Science-tech transforms An Giang cooperatives

Across the rice fields of An Giang and the fruit-growing areas of Dong Thap, cooperatives are undergoing a clear transformation by linking production with science, technology, and value chains.

In Oc Eo Commune (An Giang), Son Hoa Agricultural Cooperative has grown from its early days of limited capital and low confidence to now having 361 members, organizing production on about 1,800 hectares of rice annually. The cooperative not only maintains strong linkages with enterprises but also actively applies technical advances and new technologies in cultivation.

According to Mr. Phan Thanh Bac, Director of the cooperative, the synchronized application of solutions such as the “1 Must, 5 Reductions” model, alternate wetting and drying (AWD) irrigation, and the use of drones for spraying and fertilizing has helped cut production costs by 10-15%, while effectively controlling emissions in rice farming.

As a cooperative member, Mr. Phan Van Ut Chot, who cultivates 6 hectares of rice, said that thanks to standardized technical processes and guaranteed market outlets through enterprise linkages, production has become more stable. His family now focuses mainly on field operations, while the cooperative provides support in both technical guidance and product marketing.

Beyond An Giang, in Dong Thap, Binh Thanh Agricultural Service Cooperative is operating increasingly like a digital agribusiness. It offers 13 services, from input supplies to product distribution, generating annual revenues of over VND 20 billion.

Cooperatives are also shifting toward data-driven management, gradually digitizing production processes to meet traceability requirements and export standards.

In the fruit sector, the adoption of technology is becoming even more evident. In Cao Lanh and My Tho communes (Dong Thap), many mango cooperatives have implemented the “My Mango Tree” model, allowing consumers to track the growth of trees via QR codes and digital platforms.

According to Mr. Doan Thanh Hien, Head of the Mango Care Science and Technology Club in My Tho Commune, transparent production information helps build market trust while creating a competitive advantage for exported mangoes.

In addition, mango export enterprises in the area have adopted post-harvest technologies such as cold storage and freeze-drying, extending shelf life and increasing product value by 40-50%.

In rice production, Tan Binh Agricultural Cooperative (Dong Thap) has applied IoT sensors to manage water and nutrients, combined with drones to optimize input use. As a result, production costs have decreased by around 20%, while yields have increased by 15%.

Notably, circular agriculture models are being increasingly adopted, with post-harvest rice straw processed into organic fertilizer and returned to the fields. This approach helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and aligns with current requirements for green agriculture.

According to Mr. Tran Huu Toan, Director of Huu Hiep Durian Cooperative, exporting agricultural products requires full standardization of the entire process, from cultivation and harvesting to packaging, with technology playing a key role in quality control and residue management.

In practice, small-scale production remains a major barrier to applying high technology and accessing international markets. In this context, cooperatives are becoming central hubs connecting farmers with enterprises and scientists.

Many cooperatives have proactively partnered with research institutes and universities for technology transfer, while also signing off-take agreements with enterprises and fixing prices before harvest, helping farmers feel more secure in production.

According to Mr. Tran Thanh Hiep, Deputy Director of the An Giang Department of Agriculture and Environment, developing cooperatives in association with technology and value chain linkages has helped form large-scale raw material zones and enhance the competitiveness of local agricultural products.

Mr. Tran Minh Hai, Vice Rector of the School of Public Policy and Rural Development, emphasized that value chain linkages combined with the application of science and technology are an inevitable pathway to shift from small-scale production to large-scale commodity agriculture.

For these models to be effective, close coordination among stakeholders is essential. The government needs to strengthen support for technology transfer, businesses must commit to long-term partnerships with cooperatives, and farmers need to adopt a more professional production mindset.

$ 1 = VND 26,368 - Source: Vietcombank.