is an agricultural production system based on ecological balance, using natural measures to maintain and improve soil fertility and the health of crops, livestock and people. It has many environmental, human health and economic benefits. To develop organic agriculture in Vietnam, the organic agriculture cooperative model has been applied with positive results. In this article, join Ha Long Xanh to learn about organic agriculture cooperative models and valuable experience from applying them.
Organic agriculture
Before exploring organic agriculture cooperative models in detail, we need to understand what organic agriculture is and why it is considered a sustainable production system.
Organic agriculture is a production method that does not use chemical fertilizers or insecticides. Instead, it uses natural measures such as organic fertilizers, vermicompost, beneficial microorganisms and smart cultivation techniques to maintain and improve soil fertility. It also focuses on environmental protection, pollution reduction and improved human health.
One important factor in organic agriculture is using organic fertilizer and vermicompost instead of chemical fertilizers. Organic fertilizer is produced from organic materials such as cow, pig and livestock manure, and rice straw and stubble. Vermicompost, meanwhile, is produced by composting worms and contains many nutrients essential for crops.
Organic farmers also use smart cultivation techniques such as crop rotation, mixed cropping and pest control with natural herbs. All these maintain soil fertility, prevent pest and disease spread and enhance plant health.
Organic agriculture not only benefits the environment and human health but also positively affects the economy. According to a United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) study, organic agriculture can increase crop yields by up to 80% compared with chemical fertilizer use. This also means higher farmer incomes and improved living conditions.
Organic Agriculture Cooperative Models
An organic agriculture cooperative is a collective economic organization established by individuals, households or organizations sharing the objective of organic agricultural production. Cooperatives play an important role in developing organic agriculture in Vietnam.
The organic agriculture cooperative model provides many benefits for households and farmers. Instead of producing individually, they can cooperate to share experience, resources and work. This increases productivity and reduces production costs. Cooperatives can also provide support services such as technical advice, input supplies and product sales.
Many organic agriculture cooperative models have been applied in Vietnam with positive results. Below are three common models.
Cooperatives specializing in organic agricultural production
This model focuses on producing organic agricultural products such as vegetables, fruit, fruit tree crops, meat, fish, milk and other products. Cooperative households or individuals share work and resources to produce and sell products. This increases productivity and reduces production costs.
A typical example is Binh Thuan Organic Agriculture Cooperative. Established in 2010, it has grown into one of Binh Thuan's largest organic production units. It currently produces and sells hundreds of tonnes of organic vegetables and fruit each year and has more than 200 participating households.
Table 1: Production statistics for Binh Thuan Organic Agriculture Cooperative from 2010 to 2020
Year |
Output (tonnes) |
|---|---|
2010 |
50 |
2011 |
60 |
2012 |
70 |
2013 |
80 |
2014 |
90 |
2015 |
100 |
2016 |
110 |
2017 |
120 |
2018 |
130 |
2019 |
140 |
2020 |
150 |
Organic agricultural service cooperatives
This model provides support services for households producing organically, such as technical advice, input supplies and product sales. Cooperative households benefit from these services to increase productivity and product quality.
A typical example is Dong Thap Organic Agricultural Services Cooperative. Established in 2015, it has provided support services to more than 500 organic farming households in Dong Thap. Services include technical advice, organic fertilizer and vermicompost supplies, crop varieties and product sales.
Table 2: Number of households supported by Dong Thap Organic Agricultural Services Cooperative from 2015 to 2020
Year |
Number of households |
|---|---|
2015 |
100 |
2016 |
150 |
2017 |
200 |
2018 |
250 |
2019 |
300 |
2020 |
350 |
Cooperatives linking organic production and sales
This model connects cooperatives and organic farming households for product production and sales. It strengthens small cooperatives and improves their effectiveness, creating a sustainable organic agricultural supply chain.
A typical example is Lam Dong Cooperative for Linked Organic Agricultural Production and Sales. Established in 2018, it has linked with other small cooperatives to produce and sell organic agricultural products. It currently has more than 10 member cooperatives and produces and sells tens of tonnes of organic vegetables and fruit annually.
Table 3: Production statistics for Lam Dong Cooperative for Linked Organic Agricultural Production and Sales from 2018 to 2020
Year |
Output (tonnes) |
|---|---|
2018 |
20 |
2019 |
30 |
2020 |
40 |
Conclusion
Organic agriculture cooperatives are therefore an important model for developing organic agriculture in Vietnam. Specialized production, service, and linked production and sales cooperatives all provide positive results for households and farmers. Cooperation and sharing increase productivity and reduce production costs, while support services improve product quality. Applying these models has helped organic agriculture develop strongly and sustainably in Vietnam.
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- Organic agriculture in Quang Ninh
- Cost effectiveness of organic and chemical fertilizers
- Vermicompost for urban balcony farming