ANALYSIS AND SYSTEMATIZATION OF THE EXPERIENCES GAINED DURING THE VISITS TO THEESPERANÇA AGRICULTURAL COOPERATIVE,BALACENDE COMMUNE, DANDE MUNICIPALITY

The purposeof this article is to present and analyze the experiences derived from the visits carried out at the Esperança do Balacende Agricultural Cooperative, located in the Balacende Commune, Dande Municipality,Bengo Province, and composed of a total of 250 member farmers. Through semi-structured interviews and direct observation, it was possible to identify a set of constraints that undermine the cooperative’s productive and organizational performance.Among the main challenges observed is the geographic isolationresulting from the absence of adequate road infrastructure, a factor that significantly hinders the outflow of agricultural products. This limitation also creates major difficulties in product conservation and storage, leading to accelerated deterioration, despite the cooperative’s relative proximity to the municipal administrative center.In light of the difficulties identified, the implementation of aRural Extension Projectis proposed,aimed at strengthening the cooperative’s technical and organizationalcapacity. The project seeks to equip farmers with skills in food preservation and processing, seed improvement, and the sustainable management of soil fertility. These interventions are expected to contribute to increased agricultural productivity and, at the same time, promote rural entrepreneurship, thereby fostering economic autonomy and local development.