Cooperativism agriculture: the case of top four cooperatives in Region 4 [Southern Tagalog], Philippines

The cooperatives included in this study are matured and stable. LIMCOMA Multipurpose Cooperative in Lipa City [Batangas, Philippines] has more than 31 years of experience in the business of cooperatives and feedmilling; CAFFMACO [Cavite Farmers Feed Milling and Marketing Cooperative] in Silang Cavite has more than 25 years of experience; SIDC [Soro-soro Ibaba Development Cooperative] in Batangas City has about 32 years in cooperatives; and PGMC [Padre Garcia Multi-purpose Cooperative] in Padre Garcia, Batangas has about 23 years of experience. LIMCOMA, CAFFMACO, and SIDC which main line of business is feedmilling have continuously modernized operation by having investment in mechanized and automated feedmilling and support facilities. They also developed and expanded business enterprises to expand the demand for feeds, and improve farmers' poultry and livestock production and marketing. Consumer goods and services are also provided to members. PGMC which specializes in credit business, continue to expand the business by innovating on loan services, capital build-up and savings mobilization. The four case cooperatives have multi-million assets, networks, and net surpluses. Volume of sales (2000) were huge: LIMCOMA had P1.1 billion; SIDC had almost a billion (P0.92 billion); and CAFFMACO had P0.41 billion. By any measure they are large cooperatives with multiple services to members. All the case cooperatives are profitable, liquid, and solvent. They declare dividends on patronage and share capital. They expand enterprises, invest in infrastructure and facilities, invest in skills and knowledge acquisition of members, employees and officers; and participate in the enhancement of well-being of communities where they belong, all of which are in support of the business of the cooperative and livelihood of the members. It is evident that the case cooperatives are contributory to the improvement of business and economic well-being of the members. Members have access to economical, quality, and reliable source of feeds and veterinary products. Market for the products of members are also developed. Members have also access to reliable and low cost produce and consumer credit. Most of all, they are owners of the enterprises which serve them. Consequently, the modernization of the cooperative business, and improvement of the economic and social well-being of the members contribute to the community's economic and social well-being. The cases presented in this study have one common denominator: that the cooperatives were conceived, initiated, nurtured, and managed by local talents and resources in accordance to a felt need for such cooperatives. The case cooperatives from Batangas and Cavite were pioneered and matured by men who are active players in the industry; have the technical and professional preparations; have resources, respect and influence in the community; and have commitment to develop cooperatives. The business of cooperative is pursued according to local visions and capabilities