem offer their service in fuel sales to the citizens of Friesland and surrounding areas. One of them is located in the centre of the colony and the other one is located on the trunk road 10. At the latter one, there is also the possibility to do grocery shopping.

    1. Spare parts trade

    This department has also been located in the shopping centre since 2020 and offers the spare parts for various machines, as well as all items for power equipment, painting materials and much more for sale. In addition, the veterinary department is also located there.

    1. Building materials department

    In this department, customers are provided with the desired construction material for buildings, water pipes, fences, etc. In addition, various furniture and iron goods are also offered for sale here.

    1. Plant protection products

    This department offers plant protection products, seeds of arable crops and pastures, and all kinds of fertilisers for sale. Most of the products are delivered directly to the farmer’s field. Efforts are made to offer environmentally friendly products for sale and professional application is recommended.

    Marketing

    The cooperative provides assistance in the marketing of: Grains (soya, maize, sunflower, wheat and kafir) and livestock (sale of livestock to the slaughterhouse and the internal trade of livestock between individual livestock farmers). In 2007, concrete cooperation with the Neuland cooperative began in the area of livestock marketing.

    Services

    1. Silos

    At the end of the 1960s, CAF was the promoter of the government’s national wheat plan, the so-called “Plan Nacional de Trigo”. At that time, wheat cultivation caused the previous “chopping culture” to develop into mechanised agriculture in Paraguay. The grain production had to be stored safely. So CAF imported five metal silos, each with a capacity of 300 tonnes, from the US american company Butler. Somewhat later, the four “York” drying silos were added. This was one of the first metal silo systems in Paraguay.

      The task of the silo department is to receive, analyse, clean, store in drying facilities and load the agricultural products.

      1. Consultancy service (DAF – Departamento Agropecuario Friesland)

      The mission of the Consultancy service is to provide professional, technical advice to citizens in the various areas of agriculture, forestry and livestock management. The aim is to promote sustainable competitive agriculture, and at the same time a healthy environmental awareness among the members.

      1. Transport

      This department is responsible for shipping the products manufactured in Friesland as well as for transporting the purchase from Asunción to Friesland. Several trucks of different sizes are in service to transport goods and fuel.

      1. Roads

      An important service is the maintenance of the roads within the colony and partly also to the lands of the citizens that have been acquired over the years. Using several path machines, this department endeavours to keep the pastoral roads in good condition as far as possible. About 200 km of roads are maintained.

      Through a collaboration between the colony’s administration and the Ministry of Roads, the access road from San Alfredo to Central was asphalted in 2012.

        The task of the silo department is to receive, analyse, clean, store in drying facilities and load the agricultural products.

        1. Consultancy service (DAF – Departamento Agropecuario Friesland)

        The mission of the Consultancy service is to provide professional, technical advice to citizens in the various areas of agriculture, forestry and livestock management. The aim is to promote sustainable competitive agriculture, and at the same time a healthy environmental awareness among the members.

        1. Transport

        This department is responsible for shipping the products manufactured in Friesland as well as for transporting the purchase from Asunción to Friesland. Several trucks of different sizes are in service to transport goods and fuel.

        1. Roads

        An important service is the maintenance of the roads within the colony and partly also to the lands of the citizens that have been acquired over the years. Using several path machines, this department endeavours to keep the pastoral roads in good condition as far as possible. About 200 km of roads are maintained.

        Through a collaboration between the colony’s administration and the Ministry of Roads, the access road from San Alfredo to Central was asphalted in 2012.

        1. Finance Department

        The aim of this department is to support the departments of the Cooperative, as well as the individual members, with loans and to maintain contact with the banks.

        1. Hospital Tabea

        In 1941, four years after the founding of the colony, the construction of a maternity ward began under great economic difficulties. A doctor was first employed in 1949.  Over the years, with strong support from the citizens, the hospital building “Sanatorio Mennonita” was built and provided with modern instruments and equipment. In the 1950s, the hospital was renamed “Hospital Tabea” and registered by the Ministry of Health in 1992.

        A new hospital was inaugurated in 2010. It contains several consulting rooms, a laboratory, an X-ray room, a fully equipped operating theatre and can accommodate up to 20 patients.

        The professional staff strives to care for the sick to the best of their knowledge and ability. In addition, a wide variety of specialists come every month to provide services at the hospital.

        The hospital is not only a great help to the citizens of the colony, but also to all the residents of the surrounding areas. People who belong to the Carolina Cooperative receive a subsidy on medical treatment and medicines.

        The costs of the hospital are covered by financial contributions from the patients and the Cooperative. For some years, the hospital has also been cooperating with the IPS (Instituto de Prevención Social), the only state health insurance company.

        Education Committee (CEF)

        The tasks of the Education Committee are very diverse. In this area, courses for adults, as well as entry courses for new members of the Cooperative are organised and carried out. Scholarships and book allowances are given to students and courses are organised for the employees of the Cooperative and the Civil Association.