Farmers of all ethnic groups join hands to do business

If in the past, the refrain "good harvest, low price" kept repeating itself to farmers when agricultural production was small and fragmented, now, throughout the countryside of Hoa Binh, a new spirit is being aroused - doing business in an organized, connected way, with a collective economic model as a support.

Phu Lai Agricultural Cooperative, Phu Lai Commune (Yen Thuy) produces salted shallots that meet food hygiene and safety requirements, contributing to the consumption of agricultural products of local farmers.

In Muong Dong area, in Kham hamlet, Binh Son commune (Kim Boi), Binh Son Agricultural Service and Trade Cooperative has become a gathering place for farmers with the same direction. Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Hoai, Director of the Cooperative, said: At the Cooperative, compliance with VietGAP production process, prioritizing the use of organic fertilizers and microbiological drugs has helped increase profits to more than 2.4 billion VND/year, 20-30% higher than the traditional method. The Cooperative currently has 25 members producing safe vegetables, most of whom are Muong ethnic people, with an average income of 6 million VND/person/month. All products are guaranteed, creating peace of mind for producers.

That story is no longer rare in Hoa Binh. After 3 years of implementing Project No. 01-DA/TU of the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee on strengthening the Party's leadership over the Farmers' Association (FA) at all levels in building a strong organization, participating in supporting farmers to develop production and consume products, contributing to the construction of new rural areas in the period of 2021 - 2025, the whole province has built 677 effective collective economic models, including 79 cooperatives, 202 cooperative groups, 71 branches and 325 professional farmer associations. This shows that farmers are no longer alone in doing business. To achieve that result, FAs at all levels have promoted propaganda through many channels, from branch meetings to training courses, helping farmer members understand that: cooperation is to become stronger together, not to tie each other down.

In many localities, the Association also acts as a "matchmaker" connecting people with businesses, thereby forming production and consumption chains. Many cooperatives have stable consumption contracts, products are put on e-commerce platforms, have QR codes for traceability, and have clear packaging and brands.

Not just talk, the Provincial Farmers' Association and the people really do it. In 3 years, the Association organized training courses to improve management skills for hundreds of cooperative officials and association group leaders. There are farmers in ethnic minority areas who were only familiar with hoes and plows, but have learned how to make production plans, orient the market, and even livestream sales. The propaganda and mobilization for the development of collective economic models are integrated into new rural construction, poverty reduction, and startup programs. There are models that have been recognized as typical nationwide.

However, in reality, there are still many cooperatives operating at a low level due to lack of specialized human resources, lack of investment capital, and lack of management skills. Farmers in some localities are still used to doing business individually, afraid to contribute capital, afraid to share profits. Coordination between management agencies and socio -political organizations is sometimes fragmented and ineffective.

Comrade Bui Duc Bien, Vice Chairman of the Provincial Farmers' Association, said: "To develop a sustainable collective economy, we cannot just mobilize once and then leave it there. We need to persistently promote, choose suitable models, train good management teams, and especially must be associated with real benefits for farmers, especially farmers in ethnic minority areas. From "each family does it alone" to "joining hands", the path to developing farmers' cooperation is still long."

Accordingly, in the coming time, the Farmers’ Association at all levels will continue to connect businesses with farmers, build chain production models, support the application of digital technology and modern management for new-style cooperatives. In particular, promote support for rural start-ups, helping farmers, especially young farmers, feel secure in sticking with the collective economy.

Thu Hang

Source: https://baohoabinh.com.vn/12/201991/Nong-dan-cac-dan-toc-noi-vong-lien-ket,-chung-suc-lam-an.htm