Developing the collective economy in Binh Tan

In the context of fragmented agriculture and fluctuating market prices, developing the collective economy is seen as the optimal solution to help farmers increase their access to markets, apply science and technology, and share risks.

Mr. Trinh The Hao (residing in Binh Tan commune) is harvesting durian.

With systematic, creative, and practical approaches, cooperative models and cooperative groups in Binh Tan commune (Dong Nai province) have been affirming their important role in developing agricultural production, increasing people's income, and contributing to building sustainable new rural areas.

Rethink, change your approach.

Like many other localities, the cooperative economy in Binh Tan commune once went through a difficult period, operating inefficiently. Most of the former cooperatives lacked capital, technical expertise, and were not closely linked to market demands. Farmers were accustomed to small-scale, fragmented production and had little faith in the cooperative model, resulting in a small number of members and low operational efficiency. However, when embarking on the new rural development program, Binh Tan commune identified the development of the cooperative economy as a key task. If farmers continued to produce on a small scale, it would be difficult to increase product value and compete in the market. Therefore, the commune collaborated with the Provincial Cooperative Union and relevant agencies to consolidate and rebuild the cooperative model in a new direction.

The Hong Nip Green Pomelo Cooperative (Binh Tan commune) has 8 members with a total area of ​​60 hectares, of which 5 members are ethnic minorities. The cooperative was founded and is managed by Mr. Lau Sy Nip, known as the "green pomelo billionaire". His family alone owns 30 hectares, of which 25 hectares are currently producing fruit, generating billions of dong in revenue each year. The cooperative has made a breakthrough by applying production processes according to VietGAP standards and being certified by FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) as compliant with TCVN 11892-1:2017, opening a new direction for green pomelo products.

Previously, farmers cultivated crops on a small scale, relying on traders. Now, the cooperative has reformed its approach, organizing concentrated raw material areas, practicing organic farming, limiting chemical fertilizers, and adhering to proper cultivation techniques and flowering control procedures. The products not only have a stable market in supermarkets and wholesale markets but are also aiming for direct export to demanding markets.

Mr. Lau Sy Nip affirmed: The most important thing about the cooperative's innovation is the shift in production mindset from fragmented to integrated, from chasing quantity to focusing on quality and branding. Thanks to this, the Hong Nip Green Pomelo Cooperative is becoming a model example, contributing to increased income for farmers and affirming the position of Dong Nai's agricultural products.

“As the Director of the Cooperative, I require members to strictly adhere to regulations, ensuring that pomelo products always meet clean and safe standards, thereby building a reputable brand and promoting the sustainable development of the Cooperative. From 2017 to the present, the entire area of ​​green-skinned pomelos of my family has been recognized by the competent authorities as a production model according to VietGAP standards. Currently, all of the Cooperative's pomelos have a stable market outlet at supermarkets and wholesale markets…” - Mr. Lau Sy Nip happily stated.

No need to worry about being pressured into accepting low prices.

From its early days, the Long Binh Durian Cooperative (Binh Tan commune) has affirmed the role of the cooperative economy as a core element, developing increasingly significantly and contributing greatly to stabilizing production and socio -economic development in the locality. Currently, the Long Binh Durian Cooperative has 24 members. The total area planted with durian is 72 hectares, with an average yield of 8-20 tons/ha. Of this, 20 hectares are planted according to the VietGAP model. In addition, the cooperative members have also built electronic logs and digital transformation tools in agricultural production, with 20 hectares using the AutoAgri software application to ensure transparency from production to consumer.

Mr. Nghiem Van Giang, Director of Long Binh Durian Cooperative, said: "For many years, the cooperative has pursued a clean production model, applying VietGAP standards in production, and has completed the procedures for obtaining a planting area code for official export. Obtaining a planting area code will bring great opportunities to farmers and the cooperative. To prepare for official durian export to the Chinese market, the cooperative is encouraging members to comply with regulations, expand clean production areas, and invest in facilities for packaging and preservation according to partner requirements."

The Long Binh Durian Cooperative has been certified by the FAO Certification and Inspection Organization as conforming to Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) standards for durian cultivation according to TCVN 11892-1:2017. With this certification, the Long Binh Durian Cooperative meets the quality requirements to supply its products to markets such as supermarkets in neighboring areas, major cities nationwide, and other markets with high demands.

Mr. Trinh The Hao, a member of the Long Binh Durian Cooperative, shared: “Previously, my family grew durian using traditional methods, resulting in low yields and unstable sales to traders. Since joining the cooperative, I have received technical training and been able to find markets, so I feel more secure in my production. Each year, my income has increased by more than 100 million VND.”

The most noticeable result is the steadily increasing income of the people. Previously, the fluctuating prices of cashew nuts and pepper made life difficult for the people. Now, thanks to the linkages within the cooperative, the output is more stable, and the selling price is 10-15% higher than the market price. Many households no longer face the situation of "bumper harvest, falling prices".

Moreover, the collective economic model in Binh Tan has created a shift in awareness. From individual production, people have gradually become accustomed to linking and cooperating for mutual development. The commune government also considers the collective economic model an important "tool" in building advanced new rural areas - linking collective production models with criteria for income, production organization, environment, and social welfare.

…And the concerns

Despite achieving many positive results, the cooperative economy in Binh Tan still faces numerous difficulties. These include the small scale of cooperatives, limited capital, and low management capacity. Some cooperatives lack long-term business strategies and remain heavily dependent on government support. In particular, building brands and collective trademarks for agricultural products remains a challenging task.

Therefore, for the cooperative economy to be truly sustainable, it is necessary to continue training and developing cooperative management staff, while also supporting cooperatives in accessing preferential capital sources, providing support in trade promotion, brand building, and bringing products to e-commerce platforms to expand markets.

Mr. Truong Van Thap, Chairman of the Farmers' Association of Binh Tan commune, said: "The practical experience from local cooperatives shows that when farmers cooperate, they not only have the opportunity to support each other in terms of capital, technology, and product outlets, but also contribute to the formation of concentrated raw material areas and the building of local agricultural product brands. This is vivid evidence that the spirit of the resolution has truly permeated life, becoming a driving force to promote the development of agricultural economy in Binh Tan towards modernity, efficiency, and integration."

Binh Tan commune currently has 10 cooperatives. Binh Tan aims to strengthen and improve the efficiency of agricultural cooperatives during the 2025-2030 period, while also developing new cooperative economic models.

Developing the cooperative economy in Binh Tan commune is not just an economic story, but also a testament to the solidarity and collective efforts of the people in building a new rural area. When farmers join hands and produce together along the value chain, the path to sustainable development and improved living standards will be wider than ever before.

Hien Luong

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/kinh-te/kinh-te-tap-the/202510/phat-trien-kinh-te-tap-the-o-binh-tan-f76004e/