Promoting the role of collective economy and cooperatives in economic development

In recent years, the collective economy (KTTT) with the core being cooperatives has improved its operational efficiency, gradually affirming its important role in building new rural areas in localities. There have been hundreds of KTTT and cooperative models operating effectively, creating jobs for rural workers, contributing to the shift in labor structure, and promoting socio-economic development.

Promoting the role of collective economy and cooperatives in socio-economic development Tan Phuc handicraft cooperative (Nong Cong) creates jobs for hundreds of workers in rural areas.

Assessing the role of collective economy in general and cooperatives in particular, comrade Le Hong Hai, Vice Chairman of the Provincial Cooperative Union, affirmed: Cooperatives are increasingly demonstrating their role in socio-economic development, increasing income for workers and a significant number of disadvantaged people in rural areas, contributing to ensuring social security, security, order and safety, and building a great national solidarity bloc. In addition, cooperatives have mobilized diverse resources to invest in developing infrastructure to serve production and contribute to the process of building new rural areas in localities. Many new-style cooperatives and specialized cooperatives have been established and have played a good role in leading and supporting members to develop the economy effectively and sustainably.

Tan Phuc Handicraft Cooperative (Nong Cong) was established in 2018, producing and trading handicrafts, which is one of the typical examples in creating jobs and promoting socio-economic development in rural areas. Ms. Nguyen Thi Huong, Director of the Cooperative, said: The Cooperative focuses on developing the production and trading of handicrafts for export. Through diversifying product designs, the Cooperative has proactively sought partners and increased orders to create jobs for workers in rural areas. Currently, the Cooperative has created jobs for about 500 workers in 5 districts and towns, including Nong Cong, Nhu Thanh, Thieu Hoa, Quang Xuong and Nghi Son town, with an average income of 2.5 to 5 million VND/person/month. At the same time, it contributes to the locality's completion of poverty reduction and income criteria... in the New Rural Development Program.

As the first commune-level cooperative in the province, Phu Loc Agricultural Service Cooperative (Hau Loc) has always been a pioneer and leader in developing sustainable linkage chains in agriculture and improving production levels for people. Through production development models, the cooperative has oriented local people to change their production mindset from fragmented, small-scale, mainly following traditional experience to proactively applying science and technology, to produce on a commodity scale, applying high technology. The initiative, change in thinking and working methods of farmers in production linkages helps the collective economic models to develop more and promote advantages, contributing to increasing income for people and building new rural areas, advanced new rural areas, and model new rural areas in Phu Loc commune. Mr. Hoang Van Toan, director of Phu Loc Agricultural Service Cooperative, said: The cooperative currently has more than 950 members. Thanks to the support of local authorities and access to preferential loans, the cooperative has invested in effective production development. In particular, the cooperative has built more than 2,000m2 of net houses for hydroponic production, annually building more than 500ha of crops for production linkage, ensuring jobs for members and 10 regular workers, with an average income of about 60 million VND/person/year.

Clearly identifying the importance of the collective economy, in recent times, the innovation, development and improvement of the effectiveness of the collective economy have always been of interest and support to local Party committees and authorities. Up to now, the whole province has 1,329 cooperatives operating under the Law on Cooperatives, including 835 agricultural cooperatives. Currently, the number of cooperatives in Thanh Hoa ranks second nationwide, with an average profit of 276 million VND/year per cooperative. The activities of cooperatives are increasingly expanding in the direction of multi-sector, multi-occupation, and multi-service. The cooperative economy has become a channel to mobilize resources from the people to develop production and business, create jobs, increase income, contribute to hunger eradication, poverty reduction, agricultural restructuring and new rural construction...

To facilitate the development of collective economic models in the province, the Provincial Cooperative Union, as a bridge, has connected cooperatives and cooperative groups with enterprises and organizations applying high-tech equipment to serve agricultural production. At the same time, coordinate with departments, branches, sectors and organizations to organize training, inspections, and promptly remove difficulties and obstacles for cooperatives... Thanh Hoa province sets a target of 30 newly established cooperatives by 2024, with 50% of cooperatives operating fairly well, reducing weak cooperatives to below 12%. At the same time, step up support for cooperatives to gradually implement digital transformation to meet market demand and build brands, improve service quality, products...

The Vice Chairman of the Provincial Cooperative Union emphasized: Over the past 78 years of establishment and development, the Thanh Hoa Provincial Cooperative Union has always flexibly and effectively utilized the State's support to build economic models that are suitable for reality. At the same time, it has promoted the trust and confidence of the people. Along with that, the Provincial Cooperative Union continues to promote training, fostering staff, consulting, supporting, and guiding to improve the quality of cooperative operations; coordinate to implement the construction of new cooperative models associated with product value chains; consolidate, innovate, develop and enhance the competitiveness of the collective economic sector and cooperatives to improve operational efficiency and sustainable development, contributing to the socio-economic development of the province.

Article and photos: Le Hoa

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