In mid-September 2025, when we came to Cao Loc commune to work, the commune officials took us to visit the economic model of Thanh Loa Agricultural Cooperative. This was also the time when the cooperative members were actively harvesting chestnuts.
Ms. Hua Thi Vu, Director of the Cooperative, said: Since 2008, I and a number of households in the commune have developed a chestnut tree planting model. However, we mainly planted and cared for them in the traditional way, without focusing on applying science and technology, so the productivity, quality and value of chestnuts were low. Faced with that reality, we realized that there needed to be a change in thinking and production form, shifting from small-scale to linkage and concentrated production to bring long-term efficiency. Accordingly, in 2021, Thanh Loa Agricultural Cooperative was established with 7 members, focusing on developing a chestnut tree planting model with an area of 5.8 hectares. Immediately after its establishment, with the guidance and support of professional agencies and the commune government, the Cooperative focused on developing production in the direction of VietGAP to gradually improve product quality.
To effectively implement the model, members of the Cooperative have been given the opportunity to participate in training courses, guided on the process and techniques of planting and caring for chestnut trees according to VietGAP standards. At the same time, the Cooperative regularly organizes meetings for members to exchange experiences in caring for, preventing pests and diseases, harvesting chestnuts, etc.; and propagates and encourages members to comply with the correct process in the process of planting and caring for chestnut trees.
Mr. Hua Van Thuan, a member of the Cooperative, said: My family has been growing chestnuts since 2008 with 250 trees. However, in the past, I mainly took care of them in the traditional way, so the yield and quality of chestnuts were not high. In 2021, when joining the Cooperative, my family attended training courses and received guidance on applying science and technology to production and care of chestnut trees according to VietGAP standards. Since then, my family has focused on care and noticed that the yield has increased by 5-10% compared to before, the chestnuts are also bigger and more beautiful, and consumption is also easier. On average, each year, my family harvests more than 1 ton of chestnuts, with a selling price ranging from 50,000-80,000 VND/kg, earning over 60 million VND after deducting expenses.
Not only focusing on applying science and technology to production, improving productivity and product quality, the Cooperative also proactively registered to develop chestnut products into OCOP products and researched packaging design, labels, traceability stamps... With thorough investment and guaranteed product quality, in 2022, the Cooperative's chestnut products were recognized as 3-star OCOP products.
Ms. Hua Thi Vu, Director of the Cooperative, added: The application of science and technology and attention to building product brands have created a premise for the Cooperative to increase product value, gradually develop and expand the model. From the initial 5.8 hectares of chestnut trees, the Cooperative has now increased the production area to more than 7 hectares. On average, each year, the Cooperative's harvest output reaches about 10 tons, revenue reaches more than 500 million VND, bringing stable income for members from 60 to 100 million VND. Currently entering the main chestnut harvest season, the Cooperative has collected over 7 tons of nuts, and this year's output is expected to increase by about 5% compared to 2024.
Mr. Duong Trung Hieu, Deputy Head of the Economic Department of Cao Loc Commune, said: Thanh Loa Agricultural Cooperative is a typical cooperative of the commune in developing the chestnut growing model. The cooperative has exploited the potential and strengths of the locality well, applied scientific and technical advances to increase product value and increase production efficiency. In the coming time, the department will continue to advise the Commune People's Committee to propagate and encourage cooperative members to maintain and expand the model; orient the cooperative to develop production in the direction of deep processing, bringing to the market peeled chestnuts, vacuum-packed chestnuts... to meet the needs of consumers as well as further enhance product value.
Source: https://baolangson.vn/htx-nong-san-thanh-loa-ap-dung-ky-thuat-nang-tam-nong-san-dia-phuong-5059103.html
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