(VNF) - The Department of Cooperatives and Rural Development (DCRD) and the non-governmental organisation, Good Neighbours International (GNI) signed an agreement to develop new cooperative models and farm produce value chains in Vietnam, on March 7^th.

Scene at the signing ceremony. (Photo: GNI)

The agreement will support the establishment and operation of agricultural cooperatives and the development of farm produce value chains in areas where the GNI is running its income-generation projects.

Between 2018 and 2020, the two sides are set to build a suitable action plan, carry out research and surveys on the demand and consumption of agricultural products, promote the products, and help producers to build trademarks for their goods.

Ma Quang Trung, DCRD Director, said that only 38 per cent of Vietnam’s 12,000 cooperatives are working effectively. Vietnamese cooperatives often have a small scale, and their members earn low incomes and face various difficulties in selling their products.

Ma Quang Trung, DCRD Director speaks at the ceremony. (Photo: GNI)

According to An Yong Sic, Chief Representative of GNI in Vietnam, the organisation has collaborated with more than 1,000 farmers in Thanh Hoa, Hoa Binh, and Tuyen Quang provinces, and with a numbers of shopping malls and convenience stores in Hanoi. Currently, many of the farmers’ goods are on shelves of Kmart, Lotte mart, and Vinmart stores in the capital city.

In the coming years, GNI will continue to support the development of new products and connect partners to assist farmers in the consumption of agricultural products.Along with that, the organisation will continue to supplement 12 revolving funds of livelihood groups which now reach VND 12.4 billion (USD 545,600).

Established in 1991, GNI implements community development projects globally to improve the quality of life and access to education, as well as to provide aid in areas of civil unrest or natural disasters. Found in 2005, GNI Vietnam has initiated many programs in underprivileged areas of the country, including sponsorship, case management, education and protection, health care, water-sanitation, income generation, raising the awareness of local residents, and emergency relief./.

Translated by Chau Pham