The cooperative model helps farmers increase their income.

In response to the demands for innovation, development, and improved efficiency of the collective economy and cooperatives in recent times, and to apply these to the actual conditions of the locality, Yen Chau district has proactively issued many documents and concretized policies to raise awareness among officials, civil servants, and members of cooperatives.

Recognizing the important role of collective economy and cooperatives in promoting local socio-economic development, Yen Chau district has consistently implemented policies to support the establishment and development of agricultural cooperatives in accordance with the 2012 Cooperative Law.

Currently, Yen Chau district has over 60 cooperatives, including 45 fruit-growing cooperatives. The district has identified high-tech and organic agriculture as continuing to develop on a large scale, widely applying mechanization in production; developing safe agricultural product supply chains; applying good agricultural practices (VIETGAP); managing, protecting, and effectively utilizing export-eligible planting area codes; and having 6 products certified under the OCOP program.

Currently, Yen Chau has over 60 cooperatives, including 45 fruit-growing cooperatives. Photo: Van Ngoc

One of the first cooperatives to receive support in establishing and developing planting area codes since 2016, the Quyet Tam Fruit Cooperative in Hua Dan village, Tu Nang commune, now has nearly 200 hectares of mangoes and longan trees with registered planting area codes. The cooperative strictly adheres to production processes, which are fully and clearly documented. Cooperative members have replaced chemical pesticides with biological pesticides and used organic fertilizers to improve product quality and minimize environmental damage.

Since being granted a planting area code associated with VietGAP standards, the cooperative's mango products have been successfully exported to markets in countries such as the US, China, and Australia. In 2023, the cooperative's estimated production of longan and mangoes for export reached approximately 6,000 tons.

Mr. Duong Minh Ha, Director of Quyet Tam Fruit Cooperative, said: "Since being granted a planting area code and producing according to VietGAP standards, the quality of the fruit has improved, and its value has increased by more than double compared to traditional production. For example, longan sells for 13-14 thousand VND/kg, sometimes reaching 26 thousand VND/kg, a threefold increase in value. The cooperative also links with 1,400 mango growers, continuing to expand the area with granted planting area codes and expanding export markets to South Korea and Russia."

A model of cultivating late-ripening longan by farmers in Tu Nang commune, Yen Chau district. Photo: Van Ngoc.

The Chiềng Hặc Safe Agricultural Cooperative in Yên Châu district (Sơn La province) has been granted a planting area code and a packaging facility for agricultural products serving export, linked to production according to VietGAP and GlobalGAP standards since 2017. To date, the cooperative has over 80 hectares of green-skinned mango trees with export planting area codes. In recent years, the cooperative's mango products have been successfully exported to many markets including Australia, New Zealand, China, and the United States.

Mr. Ha Van Son, Director of Chieng Hac Safe Agricultural Cooperative, informed: The cooperative is continuing to expand its models to increase the area granted planting zone codes. The cooperative is linking with and encouraging households to comply with the "4 correct principles" in all stages of care, using fertilizers and pesticides according to export market standards, and using organic fertilizers to improve productivity, quality, and protect the environment.

The Chiềng Hặc Safe Agricultural Cooperative in Yên Châu district (Sơn La province) has been granted a planting area code and a product packaging facility code.
For export purposes. Photo: Van Ngoc

Yen Chau develops sustainable cooperative economy.

In the first nine months of the year, the District Department of Agriculture and Rural Development advised the District People's Committee to issue directives and organize the management and development of agricultural cooperatives and rural industries. It also promoted the implementation of the 2023 Cooperative Law. In coordination with specialized departments, it encouraged the establishment of cooperatives in eligible areas. By September 2024, the total number of cooperatives in the district reached 69, including one newly established cooperative in 2024 (Chieng Khoi Fisheries Cooperative, Na Dong village, Chieng Khoi commune).

According to Mr. Cao Xuan Dung, Head of the Agriculture and Rural Development Department of Yen Chau district, in the first months of the year, Yen Chau district surveyed and guided 4 cooperatives in preparing dossiers to receive support under Resolution No. 128 dated February 28, 2020, of the Provincial People's Council on the issuance of a resolution on policies to encourage investment in agriculture and rural areas in Son La province.

Thanks to the promotion of cooperative models, people's incomes have increased. Photo: Van Ngoc

In coordination with the Provincial Association of Rural Agriculture, we registered trainees and organized a training course on organic fruit farming techniques in Phiêng Khoài commune, with 40 participants. We advised the District People's Committee on the preparation of a report on the operational status of agricultural cooperatives in Yên Châu district during the 2020-2023 period. We updated information on cooperatives on the gsdgdcrd.vn/cms.nc software system.

According to the Head of the Agriculture and Rural Development Department of Yen Chau district, in the last months of the year, Yen Chau district will continue to promote the implementation of the 2023 Cooperative Law, coordinate with specialized departments to encourage and guide the establishment of cooperatives in eligible areas. The district will also continue to implement the support process for cooperatives according to Resolution No. 128/2020 of the Son La Provincial People's Council on the issuance of policies to encourage investment in agriculture and rural areas.

Yen Chau district is stepping up efforts to guide people in applying scientific advancements to agricultural practices. Photo: Van Ngoc

In coordination with the Son La Provincial Association of Agriculture and Rural Industries, select and prepare dossiers for awarding commendations at the Congress of Delegates of the Son La Provincial Association of Agriculture and Rural Industries, term 2024-2029, according to Plan No. 99/KH-HNN. Continue to update information on cooperatives on the software system gsdgdcrd.vn/cms.nc.

The performance of cooperatives and collective economic models in Yen Chau district over the past years has demonstrated the role of collective economic organizations and the necessity of linking production in crop cultivation, livestock farming, processing, and product consumption, opening up a new direction for restructuring the agricultural sector in a stable and sustainable manner.

Source: trangtraiviet.danviet.vn