Youth Union officials with the startup ecosystem to improve livelihoods in the mangrove area of ​​Ca Mau

TPO - Mr. Le Tran Anh Hung - Vice President of the Vietnam Youth Union of Ca Mau province chose to sustainably reduce poverty for people in areas affected by saltwater intrusion by creating a startup "ecosystem" so that people, especially young people in rural and remote areas, can stand on their own with ideas, skills and markets.

From the " Ca Mau Province Startup Support Handbook" launched in May 2020 to the "Ca Mau Province Startup Space" operating since early 2022, the initiatives he initiated and accompanied have changed the awareness of young people about preserving and developing livelihoods in mangrove areas.

“Ca Mau Province Start-up Support Handbook” is not only a reference document but is designed as a practical map on how to generate ideas, build business plans, access capital, connect with markets, and quality standards.

Flexible training courses, workshops and seminars, both online and in person, have attracted youth groups far from the center. Therefore, according to Mr. Hung, the spirit of companionship helps projects not only to exchange and share experiences but also to support the completion of processes, products and outputs.

Mr. Hung directly supports startup projects to participate in startup playgrounds and promote cooperation inside and outside the region.

According to Mr. Hung, the story of Ms. Tran Thi Xa - Director of Dam Doi Ba Khia Cooperative, and her husband, aquatic engineer Nguyen Van Mien, is a clear proof. From the days of making and selling each Ba Khia bag themselves, they were connected with experts, boldly invested in machinery, standardized processes according to HACCP, upgraded packaging, labels, and food hygiene and safety.

The salted crab product was then recognized by the local Department of Industry and Trade ( Ministry of Industry and Trade ) as one of the top 200 typical rural products in the Southern region in 2022. This is a step forward in competitiveness, added value and sustainability for coastal livelihoods.

Looking back on her entrepreneurial journey, the most precious thing for Ms. Xa was being "hands-on" from the time when the idea was still very vague. From redesigning packaging, labels, declaration documents, identity sets, instructions on completing necessary certifications and certificates for the food industry, food safety and hygiene... "When the product meets standards, the story of entering supermarkets, agents or appearing at fairs and exhibitions at home and abroad becomes much more favorable," said Ms. Xa.

Participating in the startup space, the cooperative team is also well-trained in operations management, marketing and online sales. From not knowing how to run ads, optimize booths on e-commerce platforms or tell brand stories, they can now set up their own sales channels, measure effectiveness and take better care of customers.

Dam Doi Ba Khia Cooperative has shown positive development signs thanks to participating in the startup ecosystem.

Besides activities supporting youth startups, Mr. Hung also actively initiated and participated in social projects to support people and children in difficult areas.

In addition, Ca Mau Startup Space is operated as a co-working space serving the community, 100% free, a meeting place for clubs, startup groups, mentors and investors.

To date, this place maintains more than 20 regularly operating clubs, attracts more than 20 start-up businesses to set up headquarters, put up promotional signs, and organizes more than 100 large and small events and specialized training. When space, procedures and resources are converged, the connection speed and success rate of projects are significantly improved.

According to Mr. Hung, in saline land, livelihood orientation associated with green transformation is focused. Therefore, he directly supports businesses in planting and developing salt-tolerant plants, while also orienting carbon credit business.

When the carbon story is linked to specific benefits that create livelihoods for people, forest owners and protect and develop forests, this model opens up a new source of income, suitable for the ecological characteristics of Ca Mau. In addition, community tourism models associated with conservation, along with a deep processing chain of agricultural and aquatic products, help localities increase value instead of selling raw products.

Some outstanding awards:

National Award for Excellent Young Officials, Civil Servants and Public Employees 2024;

Outstanding young face of Ca Mau province 2024;

Awards at the 2024 Asian International Film Festival.

Source: https://tienphong.vn/can-bo-doan-voi-he-sinh-thai-khoi-nghiep-nang-sinh-ke-vung-ngap-man-ca-mau-post1775951.tpo