Bright spot of vocational development in Hoa Binh commune

Duong Hien Cooperative produces a variety of products.

Ms. Truong Thi Hien, Deputy Director of Duong Hien Cooperative, said: I have known the water fern weaving profession since I was a child and have loved the profession ever since. When I grew up, I went to school and became a preschool teacher; although I have been a teacher for more than 10 years, I have always been passionate about the water fern weaving profession. Realizing that the water fern weaving profession is increasingly developing, while my husband's hometown in Hoa Binh commune has an abundant labor force, I decided to quit my teaching job and return to my hometown to open a handicraft production facility. Since 2020, I have created jobs for nearly 1,000 workers in and outside the province. Last February, I established the Cooperative with the aim of promoting production and business, creating jobs, and increasing income for members and rural workers.

Recalling the first day of opening the workshop, Ms. Hien shared: At that time, the neighbors were very happy, almost everyone from 55 years old and above came to my house to learn the trade to earn extra income. I kept opening classes one after another until the villagers mastered the trade. This job is very suitable for the elderly, if you are diligent and hardworking, you will earn 100,000 VND/day, if you work hard, you will earn an average of 1.5 - 2 million VND/month.

Ms. Vu Thi Ly, 66 years old, Viet Hung village said: Before, I didn't have a side job, I only focused on farming, until now I still plant 1 acre of rice but still take the time to weave water hyacinth, every day I only sit for about 4 hours and I can weave 7-8 products. On average, I earn nearly 2 million VND per month for daily expenses. This job is also very simple, I only need to learn for a few days and I can weave any model. The best thing is that when the Covid-19 epidemic broke out, many places had no work to do, but I still had a steady job, thanks to which my life improved.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Toan, Viet Hung village said: Before, I only worked with a few fields, but since I started a side job, I have stopped growing rice and focused my time on weaving water hyacinth, so I earn 3 million VND per month, and some months, the unit price is high, I earn more than 4 million VND. Thanks to that, I feel very secure and excited to do the job, hoping that Duong Hien Cooperative will develop more and more.

Ms. Vu Thi Thua, Trung Hoa village shared: At the age of 60, I have no business to hire me, but I have a side job at home, so I am very happy. Since the water fern weaving profession was introduced in the commune, whenever I have free time, I sit and weave, and earn over 1.5 million VND per month.

According to Ms. Truong Thi Hien, the most favorable condition for weaving water fern is the abundant human resources, the people are hard-working and diligent, but it also requires meticulousness, perseverance, and dexterity to meet the requirements of orders. To ensure stable development, the cooperative has cooperated with many businesses to export products to the UK, US, Canada, and Japan. In addition, the products must always ensure quality and aesthetics according to customer requirements. During the process, there were many difficulties, especially with some low-priced orders, the cooperative had to accept losses and pay higher wages to people to ensure delivery progress. In addition, the cooperative also purchases products in Ninh Binh and Thanh Hoa to diversify export products. On average, each month the cooperative imports 3-4 tons of water fern, earning about 10,000 products of all kinds, achieving revenue of over 500 million VND, deducting costs, the average monthly profit is 30-40 million VND. In the near future, the cooperative is expected to rent space to expand its production factory, aiming to export directly to foreign markets.

Ms. Mai Thi Hong Hue, Chairwoman of the Women's Union of Hoa Binh Commune, affirmed: Duong Hien Cooperative is a bright spot in developing local occupations, creating jobs, increasing income, and improving the lives of many women during the off-season. The Association will always accompany to remove difficulties and obstacles, creating the most favorable conditions for the Cooperative to develop.