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Thanh Xuan Organic Vegetable Cooperative is a farmers' cooperative in Vietnam that provides services on organic techniques and market access for organic vegetables. They offer training, linking farmers with buyers, and support in developing farmers' groups into cooperatives.
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THANH XUAN ORGANIC VEGETABLE COOPERATIVE Vietnam Farmers’ Union - VNFU
Brief Informationof the organization • Organization: Vietnam Farmers’ Union- Centre for Supporting Farmers and Rural Development • Address: Ton That Thuyet Str., My Dinh 2, Nam Tu Liem, Hanoi, Vietnam. • Model on providing service on techniques and market access for organic vegetables through Thanh Xuan organic vegetable cooperative
Brief Informationof the Cooperative - Established in 2008 (farmers’ group) with support of the project funded by ADDA- Denmark and VNFU. - In 2008, 1 farmers’ group on organic vegetable planting with area of 7,700 square meter, 11 members. - In 2009, 2 farmers’ groups established, 20,500 square meter, 19 members; 01 inter-group established
Thanh Xuan organic vegetable coop • In 2010, 01 more farmers’ group established, the area up to 29.000m2. • In 2011, 03 groups more established, the area up to 80,240m2. • In 2012, 03 groups more established, the area up to 92.000m2
Thanh Xuan organic vegetable coop • In 2012, 01 cooperative established at village scale with 8 members and 03 groups. • In 2013 , the planting area of 15.5ha • In Dec 2013, 01 cooperative established at commune scale with 19 members and 9 groups.
Thanh Xuan organic vegetable coop • The cooperative started from small groups (head of group-board leader, Vice head, accountant, cashier, controlling staff) to inter-group, then develop to be cooperative. • Controlling staff team: Monitoring on quality, testing, inspecting the process - is one of the most effective factors for ensure the sustainability of the cooperative.
Thanh Xuan organic vegetable coop • In 2014, selling 242 tons among 440 tons in the commune. • Not enough organic vegetable for the market demand.
Programs and enterprise/business related services to Members • Type of services or programs support to members’ enterprises: supporting farmers on organic techniques and access to market for organic vegetables through cooperation groups and cooperatives: • Training on techniques • Training on market access • Linking farmers’ group with buyers including organic company, supermarket...
Programs and enterprise/business related services to Members • How the services are extended to members? - Field staff at the famers areas. - Good external experts on organic/marketing. - Communication strategies for raising awareness for consumers/farmers/public on organic vegetables/ productss. - Establishement of farmers’ groups to develop to be cooperative.
Challenges and issue • Knowledge and capacity of cooperative staff/leaders limited. • Lack of experiences: Very few effective cooperative in selling products. • Lack of skills of financial management. • Lack of loan for investing in production infrastructure. • Brand name for organic products. • Lack of storage and experiences/techniques on preserving the organic products, especially organic vegetables.
Factors for success • Leaders of cooperative and FU are heart felted and experienced on farmers’ issues. • Developing the farmers’ groups to be a cooperative, convenient in managing. • The model generates income and bring the practical interest for farmers with sustainable income. • Close monitor and guidance from VNFU • Close cooperation from various partners. • Some customers know and prefer to using organic products. • Government encourages to develop the clean/green, safe and sustainable agriculture.
Recommendations • Trainings on financial management for leaders of farmers’ groups and cooperatives. • Facilitating giving loan with lower interest for small cooperatives on short day agro - products such as vegetables… ) • Supporting models on cooperatives on value chain development, particularly the special products in each locality with strong points. • Supporting models on producing organic fertilizers. • Linkage between farmers and customer (marketing). • Building the brand name for organic products. • Supporting to build the storage. • Training the technique on preserving organic products, especially organic vegetables.