Hanoi leaders visit Thuy Huong cooperative (cpv.org.vn)

The new rural development program has 19 criteria including establishing and effectively operating cooperatives. Thuy Huong commune is one of the 11 pilot models nationwide selected by the Central Steering Committee on building new rural areas. After 3 years, the commune achieved all 19 new rural criteria including the difficult tasks of master planning and rezoning farm land to apply automation. Established in 2010, the Thuy Huong flower and bonsai tree cooperative has been successful in restructuring agricultural cooperatives. It’s a cooperative model of the State, scientists, enterprises, and farmers. The cooperative has invested in building high-yield flower gardens, greenhouses, irrigation systems, and flower varieties. Last year, it supplied tens of thousands of flower and bonsai trees to the market, earning 150,000 USD. Nguyen Huu Thang, Head of the cooperative, said: “The farmers have contributed capital to the cooperative. We have to strive to make profits to ensure people’s lives.”

Members of the Thuy Huong cooperative have voluntarily contributed capital, rezoned their farms, and received 40% of the profits, motivating for the farmers to work harder, learn new production techniques, and study market demand. Nguyen Duy Nhat, a member of the cooperative, said: “I’ve learned new scientific techniques to stabilize production. We have increased our sense of responsibility for production because we work to benefit ourselves. The cooperative management board and members have established a good relationship.”

Thuy Huong cooperative employed 3 agricultural engineers to teach farmers how to grow different types of flowers and conduct intensive farming. The cooperative now grows millions of flower and bonsai trees. The cooperative’s operation has contributed positively to agricultural restructuring in new rural development in Thuy Phuong commune, Chuong My district. Nguyen Van Doanh, Vice Chairman of the Chuong My district People’s Committee, said: “After piloting the model in Thuy Huong, we’ll replicate it in other places in the district. Chuong My has 30 communes and 2 townships. From 2010 to 2015, we’ll implement the new rural development program in 12 communes, and all communes will complete the program by 2020.”

The new rural development program in Thuy Huong shows that the new cooperative is an effective way to sustainably improve the countryside.