Need to "support" development cooperation groups

Cooperative groups (CGs) are considered an important stepping stone towards the establishment of cooperatives, bringing many practical benefits to members such as reducing input costs, increasing production efficiency, improving product quality and creating sustainable value chains. Many CGs have been operating effectively, contributing to improving farmers' lives, creating jobs and promoting the local economy. However, the development and maintenance of CGs still face many difficulties and challenges.

Production model of Dong Thanh safe vegetable growing cooperative members, Dong Thanh ward, Dong Ha city - Photo: TT

Vinh Linh district currently has 9 agricultural cooperatives and farms in operation, most of which are chicken farming cooperatives. The operations of the farms are generally quite good, with large production scales, creating significant output value, contributing to improving the quality of agricultural products and promoting rural economic development. The total production value of the farms in 2024 will increase thanks to stable prices, but there is still a risk of disease and extreme weather, affecting the productivity as well as the health of crops and livestock.

Notably, the farms mainly still produce for processing, providing raw materials for processing enterprises in other localities, so the products do not bring high added value. A typical example is Thanh Dat Cooperative in Gia Lam village, Vinh Long commune, which used to be a strong unit in pig farming.

However, in the past 2 years, the livestock situation has encountered many difficulties due to epidemics, so the unit has flexibly deployed additional mobile cooking services to maintain operations. Ms. Tran Thi Thanh Nu, Head of Thanh Dat Cooperative, shared: “The livestock model has encountered many difficulties due to consecutive epidemics, currently each member of the group only raises livestock on a small scale. In order for the Cooperative to maintain operations and ensure the living conditions of 43 members, we have expanded the cooking service for weddings and parties, however, the revenue is not significant.”

Dong Thanh Safe Vegetable Growing Cooperative, Dong Thanh Ward, Dong Ha City, currently maintains a model with 28 members, however, the vegetable growing area has been reduced to only about 3 hectares. Ms. Ho Thi Hien, Head of Dong Thanh Safe Vegetable Growing Cooperative, confided: “Growing safe vegetables depends a lot on water sources and organic fertilizers, but in the summer, it is very difficult to get water for irrigation. The price of organic fertilizers is currently high, significantly increasing investment costs. In addition, our main output is still retail at Dong Ha market, competing with vegetables from China, so prices are unstable. We really hope that the authorities will have more sustainable solutions to stabilize output and increase product value.”

Gio Linh district has about 125 cooperatives with 7,230 members, of which 110 are in the agriculture - forestry - fishery sector. The cooperatives focus mainly on industries such as: cultivation, animal husbandry, construction, exploitation and processing of seafood, irrigation, savings and loan groups. Some cooperatives operate on a village scale such as in Mai Xa, Lam Xuan, Gio Mai commune, and villages in the western communes of the district to perform some agricultural production services. The activities of the cooperatives have contributed to linking and supporting each other in production and consumption of products.

According to Vice Chairman of Gio Linh District People's Committee Phan Van Hoa, in reality, while there are not enough conditions to establish cooperatives, developing cooperative groups is the most suitable model to overcome some weaknesses of household and individual economies. Cooperative groups both participate in hunger eradication and poverty reduction and contribute to increasing the competitiveness of goods and services in the market.

The cooperatives have mobilized more capital from the people, operated effectively, increased employment, increased income for the household economy, increased products for society and were the premise for the formation of cooperatives or other types of enterprises in the future. However, the operation of cooperatives still faces many difficulties, economic efficiency is not high, and lacks sustainability.

The province currently has about 1,981 cooperatives with 23,910 members, of which 246 are registered with local authorities. Most cooperatives are small-scale, have limited capital, and lack modern facilities and equipment to expand production or apply new technology.

Many cooperative leaders still lack experience in management, operation, production and business planning and market access. Most cooperatives still face difficulties in finding stable output for their products, and lack of connection between cooperatives and businesses and distributors, leading to price pressures or unsold products. Although there are many policies, accessing support sources from the State is still complicated, and information has not reached cooperatives in a timely and effective manner.

To overcome difficulties and promote sustainable development for cooperatives and farms, it is necessary to synchronously deploy many solutions. In particular, it is necessary to focus on perfecting support policies, simplifying procedures for accessing capital and preferential credit, and encouraging businesses to cooperate with cooperatives. Capacity building for group leaders and members is enhanced by organizing intensive training courses on management, accounting, marketing, and application of technology in production.

Encourage cooperatives to apply product quality standards such as VietGAP and GlobalGAP. Build a bridge between cooperatives and agricultural processing and consumption enterprises. Strengthen the role of associations and unions in gathering and mobilizing members to participate in cooperatives.

Encourage cooperatives to apply information technology in management, production, product traceability and marketing on digital platforms, creating conditions for participation in domestic and foreign agricultural fairs and exhibitions.

Thanh Truc

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/can-tiep-suc-cho-cac-to-hop-tac-phat-trien-194541.htm