A cooperative is necessary for those who are struggling, and 20 years ago the situation was truly difficult. Farmers were able to grow high-quality grain, but there were no decent dryers or storage facilities. "We realised that no one would bring us anything on a silver platter and we had to fight for our place in the market ourselves. But to do that, we had to join forces," says Indulis Jansons, Chairman of the Board of VAKS, outlining the prerequisites for the company's emergence. He recently returned from Switzerland, where he spent two years working on farms. He could have stayed to build a career, but being a hired hand, even a well-paid one, in a foreign land did not seem appealing to Indulis. There was an excitement to prove that Latvian farmers have enough capacity and knowledge to manage successfully and develop business in their own country.

The founders of VAKS are grain growers from the Valmiera, Cēsis, Limbaži and Smiltene regions. We didn't want to sell our harvest by participating in low-bid auctions held by the few remaining millers and middlemen. The paltry payment was accompanied by dismissive remarks – so you've decided to grow grain in Vidzeme! Better go herd sheep!