The Role of Agricultural Cooperatives in Achieving Sustainable development: case study of Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate

The study aims to identify the role of agricultural cooperatives in achieving sustainable development in Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate. The most significant findings revealed that there were approximately 370 agricultural cooperatives, 324 thousand members, and 16 million pounds in the governorate, accounting for approximately 6.51% of the total. The average for the study period (2004-2022) was approximately 5,693 associations, 4,580 thousand members, and 207 million pounds, representing 7.07% and 7.72% of the total number of agricultural associations, members, and capital in the Republic, respectively. The study also explained that cooperative societies for reclaimed lands in the governorate ranked first, followed by agricultural reform societies, and then agricultural credit societies, with an increase in their respective numbers of approximately 743.75%, 51.14%, and 0.81%. It also showed that agricultural reform associations ranked first, followed by reclaimed land associations, then agricultural credit associations, with percentage increases in their capital amounting to about 37.54%, 13.04%, and 3.45%, respectively. It also explained that the most important variables affecting the performance of agricultural cooperatives in the governorate were the total loans, the number of members, the investment loans granted by the Agricultural Bank of Egypt to agricultural cooperatives according to the deadlines, and the number of specific agricultural associations during the study period. The study recommended enhancing the Board of Directors' strengths, seizing opportunities, and improving their efficiency, all of which will impact the agricultural cooperatives' ability to contribute to sustainable development in the governorate.