In Thanh Hoa province, many women have not only effectively developed their family economies but have also demonstrated confidence, initiative, and success in cooperative economic models. Increasingly, women-led cooperatives have become pillars for production development, income improvement, and economic growth for their member households.
Hoang Thi Minh Nga, Director of Nga My 36 Rice Cake Production Cooperative in Tan Phong town (Quang Xuong district), was born in Yen Dinh – a place with a tradition of producing rice cakes. When she married into a family in Quang Xuong, she still wanted to bring the craft to her second home. Initially, she made cakes for her relatives and family to use during holidays and special occasions. However, thanks to the delicious and unique flavor of the cakes, more and more people ordered them to enjoy and give as gifts. This fortunate coincidence led to her family becoming an ideal supplier of rice cakes and tapioca cakes for decades. However, it wasn't until 2021, when she was approaching 50, that she decided to truly start a business in this field. From small orders, she boldly took on orders of thousands of cakes, requiring the participation of dozens of family members and local workers.
Ms. Nga said: "At nearly 50 years old, I decided to retire early from the education sector to start a business in the traditional baking industry of my 'hometown,' but it was fraught with difficulties. The most challenging aspects were capital, a large market, and finding skilled labor. However, thanks to the guidance of the local Women's Union, in 2023 I established the Nga My 36 Leaf Cake Production and Service Cooperative to strongly develop the Nga My 36 leaf-shaped rice cake and tapioca cake products in the market. Thanks to this, the difficulties were gradually overcome, the products have established a foothold in the market, and Nga My 36 leaf-shaped rice cakes have successfully become a 3-star OCOP product."
Reportedly, the Nga My 36 Rice Cake Production Service Cooperative has invested hundreds of millions of VND to purchase a system of flour milling and kneading machines, steamers, vacuum packaging machines, freezers, etc., and has partnered with dozens of local households to cultivate the 203 rice variety as a raw material for cake production. Simultaneously, it provides regular employment for 5 workers, earning 5 million VND per month, and dozens of other seasonal workers. Currently, the cooperative's rice cakes and tapioca cakes are not only sold through collective kitchens and clean food companies but are also among the OCOP (One Commune One Product) food products that are strongly consumed on several social media platforms and e-commerce sites. The cooperative's revenue averages over 180 million VND per month.
Also starting with a cooperative economic model, Nguyen Thi Huong, director of Tan Phuc Handicraft Cooperative (Nong Cong district), chose a different path, creating jobs and increasing income for hundreds of rural workers, while significantly contributing to the socio-economic development of the locality. Established in 2019, Ms. Nguyen Thi Huong focused on producing handbags, baskets, and trays for export. Through intermediary companies, the cooperative has created jobs for approximately 800 workers in the districts of Nong Cong, Nhu Thanh, Thieu Hoa, Quang Xuong, and Nghi Son town.
Chairman of Tan Phuc Commune People's Committee, Nguyen Van Xuan, said: "This model is very suitable for the local conditions, because the laborers here are mainly engaged in agriculture . They can take advantage of their free time during the agricultural off-season, and the training time is quick, only 2-5 days to produce finished products. To build reputation and be able to stand firm in domestic and international markets, the cooperative pays special attention to training, organizing training courses to improve the skills of its workers. Thanks to the cooperative, most female laborers and those who are single and vulnerable but still able to work in the locality have jobs and income during their free time during the agricultural off-season."
According to statistics, from 2020 to the present, women's associations at all levels in the province have supported the establishment of 33 collective economic models, including 13 cooperatives and 20 production development groups. To date, the province has approximately 360 collective economic models managed by women, creating regular employment for thousands of female workers. Among them, many cooperative models led by women have become exemplary advanced models, such as: Tan Son Environmental Service Cooperative (Thanh Hoa City), Thieu Nguyen Agricultural Products Growing Cooperative (Thieu Hoa District), Tan Tho Handicraft Cooperative, Tan Phuc Small-Scale Handicraft Cooperative (Nong Cong District)... To encourage women members to start businesses, including establishing cooperatives, the Provincial People's Committee issued Decision No. 3877/QD-UBND approving the Project "Supporting Cooperatives Managed by Women and Creating Jobs for Female Workers in the Period 2022-2030", assigning the Provincial Women's Union as the lead agency, coordinating with departments and agencies to implement the activities.
The establishment of women-led cooperatives further affirms the role of women in participating in economic development, especially in the development of the collective economic sector. These women-led cooperatives not only contribute positively to the socio-economic development of the province and strengthen women's organizations, but also enhance the role and status of women in the family and society.
Text and photos: Le Hoa
Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/htx-do-phu-nu-lam-chu-229426.htm
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