Lam Cau Agricultural Cooperative - a 'midwife' for farmers

(Baonghean) - As the first unit in Quynh Luu district to complete land conversion and build large-scale model fields, creating conditions for introducing mechanization into agricultural production, Lam Cau Agricultural Cooperative in Quynh Thach commune, Quynh Luu district, also organizes linkages and connects value chains to guarantee the purchase of products from farmers.

The Lam Cau Agricultural Cooperative in Quynh Thach commune has a total annual agricultural production area of ​​290 hectares, with 300 member households. Before the cooperative's transformation under the 2012 Cooperative Law, the Lam Cau Agricultural Cooperative was the first unit in the district to complete land conversion, build bridges and culverts, and introduce mechanization into production. The funding for land conversion, totaling over 1.3 billion VND, was mobilized from contributions by cooperative members and a portion of the cooperative's own capital.

The VAC model generates high income for the family of Mr. Ho Van Nam, Hamlet 10, Quynh Thach Commune (Quynh Luu District).

Right from the spring crop season of 2013, the large-scale model rice field was established. New technical applications, such as tillage machines, seedling trays, harvesting machines, and rice transplanters, appeared for the first time in many of the cooperative's fields, significantly reducing labor and production costs for farmers. The first spring rice crop after land conversion achieved a yield of 7 tons/ha, the highest ever in this region. Mr. Dang Ngoc Nhac – Director of Lam Cau Agricultural Cooperative shared: “After land conversion, cooperative members have achieved efficient rice production with high yields and output. Building on this initial success, the cooperative continues to restructure crop production, build large-scale model rice fields, and expand linkages with the production value chain and product distribution to bring benefits to cooperative members.”

To effectively fulfill its role as a "facilitator" for farmers, the Lam Cau Agricultural Cooperative has implemented many highly effective operational methods. In particular, after transforming the cooperative according to the 2012 Cooperative Law, the Lam Cau Agricultural Cooperative continues to inherit its previous operating methods while also focusing on agricultural services such as irrigation, field protection, and the supply of seeds, materials, and fertilizers. At the beginning of the production season, the cooperative invests in providing farmers with 60-70% of the necessary fertilizers; promptly supplies pesticides; proactively manages water resources for production; and develops plans to combat drought and mitigate natural disasters, ensuring timely planting. Alongside this, the cooperative has implemented crop restructuring and developed semi-farm models that yield high economic returns.

Currently, the cooperative has over 20 farm models such as livestock and poultry farming, fruit tree cultivation, and aquaculture. Many households earn between 100 and 200 million VND per year. For example, the family of Mr. Ho Van Nam, from Hamlet 10, Quynh Thach Commune, is a well-off household thanks to the integrated VAC (Garden-Pond-Livestock) model. Previously, in the low-lying, waterlogged area, rice cultivation was inefficient. He converted more than 1 hectare to develop an integrated VAC model, which has helped his family earn over 150 million VND per year. “Initially, when I leased 1 hectare of land in this low-lying area, I really didn't know what to do to make it effective. During that time, cooperative officials came to survey the land and encouraged my family to change the crop structure, from rice cultivation to developing the VAC model. After one year of conversion, my family started to make a profit, and our living standards improved,” Mr. Nam shared.

Introducing combine harvesters into production on the large-scale model fields of Lam Cau Cooperative, Quynh Thach (Quynh Luu).

The innovations at Lam Cau Agricultural Cooperative after its transformation include not only achieving the set targets in the three service areas: plant protection - science and technology, irrigation, and veterinary medicine, but also high efficiency in negotiated business services such as: production of plant seeds, agricultural supplies, and product consumption... making a significant contribution to creating a breakthrough in the socio-economic development of the locality. In addition, the cooperative mobilizes idle capital from its members and its own capital to provide loans to poor households for production development; and simultaneously creates many new jobs for members and workers through the implementation of services that support daily life and develop industries.

Mr. Nguyen Van Hung, a member of the Lam Cau Agricultural Cooperative, said that after the transformation, the cooperative has made many innovations and operates effectively, especially in linking and joint ventures to guarantee the purchase of agricultural products for farmers. Before the transformation, farmers had to "fend for themselves" in the market for their agricultural products. Now, from supplying seeds to guaranteeing product purchase, the cooperative links with companies that guarantee the purchase of products at high prices, bringing benefits to the farmers.

The rice seed production field of Lam Cau Cooperative, Quynh Thach commune (Quynh Luu district).

Regarding Quynh Thach today, the rural landscape has undergone many changes. The vast rice-growing areas have been planned into zones, with annual rice yields reaching 11.5 - 12 tons/hectare/year; internal field transportation infrastructure is gradually being strengthened to facilitate easy travel for farmers. Large-scale farm models have been invested in, generating high incomes. This success is due to the Lam Cau Agricultural Cooperative's proper implementation of procedures and its active participation in encouraging farmers to join voluntarily. The cooperative's goal is to build a collective economy, achieve sustainable development, and create conditions for the economic development of its members.

Thanks to good management of all stages, effective production direction, and adherence to proper revenue and expenditure principles, the Lam Cau Agricultural Cooperative earns a profit of 600-700 million VND annually; it is the leading unit in the entire district in terms of operational efficiency and annual economic revenue.

Based on the above results, Lam Cau Agricultural Cooperative has been a model unit for many consecutive years, participating in the 5th Congress of the Vietnam Cooperative Union. From 2011 to 2016, the Cooperative received a commendation from the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee. After the Cooperative transformed according to the 2012 Cooperative Law, many localities inside and outside the province visited to observe and learn from its experience. It can be said that Lam Cau Agricultural and Service Cooperative is a "support system" for farmers in developing the collective economy and improving the quality of life for its members.

Viet Hung