b'asked & answered FOUNDATIONS FOR CHANGEWhat is a Cooperative? Cooperatives create foundations for change worldwide. But what exactly are they?By Aime Knight, World Ark writerNutan Devi is no stranger to challenges.By the time she was in eighth grade, she was married. And while juggling household chores with hours of laborious farm work, she continued studyingin secretto complete her education. Nutan lives in Indias northeastern state of Bihar, where many families rely on agriculture for their livelihoods. But for smallholder farmers like her, the PHOTO BY PR ANAB K . AICH path to success is laden with obstacles. Working alone is isolating and many fail to earn a sufficient income to afford basic needs. Farmers often struggle with high rates of poverty, limited access to markets, and low productivity due to a lack of resources, like high quality seeds or equipment. But just as Nutan is no stranger to challenges, We always encourageshe is no stranger to overcoming them. Today, she all members to uniteis breaking the mold: Along with nine fellow women and move forward withfarmers, Nutan serves as director of the Kamla courage. It is important toFarmer Producer Company Limited, a farmer-owned believe in ourselves. Weagricultural business.This company works to support [the] most needy approach difficulties withand vulnerable women farmers, she said. We stand a mindset of overcomingfor them, just like they stand for us.them. The mantra isThe women-run company, formed in 2018 simple: Find a solution.when several self-help groups registered as a There is no giving up.formal business with Heifers support, is defying expectations and paving a productive path forwardNUTAN DEVI for its members. 38| HOLIDAY 2022'