Farmers flocking to the net

A rural internet portal says farmers are snapping up computers in response to a new range of rural services online.

RD1.COM chief executive Neal Murphy said his company has sold more than 400 personal computers to farmers in the last 10 weeks. The computer deal offered by RD1.COM included a start-up kit to get farmers online.

RD1.COM estimates around 46 per cent of farmers have internet connections. Around 60 per cent of farmers are thought to own computers.

"We've become an important PC retailer almost by accident," said Mr Murphy, referring to the strong demand from farmers for new PCs that are internet-ready.

He said that the response underscored that farmers knew the value of the internet to their business.

Mr Murphy said RD1.COM now has more than 12,000 registered users.