Nghe An: Cooperative model helps innovate the way agricultural production is organized

To date, Nghe An has 278 cooperatives linked in production and business according to the value chain. These are also pioneers in applying technology, promoting circular economy, creating a foundation for building smart and modern new rural areas.

278 cooperatives link production and business according to the value chain

After 15 years of implementation, the National Target Program on New Rural Development (NTM) in Nghe An province has brought about comprehensive changes. In particular, the collective economy , with the core being the new-style cooperatives (HTX), has been affirmed as an important economic component that directly meets criterion No. 13 on Production Organization and is a lever to implement criteria on environment, culture and income. These are also pioneering units in applying technology, linking along the value chain and promoting the circular economy; creating a foundation for building smart and modern NTM.

After 5 years of implementing the Project "Continuing to innovate and develop cooperatives in the period of 2021-2025", the types of cooperatives in Nghe An province have developed diversely in many fields of agriculture , services, tourism, small-scale industry, expanding in mountainous areas, contributing to economic development and social security. In the period of 2021-2025, the whole province established 200 new cooperatives, including 160 agricultural cooperatives, 35 commercial service cooperatives, 5 small-scale industry cooperatives, an average of 40 cooperatives per year, 100% of communes and wards have cooperatives.

The number of rural workers participating in cooperatives reached 268,700, with an average monthly income of about 5.5 million VND. The province supported the construction of 91 new-style cooperatives linked to value chains, 9 cooperatives opened clean agricultural product stores, and 5 cooperatives invested in infrastructure. The rate of effectively operating cooperatives reached 61.8%, with 278 cooperatives linked to production and business according to value chains.

Building a chain of links and consuming agricultural output products

The new-style agricultural cooperatives in Nghe An are the pioneers in organizing production according to the value chain, applying science and technology, and increasing the value of agricultural products. A typical example is the Minh Thanh Agricultural and Construction Cooperative (Van Du commune) - a typical cooperative model not only in the province but also nationwide.

With the motto of “providing synchronous services and comprehensive mechanization”, Minh Thanh Cooperative has invested more than 5 billion VND in modern machinery and equipment such as: 8 plows, 12 transplanters, 2 harvesters and especially 1 drone for spraying pesticides and spreading fertilizers - the most advanced technology today. The model of “fields without human footprints” that Minh Thanh Cooperative has deployed has contributed to liberating labor, reducing production costs, improving productivity and quality of crops, and promoting the construction of new rural areas in the locality.

Mr. Nguyen Cong Hien, Director of Minh Thanh Agricultural and Construction Cooperative, next to the cooperative's plowing machines. Photo: VT

Mr. Nguyen Cong Hien, Director of Minh Thanh Cooperative, said that not only does the cooperative produce rice, it also builds a chain of links from seeds, input materials to the consumption of output agricultural products such as high-quality rice and oranges that meet OCOP standards. People can feel secure in production thanks to the cooperative acting as a focal point, ensuring harmonious benefits for both parties.

Thanks to its methodical approach, the cooperative currently has more than 700 members, with annual revenue reaching 10-14 billion VND, creating regular jobs for hundreds of local workers. Notably, in 2024, Minh Thanh Cooperative was honored to be one of 100 cooperatives nationwide to receive the "Cooperative Star" award, recognizing its outstanding contributions to the cooperative economy and new rural development.

Many cooperatives in Nghe An have boldly invested in technology in the post-harvest processing and preservation stages, helping farmers minimize risks due to weather and market conditions. Lien Thanh Agricultural Cooperative (Van Tu commune) is a typical example. With an investment of 3.5 billion VND, the cooperative has built 2 drying kilns with a capacity of 50 tons/day and night and a warehouse system with a capacity of more than 800 tons of rice.

Mr. Le Nam Giang, Deputy Director of the Cooperative, said that during the rainy season, if there were no dryer, the rice would be damaged en masse. Now, farmers can harvest with complete peace of mind, as the Cooperative will purchase, dry, and preserve the rice.

The Cooperative also purchases more than 800 tons of rice per year for members and associated farmers, including about 50 tons of rice seeds. The unit proactively invests in grain separation machines, product packaging, and builds a brand of specialty rice to serve the provincial market and domestic export. Investment in preservation and processing technology has significantly contributed to helping the Cooperative maintain stable agricultural product prices, increase added value, and promote income criteria in building new rural areas in the locality.

Large fields are the highlight in the agricultural restructuring of Nghe An province.

Market access, output expansion

As one of the pioneering cooperatives in production, trade promotion cooperation, supply-demand connection, and support for the consumption of agricultural products in the collective economic sector, Ms. Nguyen Dieu Thuy, Director of Phu Quy Medicinal Herbs Cooperative (Thai Hoa Ward) said that although it was only established in 2020, the cooperative has linked up to support local medicinal herb producing households to consume products and promote the expansion of output markets.

Phu Quy Medicinal Herbs Cooperative produces and trades traditional medicinal herbs such as turmeric, Solanum procumbens, Polygonum multiflorum, etc. Photo: PV

To date, the cooperative has owned 10 products, of which 7 have achieved 3-star OCOP certification. The products not only meet quality standards but also have improved packaging and labels, helping to increase competitiveness in the market. This is a strategic step to increase the value of agricultural products, bringing traditional medicinal herbs such as turmeric, Solanum procumbens, Polygonum multiflorum, etc. to the large market.

Not only focusing on production and business, the Cooperative also continuously invests in modern technology and machinery, such as dryers, automatic packaging machines, etc. to help improve designs, increase preservation time and improve product quality. In particular, the Cooperative also proactively trains to improve knowledge of digital technology and e-commerce applications for employees who are members of the Cooperative. Thanks to that, the Cooperative has been gradually contributing to developing the potential and strengths of local medicinal resources according to the direction of developing medicinal materials in the Northwest region of Nghe An province, while helping many households increase their income and gradually escape poverty.

Source: https://daibieunhandan.vn/nghe-an-mo-hinh-hop-tac-xa-kieu-giup-doi-moi-cach-thuc-to-chuc-san-xuat-nong-nghiep-10399322.html