Production linkage - enhancing the value of rice

In recent years, in the context of the agricultural sector gradually transforming towards modernity and sustainability, production linkage between agricultural cooperatives, enterprises and farmers has become an effective direction, contributing to increasing the value of rice and income for people.

Mr. Tran Van Chung - Director of Phat Tai Agricultural Cooperative (right) guides workers in packaging dried rice.

Towards building a brand for rice

Producing according to the value chain linkage model, cooperatives not only take on the role of organizing production, but also act as a bridge between farmers and consuming enterprises. Cooperatives participate in the stages of selecting seeds, providing guidance on cultivation techniques, managing fertilizers and pesticides, and harvesting, preserving, processing and consuming products.

Phat Tai Agricultural Cooperative, O Tre Lon Hamlet, Chau Thanh Commune is one of the typical examples of cooperative economic development. In addition to producing high-quality rice, cooperative members participate in rice cultivation according to the model of the Project "Sustainable development of 1 million hectares of high-quality and low-emission rice cultivation associated with green growth in the Mekong Delta by 2030" with high efficiency; at the same time, they sign contracts to consume products with businesses, helping farmers not worry about output and feel secure in production.

Mr. Tran Van Chung - Director of Phat Tai Agricultural Cooperative, said: At first, the newly established cooperative had many difficulties in operation, few members, and farmers and cooperative members did not trust it.

To benefit its members, the cooperative cooperates with businesses to create outputs, inputs and apply scientific and technical advances from the selection of original breeds to the production process, bringing higher profits to members and farmers than individual production. In addition, the cooperative has been implementing a production model according to the Project of 1 million hectares of high-quality, low-emission rice. The application of this production process not only reduces production costs, but also improves quality and selling prices.

In the 2025 Summer-Autumn rice crop, the Cooperative has 115 members participating in the production of high-quality rice variety OM5451 with 180 hectares, of which 98.4 hectares are produced according to the Project of 1 million hectares of high-quality, low-emission rice.
Mr. Chung added: Currently, the Summer-Autumn rice crop is growing well and is starting to bloom. The Summer-Autumn rice yield is estimated at 4-5 tons/ha, and the current selling price ranges from 6,000-6,200 VND/kg.

To build a brand for rice and contribute to increasing the value of rice grains, the cooperative is building a factory to store rice. At the same time, it hopes that all levels and sectors will soon disburse capital to support the cooperative in investing in equipment to dry rice and process rice for export markets.

It can be said that linking production according to the cooperative economic model enhances the value chain, creates conditions for applying mechanization and digital technology, helps reduce costs, improve productivity and product quality. Some cooperatives also build their own rice brands, contributing to affirming the value and reputation of rice products in the market.

High quality production model linkage

In Long Hiep commune, over the past 3 years, 55 members of Ngoc Bien Agricultural Cooperative, Sa Van B hamlet, Long Hiep commune have maintained an annual profit of over 100 million VND by linking up a high-quality rice production model to supply the cooperative for processing, building the ST25 rice brand, contributing significantly to the socio-economic development of the locality.

Mr. Le Phuc Hien - Director of Ngoc Bien Agricultural Cooperative, said: In 2022, the Cooperative was established with 55 members participating in the production of 100 hectares, and now has increased to 102 members. Every year, the Cooperative always maintains the service of supplying fertilizers, pesticides and high-quality rice varieties for investment for farmers and members. In order for rice to achieve high productivity and quality, the Cooperative selects pest-resistant and salt-tolerant rice varieties for production to help members improve productivity, reduce input costs and increase profits.

Every year, the Cooperative purchases about 2,500 tons of commercial rice from members and farmers. The Cooperative transports the purchased rice to factories outside the province for rice processing. On average, 20kg of commercial rice is milled to produce 7-7.5kg of rice.

Thanks to the completion of the input production service system chain towards organic agriculture to improve the quality of rice products, the ST25 rice product of the Cooperative was recognized as meeting the 3-star OCOP standard. In 2025, the Cooperative invested 190 tons of rice seeds for members and farmers to produce the Winter-Spring and Summer-Autumn rice crops on an area of 950 hectares.

In the Summer-Autumn rice crop, the Cooperative invested 80 tons of high-quality ST25 rice seeds for members and farmers to produce 400 hectares. Currently, the Summer-Autumn rice crop is in full bloom, the weather is stable, the yield is estimated at 6-7 tons/ha and the product is guaranteed at 9,000 VND/kg.

Ms. Thach Thi Hao, a member of Ngoc Bien Agricultural Cooperative, said: Since joining the Cooperative, each crop has been supplied with certified medicine, fertilizer, and rice seeds, reducing input costs, producing better quality rice seeds, and having products purchased at market prices.

Organic rice cultivation has higher yield and quality than traditional rice cultivation. In the last Winter-Spring crop, nearly 4 hectares of rice yielded nearly 30 tons, with a profit of 130-150 million VND. Nearly 4 hectares of Summer-Autumn rice are currently growing well, hopefully the rice flowering time will not be affected by heavy rain, with a high yield of 6-7 tons/ha.

By joining the cooperative, farmers have favorable conditions to access scientific and technical advances, and to link with enterprises in supplying input materials and consuming products. The production of quality rice seeds has many advantages, is stable and effective. From there, it has created jobs, met the common needs and aspirations of members on the basis of autonomy, self-responsibility; equality, and harmony of interests.

For truly effective linkages, there needs to be synchronous support from the government, national target programs and policies to encourage businesses to invest in agriculture. Cooperatives need to improve their management capacity, financial transparency and promote their role as farmers’ representatives in the value chain.

Article and photos: MY NHAN

Source: https://baovinhlong.com.vn/kinh-te/202507/lien-ket-san-xuat-nang-tam-gia-tri-lua-gao-47328ce/