Breakthroughs in cooperative economics and green rural development in the new era

As the country enters a new phase of development, the Cooperative Economics and Rural Development sector is facing an urgent need for transformation to become a key pillar driving green agriculture, modern rural areas, and a progressive farming community.

Under the leadership of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the Department of Cooperatives and Rural Development (DRCD) has demonstrated a pioneering and innovative spirit, successfully fulfilling its political mandates and making important contributions to the comprehensive development of the “three rural” areas - agriculture, farmers, and rural communities.

Institutional development and a new mindset for growth

With its mandate to advise on state management across nine key areas, the DCRD has consistently identified its core mission as shaping sustainable development models, fostering innovation in management thinking, and restructuring agricultural production toward modernization and integration.

During the 2020 - 2025 term, the Department has focused on improving institutions and policies, developing a system of legal documents, and implementing major programs and projects related to the collective economy, cooperatives, agricultural mechanization, population resettlement, vocational training, and rural industry development.

These efforts have helped lay a solid foundation for restructuring production, promoting comprehensive rural economic development, ensuring livelihoods for local communities, and driving green transition and emission reduction in agriculture.

However, practical development has shown that the cooperative economy sector still faces three major bottlenecks. First, institutional frameworks and policies remain overlapping and lack intersectoral integration. Policies on cooperatives, rural industries, mechanization, population resettlement, and salt production are not yet interconnected, resulting in limited implementation effectiveness. Second, digital infrastructure and sectoral data systems remain fragmented. Most management areas still lack integrated digital databases and connection platforms, leading to manual supervision, administration, and policy evaluation.

There is a lack of regional linkage models and value chains with broad spillover effects. Most cooperatives and collaborative groups remain small in scale and have yet to form industry clusters or integrated multi-value models that connect production, processing, distribution, services, and environmental sustainability.

Toward green agriculture and modern rural development

Entering the new term, DCRD has set a strategic goal of achieving comprehensive breakthroughs, inclusive growth, and adaptability in the digital era, aiming for a cooperative economy that is green, modern, and sustainable.

First and foremost, the Department will continue to improve institutional and policy frameworks with cross-sectoral and interregional integration, creating a consistent legal foundation for the development of the cooperative economy. At the same time, it will establish a comprehensive database for the cooperatives and rural development sector, integrating indicators on cooperatives, livelihoods, population, digital transformation, and the environment.

At the same time, a breakthrough in digital transformation will be pursued. The Department will build a digital data ecosystem, applying technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), Big Data, and blockchain for management, traceability, e-commerce connectivity, and digital mapping of raw material zones and craft villages, contributing to improved management efficiency and the competitiveness of the cooperative economy.

Simultaneously, practical models linking policy to action will be developed, focusing on establishing green cooperatives, circular agriculture, smart craft village communities, resettlement areas that integrate livelihoods with climate adaptation, and regional centers for agricultural mechanization and logistics services.

In addition, emphasis will be placed on human resource development, with the Department’s leadership focusing on building a team of officials who possess institutional thinking, digital skills, and strong political integrity, combined with practical training to enhance their capacity for advising, managing, and implementing tasks.

Finally, coordination mechanisms across levels and sectors will be strengthened. The Department will promote data connectivity and management between central and local authorities, as well as between government agencies, enterprises, and cooperatives, ensuring consistency and unity in directing and implementing sustainable rural development policies.

Building on its achievements, DCRD will continue to maintain its role as a political core, innovate leadership thinking, foster unity, and promote the pioneering and exemplary spirit of each official and public servant.

The upcoming term is recognized as a pivotal period. The Department will transform major policies and directives from the Party and State into concrete actions, driving breakthroughs in production restructuring, ecological agriculture, and modern rural development, aiming toward a green, inclusive, and sustainable cooperative economy.

On the occasion of the 80th Anniversary of Agriculture and Environment Day and the 1st National Patriotic Emulation Congress, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is organizing a series of events from July to December 2025. The highlight is the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the Agriculture and Environment sector and the 1st National Patriotic Emulation Congress, taking place on the morning of November 12, 2025, at the National Convention Center in Hanoi, with over 1,200 delegates in attendance. VAN News will broadcast the event live.