Success from production linkage

Members of Dong Bang Agricultural Production and Service Cooperative harvest custard apples.

Mr. Hua Quoc Cong, Director of the Cooperative, shared: Previously, people's production was mainly small-scale, without production links. With the desire to build and develop a more sustainable custard apple growing model, in June 2021, Dong Banh Agricultural Production and Service Cooperative was established. Currently, the Cooperative has 56 members, with a custard apple growing area of 34.59 hectares.

Immediately after its establishment, the Cooperative encouraged its members to focus on planting and caring for custard apples according to VietGAP standards. Accordingly, in addition to creating conditions for members to participate in training courses on planting and caring for custard apples organized by specialized agencies, the Cooperative also established a Zalo group and regularly organized direct meetings for members to exchange and share experiences in caring for and preventing pests and diseases on custard apple trees; promptly grasp difficulties and obstacles in the production process of member households and together come up with appropriate support plans... Currently, 100% of the Cooperative's custard apple growing area has been granted VietGAP certification.

Not only focusing on quality, the Cooperative also cares about building a brand for the product. Specifically, at the end of 2021, the Cooperative registered to participate in the OCOP program and proactively researched and designed logos, packaging, and labels for the product... With thorough investment, by the end of 2021, the Cooperative's custard apple products were evaluated and classified as 3-star OCOP products. By 2022, the Cooperative's custard apple products continued to be upgraded to 4-star OCOP products.

Ms. Trieu Thi Hien, a member of the cooperative, said: My family has been growing custard apples since 2021 with about 250 trees and has now increased the number to about 2,000 trees. Previously, my family's custard apple production was often small-scale and spontaneous. By 2021, when joining the cooperative and being oriented to develop in the direction of production linkage, the efficiency of my family's economic model was significantly improved. My family has participated in training courses and instructions on applying the process and techniques of custard apple care according to VietGAP standards in production to improve productivity and product quality. Currently, on average, my family harvests about 8-10 tons of custard apples each year, 15-20% higher than before. In addition, the fact that the cooperative's custard apple products are OCOP certified has created favorable conditions in the consumption process with higher selling prices and more stable output.

To promote custard apple consumption for members, the Cooperative also pays special attention to using digital platforms such as Facebook, TikTok... to promote and sell products. Mr. Hua Quoc Cong, Director of the Cooperative, added: Grasping the online shopping trend of consumers, the Cooperative has encouraged members to proactively approach and apply e-commerce channels to post introductions, livestream to sell products... Thanks to that, currently, custard apple products of the Cooperative are not only consumed in the provincial market but also expanded to other provinces and cities such as: Hanoi , Bac Ninh, Hung Yen... On average, the Cooperative harvests about 250 tons of fruit every year, with selling prices ranging from 30 to 80 thousand VND/kg, bringing in profits of over 7 billion VND (of which 20% is consumed through e-commerce), bringing stable income for Cooperative members from 80 to 300 million VND/year; creating seasonal jobs for about 40 workers, with an income of 300,000 VND/person/day. Currently entering the main custard apple harvest season, the cooperative's expected output this year is nearly 300 tons.

Mr. Vy Van Tu, Head of the Economic Department of Chi Lang Commune, said: In recent times, in addition to applying scientific and technical advances in production to improve productivity and quality of custard apples, Dong Bang Agricultural Production and Service Cooperative has also proactively researched and grasped the market to provide orientation and support members to expand product consumption channels. In the coming time, the department will continue to create conditions and support the cooperative to develop and expand the model; bring products to participate in exhibitions and promotions at programs, events, and exhibitions in and outside the province, thereby contributing to helping the cooperative expand its consumption market and bring the Chi Lang custard apple brand far and wide.

The boldness in changing the production mindset, from small-scale to concentrated and focusing on applying science and technology has helped Dong Banh Agricultural Production and Service Cooperative successfully build an economic model, create its own brand and reputation with customers, thereby becoming a typical cooperative in the province in producing, consuming and developing the Chi Lang custard apple brand.

Source: https://baolangson.vn/chung-suc-san-xuat-vung-buoc-phat-trien-5056995.html