Thanh Hoa: High-tech cooperatives create momentum for new rural development.

DNVN - In the process of building new rural areas in a more in-depth and substantive manner, high-tech agricultural cooperatives in the province are increasingly affirming their core role, becoming a "facilitator" for commodity agricultural production, contributing to changing the mindset and production methods of rural people.

During the period 2021-2025, the entire province supported the construction of 42 agricultural cooperative models applying high technology and linked to value chains, with a total budget of over 44.6 billion VND. Of this, the provincial budget contributed over 31.4 billion VND, and the cooperatives contributed over 13.1 billion VND. This resource is considered a crucial "lever," helping cooperatives confidently invest in modern machinery and equipment, gradually shifting from small-scale, fragmented production to concentrated production, applying scientific and technological advancements, and improving the productivity, quality, and added value of agricultural products.

Thanks to the increased mechanization and automation of production processes, labor costs for many cooperatives have decreased by 15-20%, service costs by 10-20%, and crop and livestock productivity has increased significantly. Not only have these benefits brought economic efficiency, but the supported cooperatives have also gradually improved their management systems, operating in an increasingly systematic and professional manner. Many cooperatives have expanded to include one or two additional service areas, such as safe vegetable production, integrated mechanization, and product distribution linkages. Revenue and profits have increased steadily over the years, with growth rates of 5.5% or more; the average income of regular workers in cooperatives has improved, contributing to job creation for rural laborers.

Residents of Ho Vuong commune are collaborating with agricultural cooperatives in the area to produce melons in greenhouses using high-tech methods. Photo: Thanh Hoa Newspaper.

Alongside the provincial support policies, many localities have also flexibly integrated programs such as supporting production development, winter crop production, land consolidation, organic farming, support for building greenhouses and net houses, and VietGAP certification. This creates a favorable environment for cooperatives to develop sustainably, making practical contributions to advanced and model new rural development.

It is noteworthy that from the initial support received by agricultural cooperatives applying high-tech methods, most have now proactively expanded their scale and production area, becoming reliable models for other cooperatives and people to visit, learn from, and replicate. The role of cooperatives as a "bridge" between businesses and producers is increasingly evident, especially in the development of sustainable, traceable agricultural product chains that meet the increasingly high demands of the market.

According to Mr. Nguyen Xuan Thien, Director of Dong Tien Agricultural Service Cooperative, Dong Tien Ward, "Thanks to the State's support policies, the cooperative has invested in 20,000 square meters of greenhouses, 2,000 square meters of orchid cultivation, and applied high-tech methods to the production of Kim Hoang Hau yellow melons, baby cucumbers, tomatoes, and leafy vegetables according to VietGAP and organic standards." Each year, the cooperative supplies hundreds of tons of high-quality agricultural products to the market, generating profits of 2.5 - 3 billion VND and creating stable jobs for dozens of local workers.

To date, the province has built 220 hectares of greenhouses and net houses for high-tech agricultural production. The application of modern technologies has significantly increased profits compared to traditional methods, with crop production increasing 2-3 times and aquaculture reaching 2-5 billion VND/hectare/year. Currently, the province has 195 agricultural cooperatives applying high-tech technologies, accounting for over 24% of the total number of agricultural cooperatives. These cooperatives have been applying a variety of advanced technologies such as drip irrigation, sprinkler irrigation combined with automatic fertilization; production in greenhouses and net houses; the use of temperature and humidity sensors; intensive and super-intensive aquaculture using high-tech methods; and the construction of processing facilities and cold storage for post-harvest preservation.

It can be affirmed that agricultural cooperatives applying high technology are becoming an important driving force to promote production development, increase people's income, and contribute to changing the face of rural areas. From traditional production fields, concentrated, modern production areas linked to the market are gradually forming. This is the sustainable "impetus" for communes and wards in the province to continue improving the quality of rural development in the coming period.

Bao Ngoc

Source: https://doanhnghiepvn.vn/chuyen-doi-so/thanh-hoa-hop-tac-xa-cong-nghe-cao-tao-suc-bat-cho-nong-thon-moi/20260121084050976