A "support system" to help farmers rise to prosperity.

Over the years, alongside the restructuring of the agricultural sector and the construction of new rural areas, farmers in Thanh Hoa province have been strongly playing a leading role in rural economic development. In particular, the collective economic model, with cooperatives, production groups, and agricultural product consumption linkages as its core, is increasingly proving to be a solid foundation helping farmers increase their income, stabilize their lives, and gradually achieve sustainable wealth.

The chicken farming model of Xuan Hong Rural Chicken Production and Processing Cooperative, Tho Xuan commune.

Practical experience in production shows that the collective economy has contributed to overcoming the situation of small-scale and fragmented production, creating conditions for farmers to link together in value chains, apply scientific and technical advancements, and improve productivity, quality, and product value. Many agricultural cooperatives in the province have proactively developed appropriate production and business plans, linking production with processing and product consumption, gradually forming large-scale, concentrated production areas to meet market demands.

In implementing the Party and State's policy on developing the collective economy in the new situation, the Provincial Farmers' Association has actively propagated and mobilized farmer members to participate in cooperative and production linkage models; at the same time, it has coordinated with functional agencies to organize training, transfer science and technology, support brand building, traceability, and grant VietGAP and OCOP certifications for many key agricultural products. This has contributed to improving the management and operational capacity of cooperatives and cooperative groups, gradually enhancing the efficiency of collective economic activities.

The Xuan Hong Free-Range Chicken Production and Processing Cooperative in Tho Xuan commune was established in 2024 with 18 members, a scale of 100,000 chickens per batch, a farming area of ​​5,300 m2, and an expected output of 0.8 tons per year. The Xuan Hong Free-Range Chicken Production and Processing Cooperative currently operates a closed-loop farming process, strictly adhering to VietGAP standards from breeding stock, feed, care, disease prevention, to slaughter, preservation, and product consumption. During production, the cooperative focuses on applying scientific and technical advancements, ensuring environmental hygiene and biosafety, while fully implementing record-keeping and traceability regulations. As a result, the survival rate of chickens is over 95%, the products are clean and hygienic, productivity increases by an average of 15-20% compared to traditional methods, and income for farmers increases by 10-15 million VND per 1,000 chickens per year. Recently, the Xuân Hồng Cooperative's broiler chicken product received VietGAP certification, which not only affirms the quality and safety of the product for consumers but also creates favorable conditions for the cooperative to expand its market, build a local agricultural brand, and gradually participate in sustainable production-consumption chains.

The province has over 4,300 hectares of water surface for aquaculture, with many areas dedicated to farming giant freshwater prawns, particularly in Quang Trung ward. To help farmer members produce according to standard, safe, and sustainable processes, meeting the requirements of both domestic and export markets, while simultaneously improving productivity, quality, product value, and increasing income, the Provincial Farmers' Association has organized technical training, guiding farming processes, disease prevention, safe feed use, and pond environment management. In addition, the association collaborates with the Provincial Agricultural Extension Center to help farmers practice correct technical procedures and test high-quality prawn breeds, thereby optimizing productivity and economic efficiency. This activity also lays the groundwork for building product brands, promoting Thanh Hoa agricultural products, and replicating safe and efficient production models, while simultaneously enhancing the management capacity of households, cooperatives, and agricultural associations. The Quang Trung Ward Giant Prawn Farming Cooperative was established in 2025 with 3 members; a total capital contribution of 1 billion VND; a farming area of ​​5,300 m2; and an expected production of 0.8 tons/year. Mr. Tran Xuan Hanh, the head of the cooperative, said: With the help of the Farmers' Association, his family conducted a trial farming of 12,000 prawn juveniles on an area of ​​0.5 hectares. Determined to get rich in their homeland, in the first year, his family earned 50 million VND after deducting expenses. Based on the initial success, his family boldly borrowed more ponds and invested in equipment, machinery, and supplies for prawn farming; they also encouraged 10 more households in the locality to join together to form a cooperative. In addition, the members of the cooperative have also applied technology for remote monitoring and control, created sales addresses on social media platforms, and applied digital technology in their operations. Applying VietGAP standards is not only a requirement for technical expertise and food safety, but also an opportunity to enhance product value, increase income, and build brand reputation for local agricultural products.

In 2025, the association mobilized and guided the establishment of 198 new cooperative groups, 23 cooperatives, and 51 enterprises; bringing the total number of cooperative groups, cooperatives, and enterprises guided by the association at all levels to 554 cooperative groups, 132 cooperatives, 152 professional farmer association branches, and 1,107 professional farmer association groups. It also directed and guided the development of 17 high-tech and high-tech agricultural production models, linked to value chain development. The association continued to mobilize officials, members, and farmers to implement digital transformation, update electronic identification codes, and support farmers in digital transformation in the production and consumption of agricultural products and goods. To date, 11,538 households have accounts, and nearly 39,000 products have been listed on the Postmart.vn e-commerce platform, digital platforms, and social networks; support has been provided for 143 products in building brands, labels, and traceability. 845 branded products were introduced at 245 trade fairs, exhibitions, and product displays.

Ms. Vu Thi Thanh Xuan, Deputy Head of the Provincial Farmers' Association's Working Committee, stated: "In the coming time, the association will continue to innovate the content and methods of propaganda, promote digital transformation, and improve the quality of operations of agricultural cooperatives. The focus will be on supporting production-consumption linkage models, applying science and technology, circular agriculture, reducing emissions, and linking production with environmental protection. Equipping farmer members with digital knowledge and skills, supporting traceability, and promoting and selling agricultural products on digital platforms are considered key solutions to enhance product value and expand markets. With the support of the Farmers' Association at all levels, cooperatives and cooperative groups will continue to be a solid 'foundation,' helping Thanh Hoa farmers confidently rise up, escape poverty sustainably, and legitimately become wealthy on their own land."

Text and photos: Hoang Lan

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/be-do-giup-nong-dan-vuon-len-lam-giau-276280.htm