Improve cooperative operations

Innovation in operating methods

According to the Long An Provincial Cooperative Union, in recent years, in the context of gradual socio-economic recovery, although there are still many difficulties and challenges affecting production and business, cooperatives have tried to overcome difficulties to maintain operations. In 2024, cooperatives have seen many improvements, especially in the agricultural sector. Cooperative models have been regularly consolidated and rectified, bringing practical economic efficiency. Production and business activities of cooperatives have been promoted and have had many clear changes.

Vice Chairman in charge of the Provincial Cooperative Union - Tran Hoai Bao said: In recent years, a number of cooperatives have applied high technology to production, bringing initial efficiency. In particular, cooperatives focus on food safety, product labels and traceability, enhancing value and brand such as safe vegetable cooperatives, agricultural cooperatives applying advanced agricultural technology, etc. Currently, there are 309 cooperatives in the province, of which 120 are applying advanced agricultural technology.

Tan Thanh High-Tech Agricultural Cooperative (Thu Thua district) purchases limes from farmers

Tan Thanh High-Tech Agricultural Cooperative (Thu Thua district) was established in 2018, on the basis of capital contributions from 11 members with an initial registered capital of 9 billion VND. At one point, 11 members of the cooperative produced up to 50 hectares of custard apples and dragon fruit. Applying advanced agricultural technology in agricultural production, the cooperative always selects new varieties and applies advanced production methods such as automatic irrigation. The unit always uses clean, organic fertilizer and biological preparation in producing.

However, after a period of operation, the cooperative encountered many difficulties, leading to the loss of efficiency In October 2023, Ms. Huynh Thi My Hanh joined the cooperative and became the Chairwoman of the Board of Directors and Director. The cooperative was gradually consolidated, expanded in scale and developed again. Currently, the cooperative has 19 official members, a cultivated area of ​​more than 30 hectares and the number of associated members is increasing. Chairwoman of the Board of Directors and Director of Tan Thanh High-Tech Agricultural Cooperative (Thu Thua District) - Huynh Thi My Hanh hopes that the two products of dishwashing liquid and laundry detergent made from 100% fresh limes will solve the problem of unselected limes for farmers

Chairwoman of the Board of Directors and Director of Tan Thanh High-Tech Agricultural Cooperative - Huynh Thi My Hanh said: "Since taking over the cooperative, I have determined a sustainable development strategy by shifting to growing seedless limes. However, the cooperative still faces some difficulties, especially infrastructure issues. The current headquarters must be rented, the area is limited, and does not meet the development needs. The cooperative has invested in a modern machinery system to classify and wash limes, yet it still lacks of area and space for optimal wastewater treatment".

According to Ms. Hanh, the cooperative has a plan to invest in cold storage, but because the leased premises are about to expire, the plan cannot be implemented. Currently, the cooperative has found a new location with all the necessary conditions and is in the process of completing legal procedures to be able to build a larger factory. In 2024, despite the difficulties, the cooperative still supplied the market with more than 1,200 tons of seedless limes. In addition, Ms. Hanh has researched and developed two valuable products from limes: dishwashing liquid and laundry detergent made from 100% fresh limes. “Previously, limes that did not meet size standards or were discarded were often thrown away by farmers or sold at very low prices. This caused waste and reduced economic efficiency for farmers. From there, I researched and developed two environmentally friendly products that do not contain toxic chemicals, in line with the green consumption trend. Later, when officially launched, the cooperative will directly purchase unselected limes from farmers at a higher price, then process them into dishwashing liquid and laundry detergent under the cooperative’s brand” - Ms. Hanh shared.

Strengthening value chain linkages

Also according to the Provincial Cooperative Union, currently, the number of effectively operating cooperatives is still low, with weak management and operation capacity, and limited market connectivity. The construction of new models, effective cooperative models, and models of production and consumption chain linkages with enterprises is still low. The operational capacity of cooperatives is uneven, unsustainable and unstable development, not fully setting aside funds according to the provisions of the Law on Cooperatives.

Speaking at the concluding meeting to evaluate the performance of the collective economic sector and cooperatives in the province in 2024 and set out the directions and tasks for 2025, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee - Huynh Van Son requested that in the coming time, the province focus on deploying and implementing key tasks and solutions assigned by the Provincial People's Committee in the Collective Economic Development Plan for the period 2021-2025 and annually. Accordingly, focusing on 7 groups of solutions issued by the Provincial People's Committee, striving to achieve specific goals in 2025: There are  20 newly established cooperatives, 30 newly established cooperative groups; improving the efficiency of cooperatives (at least 40% of cooperatives operate quite well); consolidating the operations of cooperatives with the potential for development; resolutely dissolving weak cooperatives and ineffective cooperatives; striving for over 50% of cooperatives in the province to participate in value chain linkages, applying high-tech into production; improving the capacity of staff; etc.

The Muoi Hai Safe Vegetable Cooperative (Can Duoc district) applies automatic irrigation technology, remote control in production

The Muoi Hai Safe Vegetable Cooperative (Can Duoc district) is a clear demonstration of improving the efficiency of cooperative operations through production innovation and technology application. Originating from a vegetable production cooperative with more than 15 years of experience, the members of the cooperative are constantly learning, improving and applying scientific and technical advances to improve productivity as well as product quality.

When it was first established in 2017, the cooperative encountered many difficulties in terms of investment capital and output because it did not have a brand in the market. However, after only 1 year, thanks to the consensus of the members and support from the authorities, the cooperative expanded its cultivation area to 30 hectares, gradually building a safe vegetable production chain. Investing in a greenhouse and automatic irrigation system at a reasonable cost (about 35 million VND/1,000m²) helps the cooperative optimize the cultivation process, increase productivity and ensure product quality.

In addition, the cooperative focuses on applying digital technology to production and business activities. According to the Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director of Muoi Hai Safe Vegetable Cooperative - Le Van Giay, building a website not only helps expand the consumption market but also enhances brand reputation. Thanks to that, consumers can easily access clean and safe vegetables; at the same time, the cooperative also strengthens connections with potential partners.

Mr. Tran Hoai Bao added: To improve the quality of the cooperative's operations, linking value chain is very important. This is a form of linking according to a closed chain from production to purchasing, processing and consuming products. However, currently, cooperatives in the province still face many difficulties. Many cooperatives were established since the implementation of the National Target Program on New Rural Development with limited capacity. To be able to carry out the linkage, cooperatives must have a certain development, understand the breadth of the market, evaluate customers, advise farmers, etc./.

By Khanh Duy - Translated by Q. Thien

Source: https://baolongan.vn/nang-cao-hoat-dong-cua-hop-tac-xa-a192696.html