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Abstract
The paper aimed to analyze the roles and implications of cooperatives,
negotiations and networks in the implementation of the National Impact
Zone (NIZ) Program for dairy buffalo development in the Philippines. It
detailed how the program evolved from a series of negotiations involving the
Philippine Carabao Center (PCC), cooperatives, individual farmers, local
officials and other stakeholders. Through successful negotiations, several
actors were enlisted until a network of relations shaped up. Negotiations and
networks anchored on the cooperatives and as facilitated or managed by the
intermediaries (mainly the NIZ Management Staff and field technicians from
the PCC), have resulted in integrative agreements regarding adoption of
particular innovations, marketing strategies, and policy implementation.
Continuous improvement and sustainability of the NIZ Program depends on
the effective management of its network. Strategic alliance with other actors
or private groups to help in the business aspect of the NIZ operations is also
recommended.