In October 2024, the Viet Nam Farmers' Union honoured 63 "Outstanding Cooperatives" nationwide in 2024, with the Tuy Loan Safe Vegetable Production and Consumption Cooperative located in Hoa Phong Commune, Hoa Vang District being the only representative from Da Nang to receive this title.

The Tuy Loan hydroponic vegetable garden is a model attracting students, tourists, and visitors for learning and hands-on experiences. Photo: N.Q

This recognition is both an honour and a motivation for the cooperative members to strengthen production links, improve product quality, and contribute to agricultural development and rural modernization in the region.

The Tuy Loan Safe Vegetable Production and Consumption Cooperative, originated from the Tuy Loan Vegetable Club, was established in 2002 by the Hoa Phong Commune Farmers' Union, starting with 14 households on an area of about 1 hectare.

In 2011, the Farmers' Union, in coordination with the commune-based People's Committee and the Da Nang’s Cooperative Alliance, established the Tuy Loan Safe Vegetable Production and Consumption Cooperative, focusing on safe vegetable production, consumption, and agricultural tourism services. After 13 years, the cooperative now has 40 members working on an 8-hectare area.

Thanks to hard work, many farmers have overcome poverty with stable incomes, such as Mrs Tran Thi Anh, residing in Hoa Phong Commune. Previously, her family struggled due to financial difficulties, and her husband had an unstable income as a mason. In 2011, she joined the cooperative, growing vegetables such as spinach, gourd, and pennywort on Tuy Loan's fields. She sells her produce to the cooperative, earning VND 5-7 million per month, which helped her family escape poverty and support her four children through university.

Mr. Nguyen Van Tan, Director of the Tuy Loan Safe Vegetable Production and Consumption Cooperative, said the cooperative has helped farmers secure markets for their produce, promoting production and providing regular jobs for 60 local workers.

Each year, the cooperative supplies more than 500 tonnes of vegetables to supermarkets, convenience stores, and schools, generating an annual income of VND 65-75 million per member. This success has lifted nine members out of poverty and helped 15 other households achieve stable incomes.

According to Mr. Tan, the cooperative regularly collaborates with experts to train its members in producing safe, organic agricultural products that meet VietGAP standards.

Currently, the cooperative's produce is certified as OCOP products. Additionally, the cooperative has invested in a high-tech hydroponic vegetable system covering 1,000 square meters, along with fruit trees, shade plants, and guest reception facilities to offer agricultural tourism services.

A cooperative member harvests products at the Tuy Loan Safe Vegetable field. Photo: N.Q

Each year, the Tuy Loan Safe Vegetable region attracts more than 8,000 students and tourists from both domestic and international tours, enhancing the brand's visibility and creating jobs while increasing incomes for local workers.

The cooperative continues to expand its high-tech hydroponic vegetable farming and develop traditional craft village experiences, aiming to double the number of visitors in the coming years. With outstanding achievements in production and business activities, the Tuy Loan Safe Vegetable Cooperative has received numerous awards from both central and local authorities, including a certificate of merit from the Da Nang People's Committee in 2022 and an excellent emulation flag from the Viet Nam Cooperative Alliance in 2023.

"We are proud to receive the 'National Model Cooperative' title for the first time, awarded by the Viet Nam Farmers' Union. This is both an honour and a well-deserved result for all cooperative members who have worked hard in production and business," said Mr Tan.

Da Nang Farmers' Union President Nguyen Huu Thiet stated that the Tuy Loan Safe Vegetable Production and Consumption Cooperative is one of the city's outstanding cooperatives established through the efforts of the Farmers' Union.

After 13 years of operation, the cooperative has promoted agricultural production, enhancing the quality of agricultural products supplied to the city market. Notably, the agricultural tourism experience model is attracting a large number of students and tourists, contributing to improving local incomes and actively participating in the new rural development process.

Reporting by NGOC QUOC - Translating by TRUC VY