Green Agriculture – Moc Chau Cooperative: Determined to shift to organic production in the future
The group of CCS officials and experts met Mr. Luu Tung Dinh – a lovely son of Nghe An who loves clean agricultural products on the land of Moc Chau, Son La province during a field visit for the project “Promotion of supply and demand of Eco-Fair Agri-food processing products in Vietnam” (Eco-Fair) on the first days of 2021. Currently, Mr. Dinh is the director of Green Agriculture cooperative – Tien Tien sub-area, Nong Truong town, Moc Chau district, Son La province.
A special chance brought Mr. Dinh to Moc Chau, he met his wife and then they decided to settle down there. The love for clean agricultural products and the concern about the consumption of clean agricultural products for local farmers began like that.
Photo: Mr. Dinh and his son are happy to harvest agricultural products (photo provided by Mr.Dinh)
Moc Chau is a land favored a lot from nature, the climate here is very suitable for growing vegetables and fruit trees. Besides, the province and local authorities also have many policies to support the development of this strength of the region. However, a few years ago, the vegetable production of farmers faced some difficulties. The biggest is the market problem. Aside from a few large cooperatives with long-standing production traditions, most agricultural products from small production households depend heavily on traders. The failure to keep the credibility of some traders when the market prices fluctuated up and down caused local people to suffer many times.
Mr. Dinh himself initially worked in a company selling agricultural seeds, had a number of relationships and introduced clients to help local people sell their products. However, he admits that his support has not been enough for all people, when in addition to the output problem, the problems related to the production of safe vegetables with quality assurance, to branding to be able to stabilize prices, as well as the distribution of crops for appropriate vegetable varieties are major problems that vegetable growers here are facing. It was this that prompted him to collaborate with other people in other areas to establish Green Agriculture Cooperative to improve production techniques as well as vegetable output in the region.
In 2020, the Green Agriculture Cooperative has collaborated with households in the area and consumed more than 500 tons of vegetables produced according to safe vegetable standards.
Photo: fruit and vegetable products are produced according to the safety standards of the green farm cooperative
With the same thoughts and urges about creating delicious, clean and safe vegetables and fruits, Mr. Dinh has found common ground with the project goals. He shared with us his ideas and wishes to change the current unsustainable inorganic farming methods, the use of inorganic fertilizers and pesticides not only affects consumers but also firstly affects the producer. From finding a common voice, then through discussions, sharing, and consulting with a group of agricultural experts of the project, Mr. Dinh was determined to set aside a land area of 3000m2 to work with the project to produce completely organic vegetables.
Photo: the 3000m2 of land that Mr. Dinh spent to work with CCS to pilot the model according to the method of growing sustainable organic vegetables without waste
He said he wanted to make a successful pilot model, proving to people the effectiveness of organic farming, and then expanding it to all local people. It is the thoughts and actions of green and clean agriculture lovers like him that will contribute to building clean and sustainable agriculture, as well as enhancing the value of the region’s products, increasing incomes and ensuring health for the people.
From now, one day not far away, on his land, bundles of clean, delicious, safe and quality vegetables will reach consumers across the country.
Writing: Duong Toan (CCS)
Editing and photos: Hoa Nguyen (CCS)
