Expanding development space for agriculture

A delegation from the Can Tho City Farmers' Association visits a shrimp farming model in Phuoc An commune, Dong Nai City. Photo: Van Doan

These two-way exchange programs not only enable cooperatives and farmers to learn from successful production and business models but also create opportunities to establish partnerships and expand markets for agricultural products.

Creating connections for agricultural development

Rather than focusing solely on local production, Dong Nai has actively organized study tours for farmers to learn from successful agricultural models in other localities. At the same time, it has welcomed delegations from across the country to visit its own outstanding production models. These two-way exchanges have become an effective platform for sharing experiences and strengthening cooperation in agricultural development.

In mid-July 2026, a delegation organized by the Dong Nai City Cooperative Alliance (DNCA) paid a working visit to Bac Ninh Province to exchange experiences and promote trade. The delegation included 20 representatives from agencies responsible for the collective economy and leading cooperatives in Dong Nai. Representatives of the cooperative alliances of the two localities shared experience in cooperative development, brand building and agricultural product promotion. They also signed a memorandum of understanding for the 2026–2030 period to strengthen cooperation in promoting and marketing OCOP products and regional specialties.

As part of the program, Toan Thang Agricultural Production and Services Cooperative of Bac Ninh and Phuong Lam Trade and Services Cooperative of Dong Nai City signed an agreement to cooperate in the supply and marketing of agricultural products, creating new opportunities to bring regional specialties from both localities to a wider market.

Truong Van My, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Suoi Cat Cocoa Agricultural Service Cooperative in Xuan Loc ward, said the greatest benefit of such study tours is the opportunity to observe successful production models firsthand and to exchange practical experience with those who operate them.  He noted that cooperatives in Bac Ninh have gained valuable experience in post-harvest processing and preservation, particularly through the use of drying systems, which could be applied to a wide range of agricultural products in Dong Nai.

Meanwhile, Dong Nai has also become a destination for delegations seeking to learn about agricultural development and the collective economy.

On July 14, a delegation from the Can Tho City Farmers' Association visited a shrimp farming model in Phuoc An commune, the Truong Phat Agricultural Services Cooperative in Nhon Trach ward, and the Long Thanh Phat High-tech Agricultural Cooperative in Long Thanh ward.

At the sites, the delegation learned about production processes, the application of science and technology, product marketing linkages and practical experience in developing the collective economy.

Strengthening cooperation for sustainable growth

According to Nguyen Thanh Hien, Acting Vice Chairwoman of the DNCA, the alliance has launched a wide range of training and networking programs while regularly organizing study tours across the country. These programs are tailored to different sectors, enabling cooperatives to learn effective governance, production and business models while promoting their products, improving packaging and expanding market access.

The Cooperative Alliances of Dong Nai City and Bac Ninh Province sign a memorandum of understanding for the 2026–2030 period to strengthen cooperation in promoting OCOP products and regional specialties.

Through these learning exchanges, local cooperatives have effectively adopted models from other localities. People's credit funds have learned to organize transaction spaces, provide customer care, and manage operations; agricultural cooperatives have acquired cultivation and crop care techniques; while trade and service cooperatives operating markets have gained experience in spatial planning, management, and fire prevention and firefighting safety. 

In the coming years, the DNCA will continue to organize study tours, participate in trade promotion programs, and work closely with cooperative alliances and businesses nationwide to strengthen market connections for agricultural products. The alliance also plans to cooperate with other localities to promote regional specialties, share raw material resources and build stronger networks among cooperatives, contributing to the sustainable development of the collective economy.

According to Nguyen Van Giang, Acting Vice Chairman of the Dong Nai City Farmers' Association, the association has actively strengthened cooperation with provinces and cities nationwide through exchange programs, study visits and cooperation agreements, creating opportunities for localities to share experience in agricultural development and the collective economy.

Delegations from localities such as Can Tho and Tay Ninh have visited Dong Nai to study cooperative models, high-tech agricultural production, agricultural value chain linkages and collective economic development. Conversely, the Dong Nai City Farmers' Association has organized study tours to Hanoi, Lam Dong and other localities to learn about digital transformation, the Farmers' Support Fund, OCOP development, circular agriculture and production models associated with agri-tourism.

Following each visit, suitable models have been introduced and adapted to local conditions. Through these exchanges and cooperation agreements, Dong Nai is gradually building a stronger network of partnerships with localities nationwide. The growing network is creating new opportunities to strengthen production linkages, expand markets and enhance the value of agricultural products.