The "key" to sustainable development

Tan Son district has 32 ethnic minorities living together, accounting for 83.5% of the district's population. In recent times, the collective economy and cooperatives have been affirming their role as a "key" to exploiting the potential and strengths of the locality to the fullest, contributing to improving living standards, reducing the poverty rate, while preserving and promoting the cultural identity of ethnic groups, building the highlands to become increasingly rich, beautiful and civilized.

Tan Son salt-cured chicken products are gradually becoming familiar to diners inside and outside the province.

Identifying cooperatives as a key factor, in recent years, Tan Son district has closely coordinated with all levels and sectors to implement many programs and projects to support the development of cooperative economies . In particular, the implementation of Program 1719 for the period 2021-2025 has helped the district focus on reviewing and selecting priority subjects in agricultural and forestry production to invest in developing production linkage models to effectively promote regional potential and increase the value of local products. The district has devoted significant resources to supporting the construction and branding of many typical cooperatives. Projects include: "Improving the quality of green tea associated with building the Phu Tho tea brand" of Long Coc Safe Tea Production Cooperative; "Improving the quality of green tea associated with building the green tea brand in Xuan Son National Park area" of Xuan Dai Agricultural and Forestry Services Cooperative; or the project “Linking breeding, processing and consumption of Tan Son salted chicken products” of Tan Son Breeding, Production and Processing Cooperative. These projects not only help improve product quality but also position the brand, creating competitive advantages in the market.

Muong Kit tangerine products are proof of the proper attention and investment in building brands for local specialties.

Currently, Tan Son has 41 cooperatives, of which about 30 are operating effectively, with an average revenue of about 1 billion VND/cooperative/year. These cooperatives attract nearly 600 members, creating regular jobs for about 550 workers with an average income of 62.5 million VND/person/year. Notably, out of the total 23 OCOP products of the district, up to 12 OCOP products are owned by cooperatives, accounting for 52.2%, clearly demonstrating the role of cooperatives in developing local specialty products.

One of the typical success stories is the Tan Son Cooperative for Breeding, Producing and Processing Salted Chicken. With 10 members, this is a pioneer in applying digital technology to large-scale breeding, production and processing activities in Van Luong commune. Taking advantage of the policy of preserving and developing traditional chicken breeds of Tan Son such as multi-spur chickens and native chickens, the Cooperative has found a new direction, creating high economic value and competitiveness in the market. Mr. Tran Van Dung - Director of the Tan Son Cooperative for Breeding, Producing and Processing Salted Chicken shared: The selling price is about 250,000 VND/bird, on average each year the Cooperative supplies the market with about 50,000 salted chickens, with a profit of about 500 million VND/year. The cooperative not only creates direct and regular jobs for 10 workers with a stable income of 6-10 million VND/person/month, but also indirectly creates jobs and consumes products for many households participating in raising chickens in the area...

With these results, it is impossible not to mention the active role of the Provincial Cooperative Union in advising and supporting cooperatives in ethnic minority areas to consolidate their operations. Diverse forms of support include: Organizing training courses to raise awareness for members and employees; supporting facilities, product display booths; supporting product labels, packaging and creating promotional videos on sales websites; supporting cooperatives to borrow preferential loans from funds managed by the Provincial Cooperative Union. In 2023, Muong Kit Fruit and Medicinal Plants Cooperative (Kiet Son commune) received support from the Provincial Cooperative Union to implement the scientific project "Creating, managing and developing Muong Kit collective trademarks for oranges and tangerines of Kiet Son commune, Tan Son district". This project is a testament to the attention and proper investment in building brands for local specialties.

Developing cooperatives is considered a practical economic solution, contributing to improving the lives, preserving culture and sustainable development for the Tan Son ethnic minority area. In order for cooperative models to continue to develop commensurate with their potential and strengths, in addition to the attention, companionship and support from the government and mass organizations, the efforts and initiative of the people themselves play an extremely important role. Innovation in production activities, diversification of typical products and understanding market demand are core factors that help highland products get closer to consumers, thereby helping cooperatives develop sustainably. With the right orientations, consensus from the government, organizations and especially the initiative of the community, Tan Son is gradually realizing the goal of building an increasingly rich and civilized mountainous district, where the cooperative economy is a strong driving force for comprehensive and sustainable development.

Hoang Giang

Source: https://baophutho.vn/chia-khoa-mo-loi-phat-trien-ben-vung-233395.htm