In the context of increasingly deep integration, mobilising resources from international non-governmental organisations is considered an important direction for strengthening the collective economic sector. In Dak Lak, many cooperatives have directly benefited from these long-term cooperation projects.

From the “three no’s” to sustainable forest cultivation

The Finnish Agri-Agency for Food and Forest Development (FFD) is one of the international organisations supporting cooperatives in the province. Three cooperatives have benefited: Hoa Dinh Tay Agricultural Service Cooperative (Phu Hoa 1 commune), Hoa My Tay General Agricultural Business Service Cooperative (Hoa My commune), and Hoa Phu General Agricultural Business Cooperative (Tay Hoa commune). These cooperatives participate in the project supporting small-scale forest growers towards forest certification in Viet Nam funded by FFD. Phase 1 was implemented over two years (2017-2018) with a total budget of about 3.8 billion VND, focusing on machinery and equipment investment and training in sustainable forest cultivation processes.

Members of cooperatives in the province receiving guidance on silvicultural techniques during the implementation of projects by international organisations in Vietnam.

As a result, instead of relying on stump-sprouting seedlings and experience-based cultivation, the cooperatives have established well-organised nurseries, producing more than 860,000 acacia and eucalyptus seedlings. Most forest owners have mastered forestry production techniques and gradually become familiar with the concept of FSC forest certification, which had previously been relatively unfamiliar.

Entering Phase 2 (2018-2025), the cooperatives continued to receive nearly 876 million VND in support from FFD. As a result, the three cooperatives together with 134 member households, covering more than 667 hectares of forest, have obtained FSC certification. This is considered a “passport” that helps locally planted forests increase their economic value while contributing to environmental protection.

Strengthening capacity for climate change adaptation

International cooperation projects have also made a clear impact beyond forestry, particularly in agriculture. The project supporting cooperatives in accessing credit and adapting to climate change for the 2022-2025 period, implemented by Agriterra (the Netherlands), has attracted the participation of four cooperatives in the province: Minh Toan Loi Agricultural Production, Trade and Service Cooperative (Phu Xuan commune), Ea Kiet Fair Service Agricultural Cooperative (Ea Kiet commune), Thang Binh General Agricultural Service Cooperative (Dang Kang commune), and Quyet Tien Agricultural and Service Cooperative (Ea M’Droh commune).

Many cooperatives in the province have opened services supplying forest tree seedlings and fruit tree varieties developed from the silvicultural techniques introduced.

Through the project, the cooperatives receive training in climate-smart coffee cultivation, intercropping coffee with durian, and production management oriented towards climate change adaptation. More importantly, they are supported in developing five-year strategic business plans linked to their key products, gradually accessing commercial credit and strengthening consumption linkages with enterprises.

Mr. Vo Van Son, Director of Thang Binh General Agricultural Service Cooperative, said that in 2024 Agriterra staff worked directly alongside the cooperative and farmers to review the entire production process, from cultivation to marketing. On that basis, the cooperative was supported in systematically developing a logo, product name, and product story, helping its rice gradually improve its competitiveness in the market.

According to the provincial Cooperative Alliance, it has proactively connected with international non-governmental organisations to implement many practical support programmes for cooperatives and cooperative groups. This approach helps cooperatives not only access external resources but also strengthen their capacity for self-governance and self-development, creating opportunities to integrate more deeply into domestic and international value chains. More importantly, the cooperation projects have helped reinforce the role of the new-style cooperative model, linking production with community support, assistance for vulnerable groups, and the creation of sustainable employment.

Translated by KHUONG THAO