Cooperative societies – a 'lever' for building new rural areas.

In recent years, the collective economic sector in Long An province, with cooperatives as its core, has increasingly affirmed its role. Cooperatives not only create jobs and increase income for the people but also contribute to socio-economic development, thereby transforming the face of rural areas in the localities.

Currently, Long Hoi Cooperative (An Luc Long commune, Chau Thanh district) supplies the market with products that meet VietGAP and GlobalGAP standards.

1. In reality, many cooperative models operate effectively , contributing to sustainable economic development and the construction of new rural areas. The province currently has 331 cooperatives with 45,660 members operating in the agricultural sector . In recent years, cooperatives have focused on food hygiene and safety, product labeling and traceability, enhancing value and brand recognition, such as safe vegetable cooperatives and high-tech agricultural cooperatives.

In Chau Thanh district, Long Hoi Cooperative (An Luc Long commune) continues to effectively bring farmers together for cooperative production. With dragon fruit as its main crop, the cooperative always ensures a stable supply of high-quality products to its partners.

According to Truong Minh Trung, Director of Long Hoi Cooperative: “Previously, dragon fruit farmers grew using traditional, small-scale methods, each working independently, often leading to situations of ‘bumper harvest, low prices’ or vice versa. The establishment of the cooperative aims to create a concentrated raw material area, fostering a common voice for cooperation and mutual development. When production is linked and standardized, agricultural products will fetch higher prices.”

Currently, the cooperative has 44 members, cultivating approximately 50 hectares, of which 30% are white-fleshed dragon fruit and 70% are red-fleshed dragon fruit. All members produce according to VietGAP and GlobalGAP standards, yielding high efficiency.

On average, the cooperative supplies the market with approximately 2,500 tons of dragon fruit annually, at a stable price of over 15,000 VND/kg. The average income of member households reaches about 100 million VND/hectare/year. In addition, the cooperative provides employment for about 30 local workers, with an income of about 8 million VND/person/month, contributing to improving living standards and socio-economic development.

“Currently, the cooperative is coordinating with purchasing companies to sell dragon fruit, however, prices still depend on market fluctuations. In the future, the cooperative will focus on promoting the production of clean dragon fruit, improving product quality, and creating a stable market for the products of its members and local farmers,” Mr. Truong Minh Trung added.

2. Established in 2007, Phuoc Hiep Safe Vegetable Cooperative (Phuoc Hau commune, Can Giuoc district) has gradually developed, affirming its reputation and position in the market. Currently, the cooperative has 111 official members cultivating over 40 hectares and 30 affiliated members. The cooperative supplies the market with nearly 30 different types of vegetables, from leafy vegetables such as mustard greens, sweet cabbage, amaranth, spinach, etc., to herbs such as scallions, basil, coriander, etc.

Phuoc Hiep Safe Vegetable Cooperative (Phuoc Hau commune, Can Giuoc district) always prioritizes food safety in production.

Phuoc Hiep Safe Vegetable Cooperative has been recognized as one of the province's exemplary cooperatives in safe vegetable production. In particular, with 5 products achieving OCOP certification, the cooperative has affirmed its superior quality and professionalism in managing the agricultural value chain.

Thanks to ensuring a closed-loop production process and transparency regarding origin, the cooperative's products not only meet consumer demand within the province but also expand their market to Ho Chi Minh City and many neighboring provinces. This not only enhances the value of agricultural products but also improves the income of farming households, creates stable jobs, and actively contributes to the construction of new rural areas.

Chairman of the Cooperative's Board of Directors, Tran Thanh Minh, stated: “Each year, the cooperative receives support of 3-5 tons of organic fertilizer; models for building greenhouses and automatic irrigation systems also receive support covering 40-60% of the costs. Currently, almost 100% of the cooperative's members apply high technology to production and are very satisfied with this production method. The cooperative is a 'bridge' helping farmers change their farming practices, moving towards clean and sustainable production. People's incomes have improved significantly. This is a practical contribution to the process of building new rural areas.”

Recognizing the importance of the cooperative economy, the provincial Department of Agriculture has consistently focused on innovating, developing, and improving the efficiency of the cooperative economy. Cooperative models are regularly strengthened and their operations improved, yielding practical economic benefits and becoming a reliable support for members. They contribute to poverty reduction, rural development, and increasingly affirm the position and role of the cooperative economy in the overall economy.

Khanh Duy - Thu Thao

Source: https://baolongan.vn/hop-tac-xa-don-bay-xay-dung-nong-thon-moi-a197554.html