Innovation and improvement of collective economic efficiency

Mushroom farming at Tuan Hiep Mushroom Production and Handicraft Cooperative, Hong Thuan Commune (Giao Thuy).

Hai Thanh Livestock and Aquaculture Cooperative, Hai Hung Commune (Hai Hau) was established in December 2019 with 18 members, with 24.7 hectares in the planned area for converting low-yield rice fields to aquaculture. Members of the Cooperative produce and trade in diverse models such as: aquaculture, pig and cattle farming, giant freshwater prawn farming, super egg-laying duck farming, medicinal plants, fruit trees and vegetables... On average, each day, the Cooperative supplies the market with more than 20,000 duck eggs, 1,500 kg of buffalo and beef meat, 200 kg of clean vegetables and fruits, a herd of 300 or more pigs, and 5,000 or more meat ducks. Every year, the Cooperative also harvests over 90 tons of fish and over 3 tons of giant freshwater prawns. The cooperative's duck egg products, branded "Countryside Duck Eggs", have been recognized as products that meet 3-star OCOP quality and VietGAP quality. The cooperative has gradually increased the income of its members, and has also attracted more than 60 main workers and 50 seasonal workers. The members of the cooperative have linked together in production stages such as providing seeds, materials, animal feed, sharing experiences, scientific and technical advances; and at the same time, signing direct contracts with businesses and companies in product consumption, contributing to reducing production costs and increasing income. From 2021, the cooperative has opened and launched Thanh Hoa Safe Agricultural Products Store. This is a place to introduce and promote typical agricultural products, specialties of the hometown and the cooperative to the market; providing many consumers with branded, reputable products, ensuring food hygiene and safety. The store has created a value chain link from production, processing, and product consumption for the members of the cooperative, gradually affirming the quality, reputation, and role of the cooperative.

Tan Khanh Trading Cooperative, Minh Tan Commune (Vu Ban) was established in March 2021 with 16 members participating in the livestock and aquaculture industry. Initially, the Cooperative focused on farming areas with an area of ​​over 10 hectares, with an average scale of each farming area of ​​over 3 hectares using intensive farming methods. The Cooperative has renovated the irrigation system and ponds, selected high-value farming species such as black carp, snakehead fish, and 60% of the area is focused on raising ornamental fish (Japanese Koi fish), so the income and profit are 2.5 to 3 times higher than rice farming. Based on the agricultural restructuring development plan, especially the development of key products, clean, organic, and biosafe agricultural products, the Cooperative Board of Directors has developed a plan to develop an aquaculture production area of ​​10 hectares, and expand to 15 hectares by 2023. The Cooperative Board of Directors and agricultural technical staff also closely direct and provide specific instructions to participating members throughout the production process, ensuring that the conversion model achieves high economic efficiency, and at the same time acts as an intermediary unit to supply materials, breeds, and organize product consumption links between members of the Cooperative and purchasing units...

In addition to the above two cooperatives, in recent years, the province has had many dynamic, creative, innovative cooperatives in management and development of effective forms of production and business organization. Typically: Nghia Binh Agricultural Production and Service Cooperative (Nghia Hung) with a traditional chain of production, processing and consumption of high-quality rice; was honored to be awarded the title "Cooperative Star 2024". Dinh Moc Circular Agricultural Economic Cooperative, Giao Tan Commune (Giao Thuy) focuses on agricultural production operating according to a high-quality circular process, with 8 products achieving 3-star OCOP. The cooperative's products have been connected to supermarket chains, restaurants, wholesale markets, kitchens... stably and effectively, and are trusted by customers. Nam Cuong Agricultural Production and Service Cooperative, Yen Cuong Commune (Y Yen), produces key products associated with the value chain, linking production and consumption of clean and safe vegetables and fruits according to VietGAP standards; Processing straw, producing and consuming organic fertilizers using Japanese technology. Bon Thuan Cooperative, Hop Hung Commune (Vu Ban) is a joint venture in purchasing, processing and consuming rice, and is also the main focal point in the production and consumption chain of Khanh Hung Cooperative Union...

By the end of 2024, the province will have about 1,995 cooperatives in various fields of social life with nearly 8,200 members; 530 cooperatives are operating with 376,871 members and 7,757 regular workers. To improve the efficiency of collective economy, the Provincial Cooperative Union has encouraged cooperatives to apply scientific and technological achievements, especially varieties, biotechnology, preservation and processing technology, etc. to increase productivity and reduce costs; support the construction of new cooperative models associated with value chains, closely linked with businesses to expand the market; pay attention to training and improving management capacity for cooperative staff; support cooperatives to participate in fairs, promote trade, bring cooperative products to e-commerce platforms... In 2024, from the capital of the National Employment Fund, the Provincial Cooperative Union provided revolving loans to 12 projects with a total loan capital of 2.6 billion VND. The Provincial Cooperative Union also advised and mobilized a number of cooperatives, enterprises in the Cooperative Directors Club, member enterprises to participate in a number of activities connecting supply and demand, promoting and introducing products for cooperatives at a number of fairs and trade promotion conferences. In addition, the Provincial Cooperative Union continued to sign a cooperation agreement with the Netherlands Development Organization Agriterra to advise and support improving the management capacity of the staff to build a new cooperative model associated with building an effective value chain for 3 cooperatives in the districts of Ý Yên, Nam Trực and Nghĩa Hưng in the period of 2023-2026.

Thanks to active innovation, improving operational efficiency, and collective economy, cooperatives have made efforts to overcome difficulties and challenges, proactively adjust production and business scale and develop to a new level. Up to now, the whole province has 84 cooperatives applying common production processes; 19 cooperatives applying high technology in agricultural production; 63 cooperatives have built a chain linking production and product consumption with enterprises; 51 cooperatives with 102 products owned by cooperatives have been recognized by the Provincial People's Committee as OCOP products, ranked from 3-4 stars; 30 cooperatives have invested in machinery and technical equipment for production, harvesting, preliminary processing, processing and preservation of agricultural products. There is 1 cooperative and 1 enterprise of the province that are the focal point for connecting production with the value chain of rice processing and consumption with over 30 agricultural cooperatives in the area. The total revenue of cooperatives is estimated at 4.1 billion VND/year. Average profit is estimated at 190 million VND/cooperative. Average income per member/worker is estimated at 42 million VND/person/year.

Article and photos: Lam Hong

Source: https://baonamdinh.vn/kinh-te/202504/doi-moiva-nang-cao-hieu-quakinh-te-tap-the-aac00c3/