To keep cooperatives strong in the new situation

New opportunities for collective economy
Improve and enhance the efficiency of the collective economy.
Perfecting effective models for replication and promoting collective economic development

In recent years, the province's collective economy has developed. The form of collective economy development is mostly related to agricultural production or products from local agriculture. In the process of developing collective economy, with cooperatives as the core, the role of science and technology and digital transformation is one of the core, important factors that determine this development. The process of applying science and technology and digital transformation in the development of collective economy and cooperatives associated with agricultural production according to the commodity value chain in Ca Mau province in recent years has received attention, direction and synchronous and effective implementation from local authorities and Party committees.

In the process of developing a collective economy, with cooperatives as the core, the role of science, technology and digital transformation is one of the core, important factors that determine development. (Photo of Dam Doi Ba Khia Cooperative).

For example, the Dam Doi Ba Khia Cooperative (Dam Doi district) with its products under the Dam Doi Ba Khia brand is no longer unfamiliar in the market inside and outside the province. The pioneers are the couple Tran Thi Xa and Nguyen Van Mien. Ms. Xa shared that the Cooperative was established in 2017, at that time Ba Khia was not a famous local product, because people often mentioned Rach Goc Ba Khia (Ngoc Hien district). However, with the will and spirit of learning, efforts to overcome difficulties, and above all, innovation and research, the couple built and brought the Dam Doi Ba Khia Cooperative brand to gradually gain a foothold in the market. Currently, the Cooperative's product output is expanding to the markets of several countries in the region. The Cooperative is taking advantage of social networking sites and branded shopping channels to bring products closer to domestic and foreign consumers. To meet the raw material source for the production process with large orders, the Cooperative has expanded the raw material purchasing points, along with focusing on improving the quality and quantity of products, adding 2-3 more items to participate in the OCOP "playground".

Identifying the application of science and technology in the cooperative system in this period as a necessary task, in recent times, provincial departments and branches have actively opened training courses. Typically: Online training on "Skills in marketing OCOP products on e-commerce platforms" and "Skills and solutions to bring typical products and specialties of Ca Mau province to supermarkets"; training on "E-commerce skills" for enterprises, cooperatives, production and business establishments in the province; training on "Building and developing brands for local specialties"; training on the application of science and technology advances in production and life for farmers in the province, aiming to help cooperatives and cooperative members apply information technology in the production and consumption of agricultural products, especially in accessing the consumer market, towards sustainable development... Since then, many areas producing key products of the province such as: rice, livestock, aquaculture... have gradually formed and developed; Production methods have gradually changed in a positive direction, applying science and technology, technical advances, focusing on organizing large-scale production, linked to consumption; products have been improved in quality and competitiveness in the market; production thinking has gradually changed from emphasizing productivity and output to quality, efficiency, integration and sustainability. Many models and applications of advanced technologies/techniques have been effectively deployed in agricultural production, contributing to increasing income and production efficiency for farmers.

The results achieved in the application of science and technology and digital transformation of cooperatives to serve production, improve the content of science and technology per unit of product, to increase productivity, quality and added value of agricultural products of the province in recent times show that the role and strength of science and technology and digital transformation for cooperatives are very important.

However, in reality, there are still limitations. According to Mr. Nguyen Hoang Bao, Vice Chairman of Thoi Binh District People's Committee, in recent years, the collective economy in general and cooperatives in particular in the locality have developed in quantity and quality. Currently, the district has 1 cooperative union with 7 members and 35 cooperatives with 2,292 members. Most of them operate in the agricultural sector. "Although there are, the development has not really been as expected. In particular, the application of science and technology and digital transformation in operations is still limited. Although the number of cooperatives has increased, the quality of operations is not high, most of the cooperatives are small-scale, have little capital, and develop unevenly. Very few cooperatives are bold in applying science and technology and digital transformation in production, management, promotion, and trading of agricultural products," Mr. Nguyen Hoang Bao acknowledged.

In reality, it is necessary to recognize that the State's funding sources for investment and support for cooperatives in applying science and technology and digital transformation in production, management and business activities are still limited; the number of cooperatives accessing support policies is not large, or when there are support policies for cooperatives, the internal capacity of the cooperatives does not meet the criteria when receiving them. In addition, there is no connection and cooperation between cooperatives in the same industry and locality to share technical consultants, equipment, production technology, input and output market information; if there is connection, it is not tight, low efficiency and localized.

In order for economic production, including agricultural production, to develop sustainably and be competitive in demanding markets, the application of science and technology and digital transformation is an inevitable requirement today. This is also a premise and a lever that greatly affects the development of cooperatives in the new situation.

Agricultural production in many localities is still heavily traditional, and the proactive and bold application of scientific and technological achievements in labor and production is still limited.

There are many opinions that, in this issue, cooperatives need to reorganize production according to the industry value chain, apply science and technology and digital transformation in all management, production and business activities to improve productivity and increase the content of science and technology per unit of product. Cooperatives need to identify factors such as target markets, market segments, and quality standards that can be met, in order to create practical value based on this information by digitizing production, management, and safe business processes and moving towards trade promotion methods via the Internet.

State management agencies need to review, supplement, and perfect legal documents, policies, support, and incentives for cooperatives through programs, plans, and projects to create a favorable environment for cooperatives to access the application of science and technology and digital transformation, convert outdated technology to advanced technology, cleaner production technology, energy-saving production technology, etc. in all production, management, promotion, business, and product consumption activities. In addition, relevant agencies and localities in the field of developing the knowledge economy need to advise competent authorities to prioritize the allocation of specific resources for cooperatives to access the application of science and technology and digital transformation in all cooperative activities, then the development of the knowledge economy will be sustainable./.

Van Dum

Source: https://baocamau.vn/de-hop-tac-xa-tru-vung-trong-tinh-hinh-moi-a39271.html