We visited… The DIRCA congress in Angers

Leading Through Uncertainty: Key Takeaways from the DIRCA Annual Congress

As agricultural and agri-food cooperatives face a series of profound changes — environmental transitions, regulatory pressures, and technological upheaval — the question of leadership has never been more central. The 2025 DIRCA Congress, the annual gathering of senior executives from the agricultural and agri-food cooperative sector, offered a valuable opportunity to reflect collectively on these challenges.

Stéphane Loiseau and Philippe Carastamatis attended the 80th National Congress of DIRCA in Angers. They gained valuable insights into a sector seeking agility and practical solutions, and identified three major takeaways from the discussions.

Strengthening Governance Through Leadership Duos

The President / CEO tandem remains a cornerstone of effective cooperative governance. Dominique Chargé, President of La Coopération Agricole, emphasised how this partnership relies on a delicate balance between political legitimacy and operational effectiveness.

Such a duo can only function if nurtured over time — through trust, complementary roles, and professional support. It serves as both an internal cohesion driver and an external resilience factor, especially in a context where strategic decisions often need to be made amid uncertainty.

Rethinking Strategy in the Face of Disruption

In response to external shocks — whether climatic, health-related, geopolitical, or linked to market volatility — cooperatives are being urged to move beyond traditional planning frameworks.

François Cazals, professor at HEC Paris, advocated for a more “antifragile” approach to strategy, inspired by the work of Nassim Nicholas Taleb. The aim is no longer just to adapt to crises, but to become stronger because of them. This mindset requires fostering a culture of experimentation, embracing uncertainty, and viewing unpredictability as fertile ground for growth.

Reconnecting the HR Function with the Field

Human Resources also play a key role in this capacity for evolution. Cooperatives are no longer seeking rigid models or ready-made answers. They expect HR departments to be agile, locally grounded, forward-thinking — yet also quick to listen and respond.

In a cooperative model often rooted in local belonging and tangible social impact, the search for meaning at work is becoming increasingly important. It reflects the expectations of younger generations, as well as managers seeking alignment between their personal values and professional responsibilities.

Leaderia is proud to have been a partner of this year’s DIRCA Congress, which continues to champion excellence in France’s agricultural and agri-food sectors. The movement has seen steady growth in membership — with around sixty new members this year — now representing 600 organisations.