A cooperative's journey from vegetable fields to supermarkets

From small fields, with only enough vegetables to sell at the local market all year round, many members of Binh Minh Cooperative (in Nang hamlet, Nha Long commune, Phu Binh) have now built a production model that meets VietGAP standards, applying high technology. Each month, the Cooperative supplies more than ten tons of vegetables to schools, supermarkets, and large restaurants in the province. This journey is not only an economic shift but also clearly demonstrates the change in production thinking of farmers today.

High-tech vegetable growing area of ​​Binh Minh Cooperative.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hiep, Director of Binh Minh Cooperative, led us to the vegetable growing area in a greenhouse covered in green. “Nha Long Commune has been growing vegetables for decades, but before, people mainly grew them out of habit, bringing whatever they had to the market to sell. Prices were unstable, with good harvests and low prices,” she said.

In 2019, with encouragement from the government and professional units, Ms. Hiep and a group of farmers decided to establish Binh Minh Cooperative, specializing in growing leafy vegetables and fruits. The beginning was not easy.

The cooperative members were not used to working together, production was not synchronized, and the market did not trust safe vegetable products. However, they were determined to learn and participate in training courses on clean farming, agricultural techniques, and brand building.

Since its establishment, the cooperative has cultivated safe vegetables according to VietGAP standards. This requires investment in time, effort and financial resources. Members must keep daily production logs and strictly comply with regulations on the use of seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, pest management and harvesting.

In particular, from the State's support (equivalent to 40%), the Cooperative has provided additional funding to build greenhouses and net houses, with a total area of ​​over 1,500m2, worth over 700 million VND. Ms. Hiep emphasized: We determined: no matter how difficult it is, we must produce clean vegetables, for the health of consumers and for our own reputation.

After applying science and technology to production, Binh Minh Cooperative coordinated with specialized units to take soil and vegetable samples for quality testing. With results in hand, they boldly knocked on the doors of supermarkets and schools, persistently introducing the products.

From the first batches of vegetables sold, people have more confidence in the new direction. Up to now, the cooperative has more than 10 hectares of vegetables such as kohlrabi, cabbage, tomatoes, carrots, etc. Of which 1.5 hectares are grown organically, the rest are VietGAP.

All products are stamped with traceability stamps and clearly labeled. Some products are certified with 3-star OCOP and are honored as typical agricultural products of the province.

Vegetable and fruit products of Binh Minh Cooperative are sold at Aloha mall Supermarket.

The cooperative has established a stable output, signed consumption contracts with 4 supermarkets, 70 schools, restaurants, and collective kitchens in the province. On average, each year, the cooperative supplies the market with 150-170 tons of vegetables and fruits. Thanks to that, the members' lives have also become more prosperous, with an income of 6-10 million VND/person/month.

Despite its position in the market, Binh Minh Cooperative still faces many difficulties. The biggest obstacle is the lack of land to expand the raw material area. Many businesses want to sign contracts to supply large quantities year-round, but the cultivated area is not enough to meet the demand.

Finance and accounting are also a challenge. Working under the collective model, cooperatives must comply with regulations on invoices and documents. Meanwhile, small-scale agricultural production has difficulty proving inputs such as chicken manure, composted manure, or vegetable seeds left over from the previous crop.

Vegetables are “sensitive” to the weather, just a short frost or prolonged rain is enough to affect productivity and quality. To maintain their reputation in the market, cooperative members have to manage every day, both maintaining strict procedures and saving to survive amidst countless difficulties.

Amidst all the worries, Ms. Hiep and the members of Binh Minh Cooperative are still determined on one thing: to grow clean vegetables to the end, no matter how difficult it is. They believe that only clean agriculture, working honestly, can help farmers keep their land, keep their jobs and maintain their faith in the market...

However, for Binh Minh Cooperative to continue to develop sustainably, it needs closer support from specialized agencies. From technology transfer, market connection, capital and legal support to propaganda work so that people continue to change their thinking, and join together to build a sustainable agricultural value chain.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/kinh-te/202506/hanh-trinh-tu-ruong-rau-ra-sieu-thi-cua-mot-hop-tac-xa-ac60267/