Reinvigorating the Sta. Lucia Agrarian Reform Community Multipurpose Cooperative in Dolores, Quezon Province, Philippines: A Cornucopia of Options

This paper picks up from the results of a previous study written in 2011 by the major author. It focuses on the status of the cooperative after the recommendations of the previous study were implemented and presents various strategic alternatives for the continued operational and financial sustainability of the Sta. Lucia Agrarian Reform Community Multipurpose Cooperative (SARCMPC). Using the previous study as well as primary and secondary data from 2011 to 2014, this paper, which utilizes the case study approach in analyzing the overall management of SARC-MPC’s current business ventures, aimed to conduct an external and internal audit of SARC-MPC, identify its major issues and present several courses of action for SARC – MPC to consider as it charts its future. Data was gathered through key informant interviews and secondary sources after which, data was analyzed descriptively using trend, financial ratio, SWOT and quantitative preference matrix analyses. An array of strategic options are offered for SARCMPC management to decide on the cooperative’s direction towards sustainability

Evaluation of Bambara groundnut varieties for off-season production in Zimbabwe

Early planting of bambara groundnuts (Vigna subterranea L. Verdc) in the southern Africa enables farmers to fetch premium prices before the markets are flooded with produce from the main summer growing period.However, adaptation of the crop outside the main growing season has not been studied in Zimbabwe. Therefore, this study evaluated 20 varieties at four planting dates covering contrasting temperatures and daylength, at Harare Research Station, during 2000/2001. Planting date was the main plot factor replicated three times and cultivar the subplot. Standard agronomic practices were followed and adequate moisture supplied through supplementary irrigation. Both the planting dates and variety main effects were significant (

Revitalizing Peanut Farming in Enrile, Cagayan, Philippines

The sustainability of a peanut farming community hinges on understanding the key production players in the supply chain. This agend-asetting paper focused on presenting and analyzing the production and marketing experiences of 75 peanut farmers in Enrile, Cagayan, Philippines, using the case methodology through farmer surveys, key informant interviews, and secondary sources of information. This paper aims to present sustainability perspectives to revitalize peanut farming in the area and address the issues encountered in the production and marketing of peanuts. The results of this study showed that peanut farming in the community can be revitalized and sustained through instituting effective flood control measures, improving peanut farming practices, employing market-driven strategies supported by supply chain and quality management, nurturing the next generation of peanut farmers, and establishing better linkages with support institutions and industry

Cooperative Business Failures in Batangas Province, Philippines: A Postmortem Analysis

Cooperatives all over the world are said to be imbued with inherent weaknesses and challenges, and therefore, steering these entities towards sustainability is seen as an uphill climb. This paper delves into the reasons why some cooperatives in the Philippines dissolve or stop operating. Specifically, the study aimed to review the literature on factors affecting cooperative business sustainability and failures, to present and analyze two cases of failed multipurpose cooperatives and offer recommendations on operating cooperatives for their continued sustainability. Data was gathered through key informant interviews and secondary sources, and analyzed using the case approach and descriptive analysis. Extant literature primarily pinpointed issues such as poor management, lack of capital, property rights, and portfolio problems as the culprits behind cooperative conversions, failures and restructurings. What made the two multipurpose cooperatives unsustainable were the insufficiency of funds needed to meet Cooperatives Development Authority (CDA) requirements, delinquency of members and their inactive participation in cooperative affairs, mismanagement of resources, absence of a viable marketing system and the lack of a capable financial manager. Cultivating managerial and leadership skills, improving governance, establishing private sector and government linkages and support, encouraging participatory membership, utilizing an effective marketing system, proper resource management and expanding financial knowhow are suggested to achieve cooperative sustainability