In the Philippines, there is an abundance of agricultural cooperatives and I am happy to note that they are starting to embrace ICT. This is good news considering the fact that 10 years ago, the villages where these agricultural cooperatives are located were not yet energized.

The Caridad Sur Farmers Cooperative is located in the municipality of Llanera, Province of Nueva Ecija. Two years ago, the cooperative decided to purchase a personal computer in order to improve its record and bookkeeping functions. Littler did the members thought that this new hardware will usher the cooperative in the new era of information revolution.

The cooperative was able to develop its own website where the treasurer and auditor regularly post the financial statements of the cooperative. This ensured transparency in the fiscal affairs of the coopertative. 

The leaders of the cooperative also took advantage of the new technology in educating the members. Thanks to the Open University of the nearby state agricultural university, members were able to enrol basic courses in rice production, bookkeeping, community development.

With the devolution of the extension delivery system to local government units, the Philippine Department of Agriculture can tap local coopertives in disseminating new agricultural technologies! 

IRRI is located in the Philippines and yet up to now, the country is not yet self-sufficient in rice production. Maybe the use of ICT in local agricultural cooperatives can help improve efficiency in rice production.