Agricultural cooperatives strengthen production linkages

As agriculture moves toward a more modern and sustainable model, many cooperatives across Dong Nai City have actively built integrated value chains that cover production, processing, distribution, and trade promotion.

Melons grown in greenhouses at Nha Bich Agricultural Cooperative in Nha Bich commune are nearing harvest.

These linkage models have not only raised the value of agricultural products but also encouraged farmers to gradually shift their production mindset, thereby forming a connected collective economic ecosystem in which members support one another for mutual development.

Strengthening cooperative linkages

In recent years, many cooperatives across Dong Nai City have paid greater attention to building linkage chains in agricultural production. From connecting raw material areas and supporting production inputs to deep processing and trade promotion, cooperatives have gradually established a more sustainable development path, contributing to enhancing the value of local farm produce.

Nguyen Viet Vi, Director of Phuoc Thien Trade and Service Cooperative (Phuoc Thien Cooperative) in Hung Phuoc commune, said the cooperative is developing linked cultivation areas for jackfruit, guava, and various other crops covering more than 1,000 hectares. Around 20 members are currently participating in the production linkage model.

According to Vi, to build a sustainable linked value chain, the cooperative has not stopped at producing fresh agricultural products but has also focused on investing in deep processing to increase product value. From jackfruit, the cooperative has developed various product lines, including ripe jackfruit, mature jackfruit, and young jackfruit for processing into products such as vegetarian patties, snacks, and dried jackfruit. To date, Phuoc Thien Cooperative has developed 12 deep-processed products from linked raw material sources within the cooperative.

In addition to production activities, the cooperative has prioritized cross-consumption among members and shared input services to help reduce production costs. For product distribution, the cooperative signs contracts with businesses on behalf of its members and develops an internal business network to support agricultural products.

“Cooperatives today no longer operate independently. Instead, they are increasingly supporting one another through product introductions, consumption linkages, and trade promotion activities,” Vi said.

Likewise, Nha Bich Agricultural Cooperative in Nha Bich commune has also focused on developing clean agriculture through linkage-based production. The cooperative is now entering the melon harvest season, with evenly ripened and visually appealing fruits.

After harvest, the melons are mainly supplied to traders for market distribution at prices ranging from VND17,000 to VND18,000 per kilogram. Although prices remain lower than during the main crop season, they still provide farmers with a stable source of income.

Nguyen Van Dong, Deputy Director of Nha Bich Agricultural Cooperative, said the cooperative currently operates five greenhouse facilities. Its production process is registered under VietGAP standards, and biological products are used for pest prevention, aiming to support sustainable, clean agricultural development. In recent years, the cooperative has received considerable support from relevant agencies, including the Dong Nai City Cooperative Alliance (DNCA), through trade promotion programs, technical training, and market connectivity initiatives.

Through exchange programs and study tours, many cooperatives have had opportunities to share market information, discuss prices, and coordinate product output linkages for mutual development.

In the near future, the cooperative hopes to continue receiving financial support to expand and upgrade its greenhouse system while investing in high-quality fertilizers and biological products to further promote sustainable, clean agriculture.

Supporting farmers

Alongside the overall development of Dong Nai City, the collective economic sector and cooperatives in the locality have also witnessed positive changes. Not only has the number of cooperatives increased, but many have also gradually renewed their operational methods, expanded production linkages, and improved business efficiency.

Nguyen Thanh Hien, Acting Vice Chairwoman of the DNCA, said that despite recent economic difficulties affecting cooperative production activities, many units have made significant efforts to overcome challenges and have gradually stabilized and expanded operations. As a result, both revenue and membership numbers have increased compared to previous years. Several underperforming cooperatives have also undergone restructuring to improve operational quality and avoid ineffective organizational models.

To date, Dong Nai has more than 660 active cooperatives, including nearly 400 agricultural cooperatives with close to 57,000 members, as well as one agricultural cooperative alliance comprising 10 cooperatives and nearly 200 members.

As an organization representing and supporting cooperatives, the DNCA has implemented numerous solutions to accompany local people and cooperatives over recent years. Among them, the Cooperative Development Support Fund has been regarded as one of the key solutions helping cooperatives secure additional resources to expand production, invest in infrastructure, and develop raw material areas.

At the same time, the alliance has regularly organized trade promotion and business networking programs, creating favorable conditions for cooperatives to market their products and find stable markets. Through study tours and experience-sharing trips across various provinces and cities, cooperatives have also gained opportunities to access effective production models, expand linkages, and exchange goods.

“Many cooperatives have now proactively exchanged information and supported one another in agricultural product consumption. Emulation clusters by sector also maintain regular online exchanges to provide timely assistance whenever needed. In addition, the DNCA frequently works with foreign experts to support farmers,” Hien said.

To further improve linkage efficiency in the coming period, the DNCA plans to continue promoting trade connection conferences and expand linkages not only among cooperatives but also with enterprises, distribution systems, and various consumption channels. In parallel with these efforts, the alliance will strengthen support for digital transformation, brand building, the development of One Commune, One Product (OCOP) products, deep processing expansion, and improvements in cooperatives' management capacity.

The initiatives are expected to strengthen cooperative development, improve farmers’ incomes, and contribute to a more modern and sustainable agricultural sector.

By To Tam – Translated by M.Nguyet, Minho