Cooperation as the Foundation of Latvian Rural Development
Anete Rulle, board member of LPKS “Provinces Produkti”, emphasizes that cooperation between farmers and institutions is vital for rural vitality. She argues that trust and information exchange are more important than fear of penalties.
In recent years, farmers and local producers have often complained about the difficulties caused by state requirements and institutional attitudes. However, Anete Rulle, a board member of LPKS “Provinces Produkti”, believes this is not a battle where someone must win. She stresses that farmers, producers, the Food and Veterinary Service, the Rural Support Service, and municipalities all work toward a common goal – safe food, a well-organized environment, and fair business in Latvia.
The problem is often not the requirements themselves, but a lack of information and fear of making mistakes. Many producers want to understand the rules, not break them. Rulle emphasizes that state institutions should focus more on explaining and consulting rather than punishing, as trust yields better results than fear. At the same time, entrepreneurs have a responsibility to meet quality standards so that Latvian food is trusted both locally and abroad.
Cooperatives like LPKS “Provinces Produkti” play a key role in fostering cooperation. They organize seminars, experience exchange trips, and excursions to help producers understand requirements and develop their businesses. Rulle notes that visits to other EU countries have brought back ideas that help Latvian entrepreneurs grow. The most valuable outcomes are not just knowledge but also contacts and mutual trust.
The recent Kurzeme Home Producers Forum demonstrated how much people need to meet and share experiences. Such gatherings generate new ideas and partnerships. Current challenges – climate change, animal diseases, rising costs, bureaucracy, and competition from imports – require cooperation, not mutual distrust. Rulle points out that behind every local product stands a family living in the countryside, paying taxes, and sustaining the regions. She believes in a Latvia where people are not afraid to ask for advice and jointly seek solutions, and where state institutions and entrepreneurs are partners.
