· More discussion is needed on software development for cooperative business promotion. For example, manuals have been developed for cooperative management, but now manuals and software are needed for the business side of agricultural cooperatives.
· Improvement is needed in systems and procedures as well as cutting down on red tape.
· We have to evolve on our own, and "stand on our own two feet". There is a need for stronger participation by the private sector which has shown great interest.
· Collaboration is needed on software development to share the costs and to expand regional trade networks. Fair trade with agricultural cooperatives is leading the way.
· Exploring the implementation of IT in cooperatives to support hardware/software, training, technical support, etc.
· Hardware/software durability is important to reduce long-term costs.
· There is a need to identify a national IT office or officer to receive queries and advise networks.
· An IT focal point is needed to provide policy advice to members and promote operational uniformity.
· Strategic criteria for the introduction of IT for ACED need to be developed to be used in promotion, benchmarking, software development, etc.
· There is a need for the introduction of computers in rural schools which could be used by agricultural cooperatives for enterprise development purposes.
