Leveraging the power of collaboration to elevate the quality of Vinh Long's agricultural products.

The First Congress of Delegates of the Vinh Long Provincial Farmers' Association was solemnly held.

* Mr. Vo Tien Si - Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Vinh Long province: Developing the coconut industry in Vinh Long province towards a modern, high-value, and environmentally friendly direction.

For many years, Vinh Long province has consistently identified coconut trees as a unique advantage with high economic value and suitability to the province's natural conditions and soil. By the end of 2025, Vinh Long had developed over 119,000 hectares of coconut trees, ranking first in the country and accounting for over 50% of the national coconut area. The estimated production in 2025 is over 1.3 million tons, making a significant contribution to the income of more than 80,000 farming households.

Along with its large raw material area, Vinh Long currently has 151 processing enterprises, with many key product groups such as: coconut water, dried shredded coconut, coconut milk, activated charcoal, coconut fiber, cosmetic products and functional foods from coconut… Export turnover is estimated to reach 500 million USD in 2025. These results affirm the important position of coconut trees in the province's economy, while opening up great potential for the development of green agriculture, circular economy and deep processing industry. However, the coconut industry is also facing many difficulties due to the impact of climate change, fluctuating production and prices, the continued risk of pests, stricter export market standards and raw material shortages forcing businesses to import coconuts from abroad…

To develop a sustainable, high-value, and modern coconut industry, it is necessary to focus on strongly developing organic coconut production – the foundation of green, environmentally friendly, and high-value agriculture; and to promote the role of farmers, cooperatives, and businesses. These are the central forces in developing the value chain, while also strengthening digital transformation to create momentum for improving governance and the value of the industry. With outstanding advantages, with the support of farmers, cooperatives, and businesses, and with the guidance and attention of the Provincial Party Committee and the Provincial People's Committee, we have every reason to believe that the coconut industry in Vinh Long will develop strongly, in a modern, high-value, and environmentally friendly direction, becoming one of the important pillars of agriculture in the period 2025-2030 and beyond.

*Farmer Phan Duc Tai – Director of Thanh Chi Cooperative: Linking and cooperating in production along the value chain and product consumption.

Thanh Chi Agricultural Cooperative was established in October 2022 with only 10 members, a mere 3.6 hectares of seedless lemon cultivation, and a very simple wish: "to ensure that farmers' products are no longer subject to the fluctuating prices of the market."

In just over three years, from a small group, the cooperative has grown into an organization with 142 affiliated members, covering an area of 240 hectares across 12 communes in Vinh Long province; of which 90 hectares are currently producing fruit. This is not only a growth in scale but also a testament to farmers' confidence in the path of linkage and cooperation. In the 2025-2026 period, the cooperative will continue to expand by 150 hectares, gradually realizing the goal of 300 hectares of seedless lemons meeting 100% export standards by 2027 through a strategic partnership with The Fruit Republic (Netherlands) - an export enterprise.

Thanks to this linkage, each cooperative member is no longer "alone" in production; they receive support in terms of seeds, techniques, and technology transfer; and guidance on production according to GlobalGAP standards – the "passport" for Vietnamese lemons to enter the EU, UK, New Zealand, and South Korean markets.

Company and cooperative technicians provide on-site support, ensuring strict procedures from flower and fruit processing to pest and disease control. The cooperative commits to a minimum price of 10,000 VND/kg, even during significant market downturns. Currently, the cooperative supplies 120-150 tons per month, allowing farmers to earn profits 7-8 times higher than growing rice. This is a "telling figure," a source of joy and motivation for farmers to boldly embrace innovation.

However, to achieve the target of 300 hectares by 2027, the cooperative still faces difficulties and challenges as many households are still concerned about capital and technical expertise; the need to expand the raw material area requires significant resources and further raising awareness about the new cooperative model is necessary.

Therefore, the cooperative proposed continued support with preferential capital, especially from the Farmers' Support Fund for newly participating households. It also suggested strengthening communication about the benefits of the cooperative so that farmers "understand correctly, act correctly, and confidently participate."

Creating favorable conditions for cooperatives to participate in trade promotion programs and apply science and technology to improve export quality. Each hectare of seedless lemons is linked, each farmer household is protected in terms of output, and each product meets GlobalGAP standards for export… these are solid steps for Vinh Long's agriculture to reach new heights.

Thanh Chi Cooperative will continue to work alongside farmers and businesses, joining hands to build a modern, efficient, and integrated agricultural sector, making a worthy contribution to the overall development of the province.

TUYET NGA - NGUYEN THINH (summary)

Source: https://baovinhlong.com.vn/kinh-te/202512/phat-huy-suc-manh-lien-ket-nang-tam-nong-san-vinh-long-dfe28db/