Creating self-selling skills for Dak Nong farmers

Not only good at production, more and more farmers in Dak Nong have proactively learned and improved their skills in consuming agricultural products.

More than 6 years ago, Mr. Be Van Chien in Quang Son commune, Dak Glong district joined Thinh Phat Agricultural - Medicinal Materials - Commercial Services Cooperative. Mr. Chien was guided by Thinh Phat Cooperative in the process of growing VietGAP vegetables. Since then, each year 1 hectare of vegetables has brought his family about 250-280 million VND.

Mr. Be Van Chien, a member of Thinh Phat Cooperative, Quang Son Commune, Dak Glong District, sells products at the Product Consumption Connection Conference held in Gia Nghia City last April.

“We are not only guided by the cooperative in clean agricultural production techniques but also in sales knowledge. Every year, I and other farmers participate in many trade promotion fairs and events in and outside the province. This helps me feel confident when introducing my family’s products in particular and the cooperative’s products in general,” Mr. Chien shared.

It is known that Thinh Phat Cooperative currently has over 200 farmers as members, linking together to grow about 800 hectares of vegetables, tubers, fruits, pepper, coffee, and fruit trees each year.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Tot in Truong Xuan commune, Dak Song district, who has grown coffee for 20 years, shared: “A few years ago, I joined the Bechamp Dak Nong Cooperative and learned many useful things. We were trained and supported by the Cooperative and the Farmers' Association of Dak Song district to connect and consume products on digital platforms such as Facebook, Zalo, TikTok... From here, I can connect and sell ground coffee to customers nationwide very conveniently.”

Ms. Tran Thi Hop, Vice President of Farmers' Association of N'Jrieng village, Dak Nia commune, Gia Nghia city, shared market information and knowledge of selling agricultural products to people in the area to get good prices and avoid being forced to lower prices.

Ms. Tran Thi Hop, Vice President of the Farmers' Association of N'Jrieng hamlet, Dak Nia commune, shared that her family grows 2 hectares with more than 3,000 coffee and pepper trees, earning 6-10 tons each year. As an association officer, she is informed and trained on how to produce good agricultural products and sell them to improve economic efficiency.

“In the past, I and many people in the area only knew how to plant, harvest, dry and wait for traders to buy or transport everything to agents for consignment. But in recent years, we have been informed by farmers' associations and specialized agencies about the domestic and international agricultural markets, so we understand and change the way we sell. Official information from authorities helps farmers avoid being forced to lower prices by agents and trading companies. We dry coffee and pepper and store them at home, waiting for a good price before selling,” Ms. Hop shared.

In reality, although Dak Nong agricultural products are of quite high quality, output is still a major bottleneck. Part of the reason is that farmers are not familiar with modern market approaches, lack sales skills, brand building, price negotiation, etc.

Mr. Ho Gam, Chairman of Dak Nong Farmers' Association said: "We realize that farmers' need to learn is very large, especially in the context of an increasingly competitive market. Therefore, from 2023 to now, the associations at all levels have actively coordinated with units to open training courses on agricultural product consumption, e-commerce skills, brand building, and traceability"...

Along with that, OCOP programs, building new cooperatives and linking production and consumption are also creating a foundation for farmers to gain more knowledge and skills to commercialize products. The Provincial Farmers' Association actively implements coordination programs, organizes experience sharing sessions from good farmers and successful startups. Some models such as organic coffee cooperatives, clean durian production groups, safe vegetable cooperatives, etc. have built stable distribution channels at wholesale markets, mini supermarkets and clean food stores.

Farmers in Truong Xuan commune, Dak Song district introduced the process of growing lychee in the Central Highlands, attracting tourists to buy the product.

Although there is still much to do, it is undeniable that Dak Nong farmers are proactive and creative in their journey to “go to market” with their products. With the support of the government, associations and businesses, a new generation of farmers with the skills of “knowing how to grow well and sell well” is gradually forming, creating an important change for local agriculture, increasing economic efficiency.

Source: https://baodaknong.vn/tao-ky-nang-tu-ban-hang-cho-nong-dan-dak-nong-254339.html