MATI COOPERATIVE
Cooperative development is one of the core strategies of MATI for holistic development of the impoverished and extremely impoverished communities. After extensive discussions with farmers, has initiated a program to establish farmers' cooperatives for the sustainable development of smallholder farmers. In April 2019, MATI launched this program, conducting market research to inform its approach.
Organization-wise, they have so far organized 2,283 women into cooperative groups from 26 villages and 5 wards in the Mymensingh City Corporation, namely, in Mymensingh Sadar and Nakla Upazilas of Mymensingh and Sherpur districts.
cooperative members jointly saved BDT 6,502,690, which was then distributed among the members in the form of loans. In 2023, MATI facilitated the disbursement of BDT 15,140,792 toward a wide array of livelihood improvement investments, including agriculture, crop preservation, agro-based entrepreneurship, small businesses, and other income-generating activities. It is an impactful initiative that has ensured increased incomes, improved health and sanitation, better education, and overall improvement in general well-being. Crucially, it also contributed significantly to the empowerment of women within such communities.