Linking production and developing sustainable agriculture.

A corner of the tea plantation in Dong Quan village, Binh Thuan commune.

The Thuan Chau area has approximately 54,700 hectares of agricultural land. Currently, 10 communes in the area maintain the operation of 60 cooperatives, of which 55 operate in the agricultural sector, attracting over 1,080 members. The average revenue per cooperative reaches 1.08 billion VND/year, and the average income of members reaches 45 million VND/person/year. Besides bringing high income to members, cooperatives play an important role as a bridge, helping farmers access high-quality plant and animal varieties, as well as advanced farming techniques.

Established in 2017, the Bon village cooperative in Muong Khieng commune currently has 70 members, with a production scale including 72 hectares of late-ripening longan and over 65 hectares of Taiwanese mangoes. The projected yield for the 2025 harvest is 300 tons. Mr. Quang Van Vong, Deputy Director of the cooperative, said: "Right after the cooperative started operating, we focused on regularly disseminating information to members on methods of caring for the trees from flowering to harvesting, following a clean product production process. The cooperative's management board also connects with businesses to sell products for its members; the average income from the cooperative's fruit trees is expected to reach over 30 million VND per member per year by 2025."

Meanwhile, at the Chà Mạy Agricultural Cooperative in Long Hẹ commune, they have leveraged and developed the production of local specialties such as black chickens, hawthorn berries, and some indigenous medicinal plants. Accordingly, the cooperative's products, produced by its 17 members, adhere to VietGAP standards. Currently, the cooperative has three chicken farms with over 3,000 chickens. Processed chicken products, such as black chicken floss and vacuum-packed whole chickens, have achieved OCOP 3-star certification. These products are sold in supermarkets and organic food stores in Hanoi and neighboring provinces. Income from this model has helped many households escape poverty sustainably.

Cage fish farming model in Muong Khieng commune.

Mr. Thào A Hồng, a member of the Chà Mạy Agricultural Cooperative, shared: Through participating in numerous trade fairs and promotional events, and interacting with customers from various provinces, the cooperative has clearly defined its direction: linking production with consumer demand. Products supplied to the market, such as taro, herbal black chicken floss, and black chicken, must be produced according to clean and safe processes. As a result, the income of its members will gradually increase. Currently, it has reached 35 million VND or more per person per year.

From the collective economic model, with cooperatives as its core, a shift has been made in building agricultural production linkages, enhancing the value of agricultural products in the communes of Thuan Chau district. Simultaneously, it facilitates the sharing of production experiences and skills between cooperative members and local producers, aiming to build high-quality farming areas. To date, the communes in Thuan Chau district have established and maintained 8 production linkages for key products, 31 supply chains for clean and safe agricultural products, and 10 registered farming areas. The total area of fruit trees meeting VietGAP standards is over 600 hectares, of which more than 72 hectares utilize water-saving irrigation systems.

Mr. Duong Gia Dinh, Chairman of the People's Committee of Binh Thuan Commune, said: There are nearly 20 businesses and cooperatives operating in the agricultural sector in Binh Thuan Commune. Immediately after the commune was established by merging Phong Lai and Chieng Pha communes of the former Thuan Chau district, the People's Committee held a meeting with these businesses and cooperatives. At the meeting, the People's Committee listened to the requests, aspirations, and suggestions of the cooperatives and businesses regarding their production and business activities in order to develop effective support plans. At the same time, they are ready to create the best conditions for farmers, businesses, and cooperatives to expand production, thereby establishing the brand of Binh Thuan agricultural products and increasing income for the people.

With systematic steps and strong determination, developing agriculture in a green, clean, and organic direction, and linking production chains, is becoming a driving force helping the people of Thuan Chau communes to legitimately enrich themselves on their homeland.

Source: https://baosonla.vn/kinh-te/lien-ket-san-xuat-phat-trien-nong-nghiep-ben-vung-TUiHIHGDR.html