Increase production with members

Farmers' Association members of Truong Lac ward participate in a training course on durian growing techniques. Photo: PHUONG MAI

The monthly meeting of Truong Phat Cooperative was recently held in Truong Trung area, with 22 members participating. Thereby, technical staff of the fertilizer supply company discussed and instructed on how to prevent and treat diseases on durian trees; fertilize and spray pesticides at the right time and dosage so that durian trees bear fruit in season and sell at a good price. Members exchanged and learned experiences and techniques of durian care with gardeners with large cultivation areas, high productivity and income. Each cooperative member contributed 1.5 million VND, supporting members in need of loans to solve sudden difficulties, buy fertilizers and pesticides, and hire workers to help.

About 7 years ago, Mr. Pham Van Mang (Ut Mang), a member of the cooperative, boldly invested in renovating 1.5 hectares of inefficient rice fields to plant 250 Ri6 durian trees. Thanks to training, vocational training, application of new knowledge and techniques and preferential loans, Mr. Ut Mang was able to take good care of the garden. After 4 years, the durian began to bear fruit, Mr. Ut Mang harvested 20-25 tons of fruit each season, depending on the price, providing a stable income. Mr. Ut Mang said that once the durian garden was infected with a disease, the members promptly instructed him on how to prevent and treat it so as not to affect the yield and quality of the fruit.

Mr. Le Tan Kiet (Hai Kiet), 70 years old, a member of the cooperative, excitedly said that he had just sold 1 ton of durian, at a price of 40,000 VND/kg. Previously, on 6 hectares of his garden, Mr. Hai Kiet grew miscellaneous crops, sold seasonally, and earned just enough to live on. In 2019, at the suggestion of his friends, he renovated 2 hectares of his garden to grow 30 Ri6 durian trees. Up to now, Mr. Hai Kiet has sold 4 crops of fruit, with stable profits. Mr. Hai Kiet excitedly said: “I was able to borrow 50 million VND to grow 4 more hectares of durian, which will bear fruit next year. I learned techniques to make durian bear fruit in the off-season, selling for a higher price. The Board of Directors of the cooperative encourages us to intercrop with other crops and fruit trees to increase production capital. Cooperative members who have difficulties with capital and techniques are all guided and assisted.”

According to Mr. Nguyen Thien Nhan, Truong Phat Cooperative was established according to the policy of converting crop structure, in line with market trends, bringing high profits to members. Currently, the total area of ​​Ri6 durian cultivation of Truong Phat Cooperative is 23 hectares. In 2024, the durian yield of the Cooperative will reach 400 tons, with an amount of 32 billion VND. In addition to maintaining and improving the quality of operations of 2 cooperatives, 1 production cooperative group, 18 branches, and professional farmer associations, the Association has just launched 2 durian cooperative groups Truong Hoa and Binh Yen, with 32 members, a production scale of over 17.4 hectares. To help members of cooperatives and cooperative groups focus on production, increase productivity and income, the Association coordinates to open vocational training classes on durian growing techniques; organize training and seminars on durian care techniques; connect to issue planting area codes, etc.

The Ward Farmers' Association focuses on supporting members to borrow preferential loans to increase production and business. The ward has 15 savings and loan groups operating in 12 areas, with a capital of over 31 billion VND, supporting 733 households. At the same time, it manages 4 farmer support fund projects of 1.05 billion VND, with 22 households borrowing. The loan capital is quick and timely, basically meeting the needs of production development and increasing income of members. The Association connects and introduces 104 members who need to buy 6.1 tons of various fertilizers and pesticides, 95.5 tons of animal feed, an amount of over 2.74 billion VND, with the form of deferred payment without interest, creating favorable conditions for members to focus on production. Mr. Nguyen Thien Nhan shared: "The Association integrates communication, guides members and farmers to access e-commerce methods, supports market connections, promotes on social networking sites such as Zalo, Facebook... to ensure stable consumption of agricultural products and goods". In 2025, the Ward Farmers' Association will no longer have poor member households and 54 near-poor member households. The whole ward has 979 farmer households recognized as good producers and traders at all levels, exceeding the target by over 31%.

“In 2025, the Ward Farmers’ Association will continue to improve the efficiency of agricultural production, promote the strengths of cooperatives, production cooperative groups; branches, professional associations; mobilize members and farmers to implement well the “3 no’s” in production. At the same time, coordinate to support children of members and farmers to learn agricultural and non-agricultural occupations and have stable jobs” - Mr. Nguyen Thien Nhan emphasized.

MAI THY

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/cung-hoi-vien-tang-gia-san-xuat-a186086.html