Innovate methods for organizing farmers.

Farmers' associations at all levels in An Giang province are innovating their methods of mobilizing the masses through concrete actions such as providing capital support, transferring technology, connecting markets, and supporting social welfare.

On over 30 hectares of farmland in Son Kien commune, many farmers are busy tending their rice fields. Few know that just two years ago, many of these households struggled to find production capital, having to borrow money at high interest rates from outside sources every time a new planting season began. In February 2024, the Provincial Farmers' Support Fund disbursed 500 million VND to 10 member households in Son Kien commune to develop production on 30 hectares under a credit-based scheme. After two years of using the capital, the households not only repaid the loans ahead of schedule but many families also expanded their production scale and increased their income. Based on this practical success, many farmers in the area proactively applied to join the association.

A model of cantaloupe cultivation by farmers in Son Kien commune. Photo: AN LAM

According to Do Thi Nguyet, Chairwoman of the Son Kien Commune Farmers' Association: "Previously, many people were hesitant to join the association because they were afraid of attending meetings. However, when they saw that participating households had easy access to capital, technical support, and market information, people began to change their minds. Currently, the commune is preparing to establish a cooperative for growing cantaloupe and raising fish to attract more farmers to the association."

In the context of increasing pressure on agricultural production, people need not only awareness campaigns but also concrete support to overcome difficulties. When associations help farmers reduce input costs, access capital, support housing, or connect them with markets for their agricultural products, the natural appeal will be much greater than traditional forms of mobilization. Huynh Van Son, head of the Kim Quy B hamlet Farmers' Association in Van Khanh commune, said: “People who join the association have easier access to loans and support in transferring science and technology. This is also a driving force for more people to join the association,” Mr. Son said.

It is evident that the organization's approach is gradually changing people's perceptions. The association is not only a place for community activities but also a bridge connecting members to resources for developing their family economies . From July 2025 to the present, farmers' associations at all levels in the province have added nearly 5,000 new members, bringing the total number of farmer members in the province to 270,000. This large force contributes to affirming the role and position of the association in rural life. Along with membership development, resources supporting production continue to be strengthened. Currently, the provincial farmers' support fund manages over 125 billion VND. From this capital, associations at all levels have implemented 665 loan projects, totaling over 89.2 billion VND, helping thousands of farming households expand production and develop their family economies.

Beyond simply organizing associations, the challenge of gathering farmers into cooperatives is posing significant demands for innovation. In recent years, agricultural cooperatives have been seen as a crucial direction for linking production, enhancing the value of agricultural products, and stabilizing output. The Tan Nong Agricultural Cooperative in Nga Cay hamlet, An Bien commune, has operated effectively for many years and continues to attract more members. According to Nguyen Van Xiem, Director of the Tan Nong Agricultural Cooperative, the cooperative guarantees the purchase of rice from farmers at a price 500-1,000 VND/kg higher than the market price. Simultaneously, simultaneous irrigation significantly reduces production costs and labor for members, making them very enthusiastic. Previously, the cooperative had to persuade each household to participate, with many outright refusing because they thought collective farming wouldn't be effective. However, seeing the clear benefits, farmers have voluntarily sought to join.

Currently, the collective economy in the province continues to develop both in quantity and quality. According to statistics, the province has nearly 3,700 cooperative groups, over 850 cooperatives, and 5 cooperative unions, with more than 160,000 members. Many models are gradually asserting their role in linking production, supplying input materials, guaranteeing product sales, and developing the rural economy.

AN LAM

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/doi-moi-phuong-thuc-tap-hop-nong-dan-a487646.html