Ba Dinh Cooperative: The nucleus of collective economic development in the rice-shrimp farming region.

In Ca Mau, from like-minded farmers, the Ba Dinh Cooperative has risen to become a model, contributing to increasing the value of Ca Mau's rice and shrimp.

Ba Dinh General Agricultural Cooperative (hereinafter referred to as Ba Dinh Cooperative), located in Ben Bao hamlet, Vinh Loc commune, Ca Mau province, is a shining example in the cooperative economic development movement, contributing to increased income and the formation of a sustainable value chain for the region's characteristic rice and shrimp products.

On November 12th, Ba Dinh Cooperative had the honor of participating in the 80th Anniversary Celebration of the Agriculture and Environment Sector and the First National Emulation Congress in Hanoi.

Mr. Nong Van Thach, Director of Ba Dinh Cooperative, visits the fields of cooperative members. Photo: Trong Linh .

"Linking" is the key to increasing production value.

Established in 2018, the Ba Dinh Cooperative initially had only 44 members and a charter capital of 300 million VND. However, with continuous efforts, the cooperative now has 252 members and operating capital exceeding 1.2 billion VND, focusing on a rice-shrimp farming model combined with integrated agricultural and aquatic services.

A key highlight of the cooperative is its establishment of a sustainable supply chain, from input supply to product consumption. Annually, the cooperative collaborates with many reputable businesses to provide members with over 120 million shrimp larvae, 600 tons of feed, and aquatic medicines. Simultaneously, it purchases and sells over 3,450 tons of rice and 390 tons of commercial shrimp. As a result, cooperative members reduce input costs by 10-15%, increase profits, and create regular employment for over 80 local workers.

Members of the Ba Dinh Cooperative harvest freshwater prawns. Photo: Trong Linh.

Mr. Nong Van Thach, Director and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Ba Dinh Cooperative, shared: “The cooperative was established not only for collective business but also to enable farmers to develop sustainably together and create a common brand for their local products. Ba Dinh Cooperative is aiming to expand its area and membership so that more farmers have the opportunity to improve their income and gradually escape poverty sustainably.”

Technological innovation, traceability

In recent years, Ba Dinh Cooperative has been a pioneer in applying technology to production and management. All financial and accounting activities are digitized through Waca software, using digital signatures and electronic invoices, thus increasing transparency and professionalizing the management system.

In production, the cooperative applies many technical advancements: methods such as sowing seedlings in mats on the field, transplanting by machine, and sowing in rows and clusters help reduce the amount of seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides. Spraying pesticides using drones helps save costs, protect the health of workers, and reduce environmental pollution.

The positive results were evident when rice yields increased from 500 kg to 1 ton/ha per crop, and the quality of the rice grains improved significantly. Building on this foundation, the cooperative developed the brand "Ba Dinh Rice - Shrimp," which was recognized as an OCOP product in 2024 and also won the Mai An Tiem Award – a nationally recognized outstanding cooperative product selected by the Vietnam Cooperative Alliance.

Many organizations from within and outside the province visited the model of Ba Dinh Cooperative. Photo: Trong Linh.

The cooperative also collaborates with Minh Phu Group to develop an ASC-certified shrimp farming area for export, covering over 390 hectares. This is a strategic step that will help Ba Dinh shrimp products gradually conquer the international market.

Beyond focusing on business, Ba Dinh Cooperative also demonstrates a sense of responsibility towards the community. Over the past five years, the cooperative has contributed 18 million VND to the social welfare fund, provided 1.5 million shrimp fry to impoverished households, donated 700 notebooks and 60 sets of uniforms to disadvantaged students, mobilized 43 units of blood donations, and collaborated with the government to repair over 1.5 km of rural roads.

These activities have contributed to strengthening people's trust, helping cooperatives become a solid foundation for socio-economic development at the grassroots level. In particular, during the past term, Ba Dinh district played a significant role in helping Vinh Loc commune fulfill criterion number 13 on developing forms of production organization in the construction of new rural areas.

Ba Dinh Cooperative was recognized as a National Exemplary Cooperative in 2024. Photo: Trong Linh .

Towards a new, modern, and integrated cooperative model.

The Ba Dinh Cooperative is a cohesive collective, operating in accordance with the 2012 Cooperative Law. Its structure includes a 3-person Board of Directors, a 6-person Management Board, a 3-person Supervisory Board, and specialized service teams, most of whom hold university degrees and possess a high sense of responsibility.

Mr. Nong Van Thach, Director of Ba Dinh Cooperative, shared: “Currently, the cooperative offers 16 services to its members, with total annual revenue exceeding 35.6 billion VND, estimated profit of 320 million VND, and average member income increasing by over 6% compared to the previous year. Notably, the participation rate of members in the cooperative's services reached 87.6%, demonstrating the attractiveness and effectiveness of the model.”

From that foundation, Ba Dinh Cooperative is gradually undergoing comprehensive digital transformation, standardizing clean production processes, building a strong brand, and aiming to become a new type of cooperative in the collective economic development of the Ca Mau rice-shrimp farming region.

The "Ba Dinh Rice and Shrimp" brand, recognized as a 3-star OCOP product, also won the Mai An Tiem Award – a nationally recognized outstanding cooperative product selected by the Vietnam Cooperative Alliance in 2024. Photo: Trong Linh .

From its initial 44 members, the Ba Dinh Cooperative now has nearly 280 members, developing sustainably on the principles of voluntarism, cooperation, and mutual benefit. The impressive figures regarding production, revenue, employment, and income demonstrate the correct direction of this new cooperative model, guided by the principles of dynamism, creativity, and humanism.

With a determination to innovate, collaborate, and integrate, the Ba Dinh General Agricultural Cooperative is asserting its position, not only as a nucleus for collective economic development, but also as a source of pride for farmers in the rice-shrimp farming region of Ca Mau.

Source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/htx-ba-dinh-hat-nhan-phat-trien-kinh-te-tap-the-vung-lua--tom-d783875.html