Developing cooperatives in ethnic minority areas.

To implement poverty reduction efforts in ethnic minority areas, Son La province has deployed models to support concentrated production development, established cooperatives, and helped ethnic minorities change their production methods and increase their income.

Báo Sơn La•20/05/2026

The organic vegetable farming model of Van Ho Retreat Cooperative, Van Ho commune.

In recent years, the collective economic sector in ethnic minority communes has witnessed significant changes in both mindset and production organization methods. From a self-sufficient, small-scale, and uncoordinated production model, people have shifted to a "work together - benefit together" mindset, linking together in common raw material areas, applying unified technical processes, new varieties, mechanization, and signing output agreements with businesses. To date, the province has 995 cooperatives, of which more than 800 are located in ethnic minority communes; approximately 80% of these cooperatives operate in the agricultural sector; the remainder are in the service, trade, and community tourism sectors. Many cooperatives in particularly disadvantaged communes have access to capital to develop production, create value chains, and promote entrepreneurship and business startups.

Xuan Tien Agricultural Cooperative, located in Yen Chau commune, is situated in Zone III and directly benefits from support programs under the National Target Program 1719. Currently, the cooperative's main product is round mangoes. Through the support funds, the cooperative has been empowered to preserve and propagate native round mango varieties, improve productivity, and shift its mindset towards commercial agriculture. The cooperative has also received investment in product storage facilities and participated in technical training courses on online sales and cooperative management. As a result, the production of round mangoes has increasingly yielded economic value and gained widespread market recognition; product quality has been upgraded to meet OCOP standards. Also using the support funds, from April 2025, the cooperative, in collaboration with the Institute of Vegetable and Fruit Research, will pilot a model of grafting large honey apple trees to supply supermarkets in Hanoi. Notably, the cooperative provides regular employment for 10-15 ethnic Thai workers, with an income of 5-6 million VND per month.

Members of the Sang Na Tre Cooperative in Chieng Mai commune invested in greenhouses using subsidized funding.

Mr. Quang Van Xuan, Director of Xuan Tien Agricultural Cooperative, said: Currently, the cooperative manages 60 hectares of rare native round mangoes, located within the geographical indication area, and 5 hectares of large apples. The entire area of fruit trees is cultivated organically, safely, and sustainably. On average, the cooperative harvests over 300 tons of round mangoes annually, selling them at an average price of 25,000 VND/kg, resulting in a profit of nearly 500 million VND after deducting expenses.

In Van Ho commune, over 90% of the population are ethnic minorities. With its advantageous location along National Highway 6, diverse topography, mild and clean climate, and rich landscape, the commune has the potential to develop high-tech agricultural cooperatives linked to processing industries and eco -tourism and resort activities.

Van Ho Retreat Cooperative, located in Van Ho commune, has 8 members who are Mong ethnic households. They specialize in growing vegetables combined with experiential tourism and selling their products online; introducing and selling agricultural products on digital platforms.

Mr. Vu Pat Ly, Director of the Cooperative, shared: Established in 2025, the Cooperative has built a team of online sales personnel, all of whom are ethnic minorities aged 19-35. Since receiving support from the Cooperative, members have also learned how to create scripts and edit videos to introduce their products. Therefore, the Cooperative's agricultural products are sold smoothly. With 30 hectares of vegetables, the Cooperative supplies about 100 tons of seasonal organic vegetables such as cabbage, cauliflower, tomatoes, cucumbers, pumpkins, etc., to supermarkets and organic produce stores in the northern provinces each year.

Xuan Tien Agricultural Cooperative in Yen Chau commune is selling round mangoes.

Over the past period, cooperative models in the province have not only played a role in gathering and mobilizing people but also contributed to changing the mindset and practices of the people; applying scientific and technological advancements, improving production efficiency; creating jobs, and promoting socio-economic development in ethnic minority areas. With specific orientations and support, cooperatives in the province have expanded effective production linkages. Typical examples include the fruit tree cultivation models of Ngoc Hoang Agricultural Cooperative in Ta Hoc commune; Ban On Fruit Cooperative in Thao Nguyen ward; Chieng Hac Cooperative in Chieng Hac commune; Nghia Hung Cooperative and Phu Yen Organic Orange Cooperative in Muong Coi commune; along with safe vegetable cultivation models of Chieng Phu Agricultural Cooperative in Yen Chau commune; Muong Tac Agricultural Service Cooperative in Phu Yen commune...

Mr. Le Huy Phong, Vice Chairman of the Provincial Cooperative Union, said: The establishment and operation of cooperatives in ethnic minority areas have contributed to better exploitation of the potential and advantages in each locality; members' income has increased significantly, with average cooperative revenue reaching 2 billion VND/year, and regular labor income around 72 million VND/year; the poverty rate among ethnic minorities has decreased by an average of 3%/year.

Increasingly asserting their role in supporting and linking production, improving economic efficiency, and generating income for people, cooperatives in ethnic minority areas across the province are contributing effectively to poverty reduction efforts in these areas.

Source: https://baosonla.vn/kinh-te/phat-trien-hop-tac-xa-vung-dong-bao-dan-toc-thieu-so-D06MfzJvg.html