Expectations for the "newcomer" cooperatives

Along with the restructuring, consolidation, and transformation of existing cooperatives, the recent establishment of new cooperatives has created bright spots in the activities of the collective and cooperative economic sector in the province. Despite facing many difficulties and uncertainties, these "newcomers" are expected to develop and create new breakthroughs.

The Vu Gia Ba Lang fish sauce cooperative in Nghi Son town always prioritizes applying food safety and hygiene standards in its production process.

At the Vu Gia Ba Lang Fish Sauce Cooperative in Xuan Tien residential area, Hai Thanh ward (Nghi Son town), despite being established only in February 2024, the cooperative has already outlined clear and promising development directions. Mr. Vu Tien Diep, the cooperative's director, stated: "Residents in Hai Thanh ward have a long-standing tradition of making fish sauce, but each household has its own 'secrets' and market development strategies. This inadvertently diminishes the long-standing common characteristics of the locality and prevents the development and promotion of the Ba Lang fish sauce collective brand. Therefore, we have gathered seven households with large-scale production and sufficient enthusiasm in the locality to form a cooperative to unify production regulations, support each other in sales, and build a brand and trademark in the market."

It is known that the Vu Tien Diep family produces fish sauce using traditional methods, characterized by the extraction of the juice from fresh sea fish, resulting in a distinctive aroma, a sweet and savory aftertaste, and high nutritional value. To ensure quality standards, upon its establishment, the Vu Gia Ba Lang Fish Sauce Cooperative registered its production according to TCVN 5107:2018 standards. Simultaneously, it ensures food safety and hygiene in all stages of production. Furthermore, the cooperative has focused on designing and packaging its products to create a unique identity and easy accessibility for customers and consumers. Therefore, currently, several products bearing the Vu Gia Ba Lang brand, such as shrimp paste, fish sauce, and anchovy paste, have been well-received by the market and consumers. On average, the cooperative sells approximately 10-12 thousand liters of fish sauce and 10 tons of various other fish pastes per month, providing regular employment for 7 workers. The cooperative's products are not only selling well in the local market but are also distributed through a network of agents in Hanoi .

Mr. Vu Tien Diep, director of the cooperative, affirmed: The standards and quality of Vu Gia fish sauce products have been certified by specialized agencies and highly appreciated by consumers. Therefore, the cooperative is developing procedures and documentation to submit to the District People's Committee for evaluation and recognition as an OCOP product, in order to qualify for participation in trade fairs and trade promotion programs organized by departments, agencies, and localities.

Although newly established at the end of 2023, the Thiet Ong Longan Cake Cooperative (Ba Thuoc district) has developed an effective production and business plan. Mr. Nguyen Quoc Tri, the cooperative's director, stated: Understanding that the cooperative's purpose is to connect and support its members, and that the members' production efficiency is the "measure" of the cooperative's success, one of the first practical activities since its establishment has been to guide the production of its seven members. Agricultural production and consumption, and construction, are two areas expected to generate revenue and improve production efficiency. Therefore, in the agricultural production and consumption sector, the cooperative focuses on developing and improving the quality of its traditional longan cake product. As a result, Thiet Ong longan cakes have been recognized as a 3-star OCOP product and have an average consumption of about 2 tons per month. In addition, we will strengthen connections and develop construction services to increase income and create resources to support member households in investing in production development.

In reality, under the guidance and direction of the Provincial Cooperative Union, political and social organizations, and local authorities, Thanh Hoa province establishes between 25 and 30 new cooperatives annually across all socio-economic sectors. In the first six months of 2024 alone, the province saw the establishment of 24 new cooperatives, reaching 96% of the provincial target. These cooperatives primarily operate in agriculture and rural industries. They are established based on the actual needs of their members, groups, and associations, and have developed effective production and business plans, market access strategies, and product promotion strategies.

Ms. Ha Thi Thuy, Head of the Policy and Movement Department of the Provincial Cooperative Union, stated: In recent years, the collective economic sector and cooperatives in the province have seen significant development in both quantity and operational efficiency. Newly established cooperatives offer a full range of services, promoting production and business in rural areas. Through their establishment, these new cooperatives not only play a role in gathering and mobilizing farmers but also change the mindset and practices of farmers, applying scientific and technological advancements to improve production efficiency. Many cooperatives have successfully implemented linkages, ensuring stable outlets for agricultural products. In some areas, cooperatives have expanded production, created more industries, developed diversified businesses, and invested in equipment to enhance production and business capacity. Therefore, the Provincial Cooperative Union continues to coordinate with relevant departments and agencies to promote the establishment of new cooperatives and support them in maximizing production and business efficiency. This will create more jobs, increase people's income, and boost the collective economy and cooperatives in the province.

Text and photos: Le Hoa

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/ky-vong-nhung-htx-tan-binh-220822.htm