By Kimberly S. Miguel

The Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), in partnership with the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) in Batac, is conducting a series of training on cooperative development in barangay Bugasi in Banna, Ilocos Norte.

MMSU, through the College of Business, Economics and Accountancy (CBEA) and the Extension Directorate (ED), launched the program titled “Empowering the Zanjera Sto. Niño Agriculture Cooperative through Cooperative Development” last October 8. 

The extension project aims to increase intellectual capacity, improve governance and management skills of the agriculture cooperative’s stakeholders. 

Dr. Errol John Valdez, chair of the program’s technical working group, said the training aims to strengthen the cooperative’s human resources. Particularly, it will enable the leaders to perform excellently in providing services to their members and customers, toward becoming a unique business entity. 

The CBEA’s Department of Cooperative Management spearheads the training series to run from October until next year. It is under the Community and Enterprise Development Program, the college’s banner extension program. 

Dr. Valdez bared the extension program emerged from the cooperative’s Needs Assessment Survey conducted by PhilRice - Batac. 

The PhilRice’s needs assessment survey is part of its Business Innovations System (RiceBIS) community program that educates farmers about rice production technologies combined with marketing approaches that build their business capacity. 

CBEA has also assisted the Rayuray Farmers Agriculture Cooperative in barangay Rayuray, Batac City. (StratCom)

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