Pioneer Agricultural Cooperative

Dak Nong currently has 311 cooperatives, of which over 260 operate in the agricultural sector. Most cooperatives operating in the agricultural sector have exploited their strengths in the production and trading of coffee, pepper, cocoa, vegetables, fruits, etc., thereby creating jobs for their members.

Many agricultural cooperatives are promoting green production. A typical example is Binh Minh Cooperative in Ea Po Commune, Cu Jut District, which has partnered with 1,000 farming households to grow 1,420 hectares of pepper according to sustainable standards.

Mr. Le Anh Son, Director of Binh Minh Cooperative, shared that over the years, the Cooperative has equipped members and farmers with knowledge about solutions for developing green agriculture and circular agriculture.

“We focus on providing technical guidance on pepper production to achieve international sustainable certifications for members and farmers. Farmers have applied solutions such as leaving grass in pepper gardens to create vegetation to protect the soil and crops. They cut the grass when it grows and absolutely do not spray herbicides. They have applied water-saving irrigation solutions…”.

In addition, Binh Minh Cooperative has found solutions to consume products for members and farmers, shared information and sales skills, etc. From there, members and farmers clearly understood the benefits and implemented them to increase the value of the products.

Thinh Phat Agricultural - Medicinal Materials - Commercial Services Cooperative, Quang Son Commune, Dak Glong District. The cooperative has 201 members and associate members producing nearly 800 hectares of coffee, pepper, medicinal materials, vegetables, tubers and fruits.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Toan, Director of Thinh Phat Cooperative shared: “Previously, farmers in the agricultural production area abused chemical pesticides and chemical fertilizers, making the land barren and the products of poor quality. We established the cooperative and found ways to help members and farmers grow VietGAP cabbage, sustainable pepper, organic coffee, etc. Up to now, members have actively applied to improve economic efficiency.”

With the solution of converting barren coffee growing areas, at risk of water shortage due to drought, the cooperative has guided people to grow VietGAP cabbage, bringing in a profit of about 200 million VND/ha/year.

Thinh Phat Cooperative cooperates with CJ Foods Vietnam Company in Long An to process cabbage and kimchi for export to Korea. The cooperative sells coffee and pepper products to members and farmers at higher prices than normal production.

Catching up with the green transition

Reality shows that wherever there is production and economic development needs, there are cooperatives. The country has over 33,500 cooperatives operating in multiple fields, especially in agriculture, accounting for over 64% of the total number of cooperatives, with over 3.8 million farmers participating.

In Dak Nong, there are 311 cooperatives with over 18,500 members and associate members who are farmers. The cooperatives also create jobs for about 10,533 workers.

Most cooperatives in Dak Nong have exploited their strengths in production and trading of coffee, pepper, cocoa, vegetables, fruits, etc., thereby creating jobs for local workers and increasing product value.

Chairman of Dak Nong Cooperative Alliance Nguyen Khai emphasized that, facing the pressure from climate change, resource depletion and green integration requirements, the transformation of cooperatives towards clean production, technology application, traceability and participation in the carbon credit market has become an inevitable requirement.

“Along with cooperatives nationwide, Dak Nong cooperatives are increasingly affirming their role in linking production, improving labor productivity and building effective value chains from green agriculture,” Mr. Khai assessed.

Dak Nong currently has 31 cooperatives with OCOP products and 34 cooperatives participating in the value chain such as: cocoa, coffee, pepper, passion fruit, durian, macadamia, clean vegetables applying high technology, fruit growing and processing, livestock and poultry farming, rice...

Dak Nong cooperatives are contributing to the development of green agriculture in the country. And when cooperatives are properly recognized and supported, Dak Nong cooperatives, together with cooperatives in Vietnam, will build a fair, prosperous, and comprehensive economy.

The Party and Government have issued key policies such as: Resolution 106/NQ-CP on the development of agricultural cooperatives, Decree 113/2024/ND-CP guiding the Law on Cooperatives and Resolution 20-NQ/TW of the Central Committee on the development of collective economy...

These policies create the legal foundation and practical support for cooperatives to develop sustainably, access capital, technology, training, domestic and international markets.

The Vietnamese Government has made strong commitments to green growth targets, especially the Net-zero target by 2050, affirming the country's pioneering role as well as effectively mobilizing international resources in the context of green transition.

For the collective economic sector, of which the core is cooperatives, this process not only contributes to improving production efficiency but also helps sustainable development, increases product value and improves the lives of members and workers.

Dak Nong cooperatives have basically completed the conversion to a new model in accordance with the law. Many cooperatives have invested in machinery, converted to clean production technology and developed environmentally friendly products, helping to protect natural resources and reduce pollution. From there, green cooperatives have gradually been formed for sustainable development.

Effectively developing cooperatives not only increase people's income but also promote GDP growth, helping Vietnam achieve its goal of sustainable GDP growth.