A freer and less regulated market for agriculture is envisaged for the nineties while agricultural cooperatives will not receive the same degree of protection and financial aid from the government as in the past. Surviving this changed situation will require a greater degree of strategic decision-making ability from cooperative managements and boards of directors. This article firstly describes the strategic management paradigm and secondly proposes a strategic management model which takes account of the changing environment and the unique nature of cooperatives.