Collective economic model of Tam Thanh women

Ms. Luong Thi Chi, a member of the Pa village cattle breeding cooperative, Cha Lung, Tam Thanh commune, takes care of her family's herd of cows.

In 2018, Ms. Luong Thi Chi's household, Pa village, Tam Thanh commune, a member of the cooperative group (THT) raising breeding cows in Pa village, Cha Lung, was supported with a breeding female calf. Up to now, her family has a total herd of 7 cows. This is the result of her family's efforts over the past 7 years. Ms. Chi shared: "I am very grateful for the attention of the Party Committee, the government and the association for guiding and helping my family develop livestock farming in accordance with the family's customs and conditions. Currently, my family has multiplied the herd and paid back the initial capital."

Ms. Vi Thi Tien, Na Au village, member of Thanh Cong breeding cow cooperative, shared: From having no cows to raise, we were supported with capital, trained in raising cows, building barns, and supporting each other in the process of caring for cows. Therefore, we have learned how to raise cows well, prevent diseases, so we do not lose breeding animals but also develop the herd and pay off debts. Currently, my family has 4 cows. This is the main source of income that helps my family reduce difficulties.

These are 2 of more than 100 members of 2 cattle breeding cooperatives in Pa village, Cha Lung village and Thanh Cong cattle breeding cooperative. The members of the cooperatives have maintained and developed the model very well, every household has cows to raise and sell as the main source of income.

With the attention of the Women's Union at higher levels, the Cattle Breeding Cooperative in Pa village, Cha Lung village was established in August 2018 with 20 members. Members were given a total interest-free loan of 290 million VND, with each member borrowing an average of 14.5 million VND to buy a breeding cow (households contributed additional capital to buy a cow according to the family's wishes), and at the same time signed a commitment that when the cow gave birth to 3 or more calves, it would be sold or transferred to other poor or near-poor households. Each year, members must repay 30% of the loan capital. After 3 years, the initial loan capital will be fully repaid so that the association has capital to transfer to other members.

With the above operating regulations, after only 1 year, the households took good care of the cows so that the herd gave birth to calves. After more than 7 years of implementation, the cow raising cooperative in Pa village and Cha Lung village has recovered capital in 6 installments and continued to lend capital to many other households. To date, the cooperative has given out 115 cows, the total number of participating members has increased to 62 households. The households have sold 20 cows to cover living expenses and reinvest in raising cows. Currently, the total herd has 95 cows. In 2025, the cooperative plans to recover 150 million and continue to give it to 10 other households.

Continuing to support members and women in border areas with many difficulties in economic development and early escape from poverty, in July 2020, the Women's Union of Quan Son district continued to direct the Women's Union of Tam Thanh commune to establish the Thanh Cong cow breeding cooperative model, including 42 members from poor and near-poor households in 6 villages (Pa, Cha Lung, Phe, Na Au, Bon, Kham). This is a model proposed by the Provincial Women's Union for a project under the National Target Program on Sustainable Poverty Reduction. The cooperative was supported with 400 million VND, of which poor households were supported with 10 million VND/household, near-poor households were supported with 8 million VND/household. Members contributed additional capital of more than 191 million VND to buy cows to meet the livestock needs of each household.

After establishment, the executive board of the cooperative is responsible for coordinating with veterinary staff to guide and supervise the care process, disease prevention, and guide members to grow elephant grass to ensure food sources; members keep a logbook, manage support funds, and breeds; the cooperative meets periodically every 3 months to exchange experiences in raising livestock and preventing diseases...

Ms. Ha Thi Ha, President of the Women's Union of Tam Thanh Commune, said: With the attention of the Women's Union at all levels and the facilitation of the local Party Committee and government, both cooperatives have operated very effectively. The cooperatives have developed 104 members and 162 cows, estimated to be worth more than 2.1 billion VND, creating regular jobs and seasonal labor for many workers. Households have sold 25 cows worth 300 million VND and 13 households have escaped poverty. The cooperatives have effectively spread the movement to support women in economic development, helping each other escape poverty, and encouraging each other to protect and maintain the borders and landmarks of the Fatherland.

Article and photos: Le Ha

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/mo-hinh-kinh-te-tap-the-cua-phu-nu-tam-thanh-248558.htm