Thang Loi Agricultural Service Cooperative: Towards new values ​​in modern agriculture

In the process of restructuring the agricultural sector, Dong Thap identified the development of collective economy and cooperatives as one of the important pillars to transform from small-scale production to concentrated commodity production, linking value chains, applying high technology and reducing emissions. In the midst of that flow, Thang Loi Agricultural Service Cooperative (DVNN) emerged as a typical model, a place where the spirit of daring to think, daring to do and new values ​​in modern agriculture converge.

MULTI-VALUE AGRICULTURAL ECONOMIC MODEL

Established on February 20, 2002, Thang Loi Agricultural Service Cooperative is headquartered in My Dong 5 hamlet, My Qui commune (after merging from 3 communes: Lang Bien, My Dong and My Qui). Currently, the cooperative has 96 members, managing more than 447 hectares of agricultural production of 289 farming households.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visited and worked with Thang Loi Agricultural Service Cooperative.

The Cooperative's Board of Directors consists of 5 members with a dynamic leadership team, closely following reality, gradually putting production and business activities into a framework, with a clear strategic direction. From only providing a few basic services, the Cooperative has now developed 5 key areas, including: irrigation; plowing; linking production - consumption of rice seeds and commercial rice; producing bottled water; producing rice according to OCOP standards.

Mr. Nguyen Van Hung, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director of Thang Loi Agricultural Service Cooperative, said that the motto of the Cooperative is "Linking for mutual development - cooperating for mutual victory". This mindset helps the Cooperative proactively expand relationships with many businesses such as Loc Troi, Vinarai, Cuu Long Xit, Long An , Tan Thanh... in linking production and product consumption, bringing farmers out of the "everyone does it alone" mindset, moving towards production according to the value chain.

In its development strategy, Thang Loi Cooperative has identified the dual goal of improving economic efficiency and protecting the ecological environment. The Cooperative has boldly applied synchronous mechanization in all production stages, from land preparation, sowing, fertilizing, spraying to harvesting, helping to reduce costs, increase productivity and limit risks due to climate change.

In addition, the Cooperative also participates in greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction projects and the RIKOTO Project (SRP) to support farmers in keeping field diaries, contributing to environmentally friendly production models that meet the international market.

Thanks to the good implementation of sustainable production processes, each year, farmers in the Cooperative are paid 300,000 VND/ha for carbon after each crop, with a total benefit of more than 650 million VND to date. Particularly, the greenhouse gas emission reduction project implemented by the Cooperative in collaboration with Chon Chinh Import Export Company Limited on 155 hectares, farmers are paid nearly 200,000 VND/ha, with a total amount of more than 30 million VND, calculated at the end of 2024 alone.

The Cooperative also focuses on protecting the rural environment, arranging 100 containers for used pesticide packaging, instructing members to collect and dispose of them properly, contributing to building a clean and safe production area. All these efforts not only help Thang Loi Cooperative become a green agricultural model, reducing emissions and increasing efficiency, but also contribute to implementing Vietnam's commitments in the Net Zero 2050 roadmap.

Not stopping at production, the Cooperative has proactively opened a new direction in digital transformation and rural economic development associated with experiential tourism. In April 2024, the Cooperative launched the "Countryside Market" model, creating a space to connect agricultural products, OCOP specialties and local folk cuisine. From the initial 18 stalls, the market now has more than 50 stalls, with many agricultural products, folk cakes, soft drinks, fast food, etc.

After 14 editions, the “Countryside Market” has attracted nearly 20,300 visitors, with a total revenue of over 1.23 billion VND, creating jobs for about 100 workers each session. This is a vivid demonstration of a multi-value economic model, where agriculture is linked with services, tourism and community culture.

The Cooperative has also begun to digitize production data, store electronic logs and apply a product traceability system, gradually approaching the 4.0 smart agriculture model. Thanks to that, the Cooperative's products have increasingly affirmed their reputation and expanded their consumption markets inside and outside the province.

Along with production development, Thang Loi Cooperative also actively accompanies local authorities in social security work such as contributing funds to build rural roads, supporting poor households, and mobilizing members to participate in community activities.

DIVERSIFICATION OF RURAL ECONOMY DEVELOPMENT

The above results show that the cooperative model is not only a “production organization”, but also a nucleus of solidarity and development of new rural areas. Thanks to that, the material and spiritual life of many My Qui farmers has been significantly improved, contributing to changing the face of the countryside in a civilized and sustainable direction.

Thang Loi Agricultural Service Cooperative organizes "Countryside Market" with more than 50 booths.

With outstanding contributions, Thang Loi Agricultural Service Cooperative has been honored to receive many noble awards such as: Certificate of Merit from the Cooperative Union of Dong Thap province (2021 - 2023); Certificate of Merit from the Central Vietnam Farmers' Union (2024); Certificate of Merit from the Chairman of Dong Thap Provincial People's Committee (2024)...

It can be seen that Thang Loi Agricultural Service Cooperative is a concrete demonstration of the effectiveness of the collective economic development policy in the spirit of Resolution No. 09/NQ-CP of the Government on promulgating the Government's Action Program to implement Resolution No. 20-NQ/TW dated June 16, 2022, the 5th Conference, the 13th Party Central Committee on continuing to innovate, develop and improve the efficiency of the collective economy in the new period. This cooperative model fully converges the elements of modern agriculture in terms of concentrated production, value chain linkage, technology application, emission reduction and diversified rural economic development.

According to the direction of the Board of Directors, the Cooperative continues to accompany farmers in production and consumption, promote digital transformation, expand business linkages, create safe products, traceable origin and meet export market standards.

Mr. Nguyen Van Hung, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director of Thang Loi Agricultural Service Cooperative, said: “We continue to innovate and create so that farmers can not only produce well but also do business well, mastering the modern agricultural value chain.

At the same time, in the coming time, the Cooperative will continue to accompany farmers in reducing production costs, shifting to safe and sustainable farming and increasing closed production scale. The Cooperative focuses on developing local specialty products, promoting the application of scientific and technological advances; encouraging farmers to keep a farming diary in the field to serve traceability and quality management.

At the same time, the Cooperative will coordinate with partners to improve the quality of packaging and product designs to professionalize display and promotion activities at product introduction booths and consumption channels. From the Thang Loi Agricultural Service Cooperative model, we can clearly see a sustainable direction for Dong Thap agriculture - where farmers are not only producers, but also become the center of the value chain, contributing to realizing the goal of restructuring the agricultural sector towards green, digital and international integration.

LE MINH - NGUYEN SANG

Source: https://baodongthap.vn/kinh-te/202511/hop-tac-xa-dich-vu-nong-nghiep-thang-loi-huong-den-gia-tri-moi-trong-nong-nghiep-hien-dai-1051471/