Building an agricultural value chain for sustainable growth

From herbal-fed pig farming to an integrated agricultural value chain, Nguyen Ngoc Sang, Director of Sang Nhung Safe Food Production and Processing Cooperative, has embraced circular economy practices, digital transformation and science and technology to modernise agriculture. His efforts have created jobs, supported farmers and increased the value of local agricultural products, earning him a place among the 96 outstanding Vietnamese farmers honoured in 2026 for their contributions to 40 years of Doi Moi (Renewal).

A high-quality organic rice production partnership between Sang Nhung Cooperative and Tan Trao Commune.

Established in 2018 and officially commencing operations in 2020, Sang Nhung Cooperative now raises around 12,000 pigs annually on a 4.7-hectare site. Its livestock feed is blended with medicinal herbs, while production and sales data are digitised and products carry QR codes for traceability. Livestock waste is treated with microbial preparations to produce organic fertiliser for crop cultivation. The cooperative is also partnering with South Korea’s COVEKA to build a high-tech facility for treating waste, wastewater and emissions, as well as producing organic microbial fertiliser, with a planned annual capacity of 10,000 tonnes.

Building on its livestock operations, the cooperative has developed more than 10 processed pork products, expanded into raising indigenous black chickens and producing herbal-fed chicken eggs, and established a network of clean food stores in Tuyen Quang, Phu Tho and Hanoi. It also partners with local producers to distribute Shan Tuyet tea, Ham Yen sweet oranges, honey, arrowroot vermicelli and other products under the One Commune, One Product (OCOP) programme.

The cooperative’s business performance has improved steadily. In 2023, it employed 30 workers and generated VND 22.2 billion in revenue. These figures rose to 80 workers and VND 38.7 billion in 2024. By 2025, the cooperative had 110 regular employees and revenue of VND 48.5 billion, with an average monthly income of around VND 10 million per worker.

In 2026, the cooperative was among 10 collectives receiving the “Innovative Cooperative” award. Its pork products had previously won the first Mai An Tiem Award in 2024.

During the 2026 summer-autumn crop season, the cooperative expanded its partnerships to rice production, growing Nep A Sao, ST25 and TBR16 varieties in Tan Trao, Dong Tho and Hong Son communes, with the aim of establishing stable raw material areas. In Tan Trao, it works with local authorities, specialists and farmers to supply seeds, agricultural inputs and organic fertiliser, refine production processes, ensure traceability and connect products with markets. In Thai Binh Commune, it has supplied organic fertiliser to greenhouse vegetable and fruit production models.

Sang said the cooperative aims to connect production, processing and distribution, enabling farmers to participate in and benefit from the value chain. From livestock farming to crop cultivation, Sang Nhung’s development demonstrates a path towards modern, green and sustainable agriculture, while creating livelihoods, increasing the value of local produce and contributing to the development of his hometown.

Ngoc Hao