Women promote clean agricultural production

As agricultural production increasingly demands higher standards of safety and quality, Women’s Unions at all levels have been affirming their core role in innovating production methods, boldly applying science and technology, and developing clean agricultural and deep-processing models. These women-led models are contributing to enhancing product value, creating jobs, and transforming the rural landscape.

With a desire to bring consumers safe and high-quality agricultural products, in 2012, Ms. Luong Minh Thao established the Minh Thao Agricultural and Herbal Production Facility. By 2022, it officially became Minh Thao Agricultural and Herbal Cooperative (Ham Yen commune). From the very beginning, the cooperative clearly set out its goal of protecting the health of both producers and consumers. Its production process applies modern machinery, and raw material areas are cultivated following VietGAP and organic standards, with strict control over every stage to ensure food safety and environmental hygiene. The cooperative’s products have met export-quality standards to markets such as the United Kingdom and China.

Ms. Luong Minh Thao, Director of Minh Thao Agricultural and Herbal Cooperative, introduces key products at the Vietnam Agriculture Exhibition.

In addition to its two main products - lime syrup and kumquat syrup - both certified as 4-star OCOP products, the cooperative continuously expands its portfolio with deeply processed products such as orange syrup, lotus leaf tea, lotus flower tea, dried lotus root powder, dried papaya flowers, dried dragon fruit, dried pineapple, and yellow flower tea. All products are processed using freeze-drying technology within 48 hours, preserving their natural flavor and increasing economic value.

Director Luong Minh Thao shared: “I hope the Women’s Union at all levels will continue organizing creative playgrounds, contests, and training sessions on science and technology, so that members have more opportunities to promote products, improve quality, and expand markets.”

Not only Ms. Thao’s cooperative, but the model led by Ms. Dinh Thi Thu, Director of Nhat Minh Cooperative (Tan Quang commune), is also a bright example of agricultural production and value enhancement. Making use of local natural resources, the cooperative successfully researched and produced Thuan Mai Papaya Leaf Tea, a digestive-supporting product inspired by traditional remedies combined with modern processing technology. Additionally, the cooperative diversifies its product range with herbal goods such as eugenias tea, lemongrass essential oil, and bagged soapberry shampoo, meeting the increasing consumer demand.

With the motto “link production for development,” Nhat Minh Cooperative has signed stable raw material purchasing contracts with households in Tan Quang, Tan Thanh, and neighboring communes. Each year, the cooperative purchases tons of herbal raw materials, creating stable jobs for four women with an average monthly income of VND7 million. Its annual revenue exceeds VND2 billion, proving the effectiveness of clean agricultural and deep-processing production models in the locality.

Women in Tuyen Quang, especially those in highland communes, have long been the backbone of agricultural and forestry production. In recent years, Women’s Unions at all levels have supported them through practical activities such as providing preferential loans, organizing training on cultivation and processing techniques, establishing model projects, and connecting sales through fairs and e-commerce platforms. As a result, many members have boldly shifted crop and livestock structures, developed safe vegetable production, and cultivated medicinal plants such as gynostemma, turmeric, cinnamon, and sam bo chinh (Abelmoschus sagittifolius). There are now hundreds of women-led cooperatives and cooperative groups, with many products achieving 3- to 4-star OCOP certification and being sold in supermarkets inside and outside the province.

Ms. Trieu Thi Tinh, Standing Vice Chairwoman of the Provincial Women’s Union shared: “The province currently has 291,578 women members, of whom about 20–22% are economic leaders - female directors, business owners, or cooperative heads - equivalent to 58,000–64,000 members. Along with effective economic models, the average income of women in the province has increased 1.5 to 2 times compared to the period before 2019, contributing significantly to the goal of building new rural areas, creating sustainable livelihoods, and preserving the indigenous farming knowledge of ethnic minorities.”

The active participation of women members in production models has contributed to increasing the value of agricultural products and promoting rural economic restructuring. In the coming time, the Provincial Women’s Union will continue to promote the movement “Women Start Creative Businesses, Build Green–Clean–Sustainable OCOP Products,” strengthen digital transformation training, and promote product marketing toward export. This will serve as an important “bridge” to help members develop their economy and enhance the role of rural women in the integration era.

Nhu Quynh