Functions and Effect on Agricultural Technology Extension of Integrated Cooperatives

Integrated Cooperatives (IC) played an important role in agricultural development and rural social stability in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan of China.In Mainland China, the agricultural technology extension services faced many challenges in the areas including funding, operations, and balancing supply/demand.This article describes how IC impacted the operational efficiency.Research showed that IC could save transaction cost by diversification;alleviate divided departmental interests through mutual cooperation;minimize market risks with proper operational mechanisms and management;gain farmers' cooperation by providing varieties of services;and foster a consolidated community by " sharing the risks and profits" with the members.Hence, an efficient agricultural technology extension program could be realized with appropriate mechanisms and efforts in place.