Bringing agricultural products far and wide, enhancing local value

Choose the path from clean production

Doan Ket Cooperative was established on November 5, 2014 with 25 members, the initial total agricultural area was 75 hectares. Of which, the coffee area of 70 hectares yielded about 200 tons/year and the pepper area of 5 hectares yielded 20 tons/year. In the early years, the Cooperative encountered many difficulties both financially and technically. Farmers mainly produced according to old practices, still overusing herbicides and pesticides, and the agricultural products were not linked to consumption, with low economic value.

Mr. Luu Nhu Binh (left) introduces the Cooperative's OCOP products at the 1st Party Congress of Duc An commune

Realizing that if the old way of doing things continued, the value of agricultural products would not increase, in 2017, the cooperative's board of directors decided to change direction. Cooperative Chairman Luu Nhu Binh and the cooperative's collective persistently studied and learned from professional agencies, from the commune to the province, to convert to sustainable agricultural production, moving towards organic agriculture. This move brought about a clear change. In 2019, the cooperative launched a line of clean, high-quality semi-organic coffee products. By 2020, the cooperative had its first member certified as organic for pepper with an area of 2 hectares, an output of 7 tons, and sold at 25% higher than the market price. By 2023, the cooperative had 4 members certified as organic pepper, with an area of 9.4 hectares and an output of 35 tons.

Currently, the cooperative has 75 official members, 60 associate members, and a production area of 450 hectares. Of which, 4C coffee is 101 hectares, with an output of 300 tons, high-quality coffee is 50 tons; pepper is 185 hectares, of which 22 members have an area of 42.2 hectares with USDA - NOP organic certification, an output of 150 tons/year, increasing the value by 30 - 40% compared to regular pepper.

Affirming the role of cooperatives

Along with expanding area and output, the Cooperative has developed two 3-star OCOP products: Rung Lanh ground coffee and Rung Lanh black pepper. At the same time, the Cooperative became a partner of NEDSPICE Vietnam Company in developing organic pepper. In 2024, the Cooperative was recognized as being in the high-tech coffee production area according to Decision No. 1539-QD/UBND of the province.

This result is clearly shown in the revenue of 2024 - 2025, when the total revenue from coffee and pepper of the Cooperative reaches 186 billion VND. Of which, raw coffee accounts for the largest proportion with 850 tons, bringing in more than 106.2 billion VND; high-quality coffee 50 tons reaches 7.75 billion VND. Particularly for pepper, thanks to organic production, the Cooperative earns 30 billion VND from 150 tons of organic pepper, along with 42 billion VND from 300 tons of RA-standard pepper. After deducting production costs of more than 38.7 billion VND, the actual profit of the Cooperative is up to 147.3 billion VND. More importantly, all products made by the Cooperative are purchased by affiliated units. This is a clear demonstration of the successful transformation from traditional production to clean, sustainable production.

Looking back over the past 10 years, Doan Ket Cooperative has been on the right track, promoting the potential of local agricultural products. The role of the Cooperative, especially the perseverance and determination of the Board of Directors, is the key factor in turning Duc An coffee and pepper from traditional products into internationally certified, branded goods. The Cooperative has determined its direction for the coming years to continue expanding the area of organic coffee and pepper, developing sustainable production, contributing to building a green, clean environment, and enhancing the value of the local economy.

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/ua-nong-san-di-xa-nang-tam-gia-tri-dia-phuong-395679.html