Nha Bich: Cooperative revolutionizes melon production!

Nha Bich: Cooperative revolutionizes melon production!

The Nha Bich cooperative was founded in 2023 with initially 11 members, which has now grown to 16 members, including three members of ethnic minorities. This cooperative has set itself the task of making agriculture in its region more sustainable. A central element of their strategy is the development of a closed production model consisting of five modern greenhouses. Three plants are grown every year, with around 45 tons of high-quality melons being delivered. The cooperative is led by Mr. Than Quang Sang as Chairman of the Board and Mr. Lam Tip as Deputy Director.

The pilot planting of the DIVA 16 melon variety has produced unexpectedly positive results. This variety is characterized by a short growing season, large fruits and high yields. In addition to DIVA 16, the cooperative is also testing the DEVA 18 melon variety. An innovative aspect of production is the use of a bee pollination technique based on Israeli biotechnology. This technique uses only two hives per greenhouse, saving up to two-thirds of labor costs. As a result, the melons are uniform, have a thin skin and a natural sweetness with fewer dents.

Goals and challenges of the cooperative

The cooperative aims to meet 4-star OCOP standards and offer its products in supermarkets and export markets. There are also plans to expand to include two more greenhouses, which together will cover an area of ​​7,000 m². A modern, intelligently controlled irrigation system will also be introduced to increase production efficiency. However, a significant obstacle is the lack of capital needed to expand production. Currently, members rely on their own contributions and are considering legalizing community property in order to obtain bank loans. There is also the possibility of receiving capital from the provincial support fund, provided certain conditions are met.

The local government is optimistic and expects the cooperative to further develop, recruit new members and increase the market value of Binh Phuoc melon products. Agricultural cooperatives, like the Nha Bich, play a crucial role in rural development by creating jobs and increasing the income of their members. This development is also reflected in the general trends in agriculture in Germany.

The role of agricultural cooperatives in Germany

In Germany there are over 400 agricultural goods and service cooperatives that act as service providers for agriculture and utilize the entire range of animal and plant products. Members of these cooperatives are farmers, fishermen, gardeners and winegrowers who have come together to strengthen their market position vis-à-vis trade and industry. Cooperatives enable farmers to be successful in competition with large agricultural companies.

The importance of cooperatives goes back a long way. Pioneers of rural cooperatives such as Friedrich Wilhelm Raiffeisen and Wilhelm Haas founded the first rural cooperatives in the second half of the 19th century. These have proven to be indispensable for modernizing agricultural production and improving the economic situation of farmers. Agricultural cooperatives cover all areas of agriculture, from production to sales, thereby creating a stable and sustainable economic basis for rural areas.

In total, around 495,000 farmers, winegrowers, forest owners and fishermen are part of a rural cooperative system that has over 1.4 million members. Cooperatives are important employers in rural areas and offer attractive jobs to more than 114,000 employees and 6,000 trainees. The rural cooperatives have a total turnover of 60.6 billion euros. These figures demonstrate the important role that cooperatives play in German agriculture and rural development.

The Nha Bich cooperative is a current example of the positive development and opportunities that such agricultural associations offer both for its members and for the region. Their goals and challenges reflect the dynamics of modern cooperatives and show how collaboration and innovation can find sustainable solutions for agricultural production.

Vietnam reports on these developments during the Cooperative Association highlights the importance of agricultural cooperatives in Germany. Further information on the role and structures of these cooperatives can be found at We live cooperatively.