Collaboration to maintain rice prices

In addition to stabilizing output and reducing production costs, the Phu Nong Xanh Service Cooperative in Vinh Dieu commune is gradually building a sustainable rice value chain, guiding farmers towards modern, safe, and environmentally friendly production.

Director of Phu Nong Xanh Service Cooperative Le Van Hai (far left) visits the fields. Photo: THUY TRANG

Established in 2023 with 20 members, the Phu Nong Xanh Service Cooperative now links over 300 farming households, organizing production on approximately 3,000 hectares of high-quality rice. From its inception, the cooperative has focused on building a clean rice raw material area and controlling pesticide residue to meet export standards for demanding markets such as Japan, Europe, and the United States.

Mr. Le Van Hai, Director of Phu Nong Xanh Service Cooperative, said that previously, farmers produced on a small scale, lacking coordination, often facing situations of bumper harvests but low prices, and unstable output while input costs continued to rise. Based on this reality, the cooperative was formed with the goal of bringing farmers together to produce according to a unified process, while also linking with businesses to guarantee sales and increase the value of rice.

Currently, the cooperative is collaborating with many large enterprises in the rice processing and export sector, such as A An Foodstuff Joint Stock Company, Olam Vietnam Limited Company, An Dinh Technology Investment & Development Limited Company, and Hao Son Foodstuff Trading and Service Limited Company, to organize the production and procurement of high-quality rice. On average, each season, the cooperative collaborates on the production of approximately 3,000 hectares, of which 100% of the area is controlled for pesticide residue, over 70% meets control standards, and about 400 hectares are GlobalGAP certified.

Besides linking consumption, the cooperative also supplies seeds, agricultural materials, and various mechanized services such as land preparation, drone spraying, and fresh rice transportation. This significantly reduces production costs for farmers and minimizes the purchase of low-quality materials. According to Mr. Le Van Hai, the cooperative also regularly guides its members in applying safe farming practices, reducing the indiscriminate use of pesticides. This is not only a solution to improve rice quality but also contributes to protecting farmers' health and the production environment.

Simultaneously, the cooperative focuses on transferring scientific and technical knowledge through training courses, agricultural extension demonstration models, and the application of technology in production. Many new solutions, such as laser-based field leveling, the use of moisture sensors, and the application of digital technology in farming management, are being gradually implemented.

As one of the early members, Mr. Doan Trong Hieu, residing in Dong Co hamlet, Vinh Dieu commune, said that joining the cooperative provided him with support in purchasing seeds and fertilizers at reasonable prices, and also guided him on advanced farming techniques, resulting in more stable yields than before. “Thanks to joining the cooperative, production costs have decreased significantly, and the output is guaranteed, so farmers feel very secure. Profits have increased by about 40% compared to production outside the cooperative,” Mr. Hieu shared.

The effectiveness of the linkage model became even more apparent in the 2025-2026 winter-spring crop season when rice prices on the market dropped sharply. While farmers in many places worried about being pressured by traders to lower prices, the cooperative continued to purchase rice at the prices agreed upon with the affiliated enterprise, helping members secure profits and confidently reinvest in production.

Beyond simply improving economic efficiency, the Phu Nong Xanh Service Cooperative aims to build a green, circular, and emission-reducing agricultural system. It plans to invest in drying ovens and rice storage facilities, and organize the collection and processing of straw after harvest to limit field burning, reduce environmental pollution, and increase the value of agricultural by-products. Mr. Le Van Hai stated that in the 2025-2030 period, the cooperative strives to expand its high-quality rice production area to 5,000-6,000 hectares per crop, diversify rice varieties such as ST24, ST25, and Dai Thom 8, and continue to expand its partnerships with businesses to complete a sustainable rice value chain.

The production linkage model of Phu Nong Xanh Service Cooperative is demonstrating the important role of cooperative economics in restructuring the agricultural sector. This model contributes to changing production mindsets, moving towards a modern, green, and sustainable agricultural development for the border region of An Giang.

THUY TRANG

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/lien-ket-de-giu-gia-lua-a485381.html