Empowering women to confidently lead cooperatives

Over the years, women's unions at all levels in the province have made efforts to support women in establishing and developing cooperatives owned or managed by women, helping women confidently start businesses, develop the economy, and create jobs for many workers, especially female workers.

Sapa Secrets Cooperative in Sa Xeng village, Ta Phin commune was established in 2018, with Ms. Tran Anh Xuan as Director, mainly producing and processing products from native red perilla combined with tourism activities. Up to now, the cooperative has 7 official members and 30 associate members, has developed a 10-hectare red perilla raw material area, processed into many products such as: tea, essential oils, distilled water, health care products...; annual revenue reaches 2-3 billion VND.

10-hectare perilla farm of Sapa Secrets Cooperative.

Director of the Cooperative Tran Anh Xuan shared: "During the process of establishing and operating the Cooperative, I received support from the Provincial Women's Union in many aspects, from training on start-ups, management to marketing... In particular, the Cooperative was supported with 500 million VND from non-refundable capital to invest in purchasing machinery and production equipment and access preferential loans from the Social Policy Bank to invest in factories. These sources of support are very meaningful to the Cooperative, creating more conditions and opportunities for the Cooperative to develop further."

In Van Phu ward, Nhat Khue Production, Processing, Trade and Service Cooperative was established in 2024 by a disabled woman as director. Ms. Tran Thi Mai Anh - Director of the Cooperative shared: "I cherished the idea of ​​starting a business by establishing a cooperative for the production and trading of clean food and local specialties, but encountered major obstacles due to lack of capital. Fortunately, through the Provincial Women's Union, I received guidance and advice on legal procedures to establish the cooperative and especially received a financial support of more than 70 million VND. This funding source helped me have about 80% of the capital to invest in initial machinery, putting the cooperative into operation".

Since its inception, the cooperative has also been facilitated by the Provincial Women's Union to participate in activities to display, introduce and promote products at fairs jointly organized by the Provincial Women's Union, thereby increasing opportunities to promote and consume products for the cooperative. Currently, the cooperative has 8 members, of which 3 members are disabled people and is associated with a number of members who are ethnic minority women to purchase specialty products of a number of localities.

Nhat Khue Production, Processing, Trade and Service Cooperative received financial support.
and facilitate participation in fairs to promote and introduce regional specialties.

Phuc Son Organic Agricultural Production Cooperative in Cau Thia Ward was also born from the orientation of the Women's Union at the grassroots level. Established 5 years ago, with the orientation of the Women's Union, the cooperative gathered members who were women members to produce organic agriculture together. Members participated in many training courses on organic agricultural production organized by the Women's Union at all levels. Up to now, the cooperative has 12 members, linked with 80 households, focusing on growing agricultural products including: Seng Cu rice, green J chili, baby melon, Japanese sword cucumber, pumpkin, bitter melon for seeds; on average, each crop produces from 5 - 7 hectares.

Ms. Dinh Thi Ngoc Lan - Director of Phuc Son Organic Agricultural Production Cooperative said: The cooperative cultivates in an organic, concentrated manner with technical control, thereby improving production efficiency. The cooperative also cooperates to consume products, helping to increase income for members and associated households. The rate of products consumed through contracts reaches over 95% of output, contributing to stabilizing output and increasing confidence for production households. About 80% of households participating in production have significantly improved their economy .

Organically produced Seng Cu rice is the main product of
Phuc Son Organic Agricultural Production Cooperative.

Mobilizing women to actively participate in cooperative economic models is one of the important tasks in implementing the Project "Supporting women to start businesses in the period 2017 - 2025" (Project 939) chaired by the Women's Union. In the period 2017 - 2025, the Provincial Women's Union at all levels actively mobilized women to participate in cooperative economic models according to the value chain; provided advice and support on legal procedures for establishment, supported access to preferential credit sources for cooperatives; provided training and advice to improve knowledge and skills in management and operation of cooperatives and enterprises for female managers and owners; supported access to markets, information, technology, linkages, cooperation to improve efficiency and enhance competitiveness... creating more conditions and opportunities for cooperatives to operate effectively.

With the support of the Women's Union and the efforts of women, in the period of 2017 - 2025, the Provincial Women's Union at all levels has advised and supported the establishment and launch of 41 female-owned cooperatives with 562 members participating, maintaining effective operations, contributing to job creation and creating stable income for members with an average of 3.5 - 4 million VND/member/month.

With the support of the Women's Union at all levels, cooperatives owned and managed by women not only help women start businesses and get rich, but also promote the spirit of cooperation, solidarity and sustainable development.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/tiep-suc-de-phu-nu-vung-tin-lam-chu-hop-tac-xa-post884210.html