Affirming the brand for traditional local products

The model of producing dried fish of all kinds of Thanh Tien Aquaculture and Seafood Processing Cooperative initially brought economic efficiency, created jobs for workers and stable income for member households.

In Trang Bang town, cooperatives have been focusing on improving the quality of services and products, meeting the common needs of members in cooperation and mutual support to carry out production and business activities.

The core role of cooperatives in the collective economy in the area has been clearly demonstrated, contributing to strengthening solidarity and mutual support among people; especially in rural areas, cooperatives have supported localities in transforming the structure of agriculture, livestock, and crops, helping people in the area feel secure in production.

Thanh Tien Aquaculture and Seafood Processing Cooperative ( Binh Thuan Hamlet, Phuoc Binh Commune, Trang Bang Town) was established in June 2024 and currently has 7 members. Mr. Tran Thanh Tien - Director of the Cooperative said that the model was established to develop the traditional profession of Phuoc Binh Commune, which is drying snakehead fish, drying catfish and other dried products. The main source of raw materials is grown by farmers in Phuoc Binh Commune, the Cooperative purchases them for processing and selling to the market.

Mr. Tran Thanh Tien - Director of Thanh Tien Aquaculture and Seafood Processing Cooperative dries fish.

Originally a teacher, lacking experience in production, when he first started making dried foods, Mr. Tien encountered many difficulties such as: dried foods could not be preserved for long, the seasoning did not suit the taste of customers, the consumption market was not large, and the amount of dried foods produced was small, only a few dozen kilos per month.

After many failures, Mr. Tien and his wife researched and found a drying formula to create a difference for dried snakehead fish and catfish products. The batches of dried fish they made were sent to friends and relatives to try. From everyone's feedback, the couple learned from their experience in the processing process.

Dried snakehead fish and catfish products ready for packaging.

Identifying dried fish as a highly competitive product, during the processing, Mr. Tien always takes care and pays attention to every step to ensure product quality: dried fish must be fresh, after cleaning, marinated, dried in the sun for 1-3 days, covered with a tight film to prevent dust and dirt. When the dried fish has enough sunlight, he puts it in the warehouse and vacuum-packs it for longer preservation, ensuring food hygiene and safety. The product is supplied to wholesalers in Ho Chi Minh City and neighboring localities.

According to Mr. Tien, this model is very promising, helping fish farmers have stable output and income. In the coming time, the cooperative will develop products that meet VietGAP standards and move towards OCOP, bringing products to supermarkets and other sales channels, thereby helping traditional local products to increasingly affirm their brands.

After being dried in the sun, the dried fish is packaged and vacuum-sealed.

Mr. Bien Viet Trung - Chairman of the Farmers' Association of Phuoc Binh commune shared that Thanh Tien Aquaculture and Seafood Processing Cooperative, although newly established, has initially brought high economic efficiency, creating jobs for farmers in the commune, especially farming households in the area along the Vam Co river in Phuoc Giang hamlet.

In the coming time, the locality will coordinate with the Provincial Cooperative Union, the Agricultural Extension and Agricultural Services Center to organize short-term training courses for the staff of cooperative management and operations, in order to consolidate the cooperatives' operations in depth, linking from production to consumption, such as: consulting on production and business plans; training human resources and management staff of agricultural cooperatives; training on small and medium-sized enterprise management for cooperatives.

Mr. Bien Viet Trung - Chairman of Phuoc Binh Commune Farmers' Association (white shirt) visited the dried fish production model of Thanh Tien Aquaculture and Seafood Processing Cooperative.

In order to develop many cooperatives according to the new model, Trang Bang Town People's Committee requires communes and sectors not to pursue quantity but to stick to the quality and real efficiency of this model. Sectors and levels must promote propaganda and raise awareness for each member about the sustainability of the new cooperative model.

Localities in Trang Bang town strengthen and consolidate the quality and efficiency of cooperatives and cooperatives; diversify types of cooperatives and cooperatives to attract a large number of people to participate; gradually form strong cooperatives as the core for economic cooperation and linkage activities with domestic and foreign economic organizations.

In addition, promote joint ventures and associations between cooperatives with each other and with organizations and enterprises of all economic sectors to expand the scope of operations, increase competitiveness, seek markets, and apply scientific and technological advances in production.

Hoang Yen

Source: https://baotayninh.vn/khang-dinh-thuong-hieu-cho-san-pham-truyen-thong-cua-dia-phuong-a189860.html