CDP IN ACTION

Empowering Growth in Peru: Celebrating the Impact of the Cooperative Development Program

By Marcel Petrutiu, URUS Director of Global Development 

In 2019, the URUS Global Development Department embarked on an exciting journey in Peru, launching the GENEX Cooperative Development Program (CDP). Funded by USAID, this initiative was not just about introducing new practices but about transforming lives and communities in regions that had long been overlooked.

When we first set foot in Huánuco, San Martin, and Pasco, we knew we were entering unfamiliar territory. These rapidly growing areas of Peru, both in the number of people and cows, stretch from the very high-altitude regions of the Andes, where cows graze at over 13,000 feet (4,000 meters) above sea level, to the jungle forest of the Amazon, where cows graze on new tropical. The 21 farmer groups we partnered with were loosely organized cooperatives and associations struggling with governance and lacking clear business plans for sustainable growth.

Where others saw obstacles, we saw opportunities. With 15 years of experience in CDP programs, our team understood the challenges local farmers faced, such as low genetic quality, most of the cows being local “criollo” with limited potential for milk production; low or no uptake of artificial insemination (AI), along with lack of access to the service and product; and poor management, including feed and health practices. Our team worked tirelessly to improve cattle genetics, teaching and guiding AI practices to boost milk production. The results have been nothing short of remarkable. AI usage skyrocketed from just 10 units per month to over 400, a testament to the commitment and hard work of the farmers and our team.

Beyond genetics, we also focused on soil health. By adopting AgSource’s soil analysis and management practices, farmers saw significant improvements in pasture yields and quality—an essential step toward long-term sustainability.

As we closed this chapter of Peru CDP in August 2024, the impact on the 21 cooperatives and their members is clear. The aggregate annual sales of all the CDP cooperatives have soared from $5.5 million to over $8 million. Perhaps even more inspiring is the growth in member equity, which has risen from less than $20,000 in 2019 to over $2 million today. These numbers are more than just statistics—they reflect the resilience, dedication, and newfound prosperity of the farmers we’ve had the privilege to work with.

As the 21 cooperatives transition to a commercial relationship with Peru’s distributors of GENEX and Alta Genetics, we’re confident that the foundation we’ve helped build will continue to support their growth for years to come. The success of this program is a testament to what can be achieved when we combine our expertise with the strength of local communities, and it exemplifies the values that define us at URUS.

Figure 1: Small-scale farmers in the Andes. Breed of choice: Brown Swiss
Figure 2: Farmers in the Peru Amazon. Breed of choice: Girolando
Figure 3: One of the 21 groups from the Peru project – Cooperativa Agraria Montevideo, with URUS Business Development Administrator, Christa Hoffman.
Figure 4: CDP staff and cooperative leaders at the close-out workshop in Tingo Maria, Huánuco

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