Collective economy: Cooperation for development

In recent time, Khanh Hoa Province Cooperative Union has effectively promoted the development of the collective economy, helping members gradually transform their thinking and working methods, fostering a spirit of cooperation and solidarity for mutual development.

Marks of cooperative economy

Taking us to visit the HDPE aquaculture cages in Van Phong Bay, Nguyen Xuan Hoa - Director of the Van Ninh High-Tech Marine Aquaculture Cooperative - shared: “When we first started, the farmers were worried because they had invested billions of dong, and they didn't know if they could protect their assets in case of storms. But after being introduced to the high-tech marine aquaculture model; and thanks to the investment and support policies of the State, the fishermen have established cooperatives and switched from traditional wooden cages to HDPE cages, cooperating to expand the scale and reach out to offshore aquaculture.”

Provincial leaders visit a production workshop at the Vinh Phuoc Export Handicraft Cooperative (Ninh Hoa ward).

In the middle of the harvest season, Le Van Hung - Director of the Dien Loc Agricultural Cooperative (Suoi Hiep commune) is busy operating combine harvesters to transport rice to the shore. Hung said: "Previously, farmers worked independently, often facing the situation of 'good harvest, low prices; high prices, poor harvest'. Now, thanks to production linkages with businesses, the agricultural production situation of the people is very stable, especially without having to worry about product output. Rice is purchased right in the field."

Meanwhile, in mountainous communes such as Khanh Vinh, Khanh Son, Bac Ai, Lam Son, Ninh Son..., farmers have linked up to form cooperatives and production groups to produce and trade agricultural products such as pomelo, durian, grapes, apples, asparagus...; actively applying science, technology, and clean production processes. This enhances the productivity, quality, and value of agricultural products.

Not only in the agricultural sector, but also in craft villages, collective economic models are highly developed. For example, in the Bau Truc pottery village (Ninh Phuoc commune), households engaged in the craft have collaborated, actively improving designs, diversifying, and enhancing product quality; while simultaneously organizing tourism services and welcoming visitors for sightseeing and experiences. This both increases economic value and contributes to preserving and promoting the unique culture of the Cham people.

The mentioned production linkage models are pieces of the vibrant collective economic landscape of the province. It is noteworthy that many cooperatives and cooperative groups have innovated their thinking, shifting from traditional production to green and circular economic models, recycling by-products, organic production, and integrating farming with ecotourism, creating a suitable direction to meet the requirements and trends of integration. Products manufactured by cooperatives and cooperative groups achieve high quality and economic value.

Replicating effective models

Nguyen Trung Dung - Chairman of the Provincial Cooperative Union said: "The provincial Cooperative Union currently has 1,420 members, including 371 cooperatives, 7 People's credit funds, 30 enterprises and 1,012 cooperative groups, with a total charter capital of 1,667 billion VND and more than 58,610 participating households, operating in the fields of: crop cultivation; livestock farming; aquaculture; industry - handicraft; forestry - salt production; trade and tourism services; construction; transportation; credit"...

In fulfilling the task of providing comprehensive support to member units, in recent times, the provincial Cooperative Union has promoted propaganda, organized many training courses on the application of science and technology; supported the implementation of many effective cooperative economic models; partially supporting members with funding for machinery and product upgrades; especially coordinating and supporting members' participation in trade promotion conferences and business networking within the collective economic sector... Through this, cooperatives and cooperative groups have gradually changed their mindset and methods, improving operational efficiency.

In the period 2021-2025, the collective economic sector has directly contributed approximately 4.8-5% of the province's GDP to economic growth and indirectly contributed through its impact on member households (accounting for about 30% of GDP). To date, 20 production and consumption chains for agricultural products have been established in the province.

According to Nguyen Trung Dung, in the coming time, the provincial Cooperative Union will implement comprehensive solutions to support the development of the collective economy. This includes focusing on promoting training, skill development, and professional development, as well as providing legal advice and assistance; replicating effective models; strengthening organizations and developing membership. In addition, providing support in terms of loans, breeding stock, livestock, building value chains, enhancing production, processing, and preservation of agricultural products according to VietGAP, OCOP, HCCP, GlobalGAP standards...; strengthening support for cooperatives in promoting and marketing trade.

According to statistics, the province currently has 600 OCOP 3-star products, 180 of which are from the collective economic sector. Furthermore, 35 products from cooperatives and cooperative groups have been recognized as typical rural industrial products at the provincial level, and 14 products have been recognized as typical rural industrial products in the Central and Central Highlands regions.

HONG DANG

Translated by T.T