Suoi Cat Cacao Agricultural Service Cooperative: A linkage model reaching international level

(DN) - Coming from a poor family, but with the will to rise up and the desire to get rich right in his hometown, Mr. Truong Van My in Xuan Loc commune, Dong Nai province has made efforts to build a large-scale cocoa field, mobilizing farmers to participate in production according to a sustainable chain. Thanks to that, Dong Nai cocoa products not only have stable output but also reach international standards, ranked in the top 10 excellent brands in Asia, contributing to promoting the development of local agriculture in a modern and effective direction. In particular, Mr. My has built the Suoi Cat Cocoa Agricultural Service Cooperative, which won the Cooperative Star Award in 2024 and many other prestigious awards.

After successfully developing a cocoa garden of more than 4 hectares with high economic efficiency, Mr. Truong Van My boldly mobilized local farmers to participate in growing cocoa in the direction of sustainable, organic production and stable consumption linkage. In 2020, the Suoi Cat Cocoa Agricultural Service Cooperative (HTX) was established with 22 members and 20 hectares of initial cultivation. To date, the Cooperative has grown to more than 100 hectares of cocoa with about 100 members participating. Mr. My is not only the leader but also the one who inspires, guides techniques, and shares experiences with people through training courses, seminars on organic cocoa farming and registering for GlobalGAP certification.

Thanks to the application of science and technology, business linkages and support policies from the Large Field model, many households that previously grew low-income cashews have now switched to growing cocoa, earning an income of 500-700 million VND/ha/year. Currently, the Cooperative has signed a product consumption contract with Marou Company, ensuring stable output for farmers. At the same time, the unit also focuses on deep processing and product development to increase value and expand markets to: France, Japan, Singapore, China, the US...

Cocoa farmers attend a training course organized by Mr. Truong Van My. Photo: Le Thuy

Mr. Truong Van My (white shirt) introduces to the cooperative members how to care for cocoa trees to ensure high quality and beautiful appearance. Photo: Le Thuy

From qualified raw materials, Suoi Cat Cacao Agricultural Service Cooperative has launched many product lines under the brand name "Thanh Y Cacao" such as: wine, wine, butter, lipstick extracted from cocoa butter, pure cocoa powder, and various types of chocolate - dark chocolate, milk chocolate, white chocolate, matcha, cashew nuts, peanuts, strawberries... Of which, 2 products: pure cocoa powder and milk chocolate have been certified with 3-star OCOP at the provincial level. In particular, fermented cocoa beans of the Cooperative are rated by American, Japanese, Singaporean, and Chinese enterprises as the best quality in Vietnam, willing to buy at high prices. This is a clear demonstration of the quality and reputation of Dong Nai agricultural products in the international market.

Mr. Truong Van My introduces the cooperative's OCOP cocoa products. Photo: Dang Hung

Not stopping at production, Mr. My also combines the sustainable organic agriculture model with experiential tourism, helping to increase the value of agricultural products, creating more jobs and income for local people. Xuan Loc Cacao Garden has now become a tourist, learning and experience destination for students, attracting about 2,000 visitors each year. In 2024, this place was recognized as meeting OCOP Tourism standards, contributing to promoting the image of modern, friendly and ecological Dong Nai agriculture.

Foreign tourists take photos with Mr. Truong Van My (middle) at the cocoa bean drying workshop at the Xuan Loc Cocoa Garden eco-tourism site. Photo: NVCC

With outstanding contributions, in 2023, Suoi Cat Cacao Agricultural Service Cooperative was honored to receive a certificate of merit from the Chairman of Dong Nai Provincial People's Committee for its outstanding achievements in the patriotic emulation movement; and was awarded a certificate of merit by the Vietnam Cooperative Alliance for outstanding collective economic development. The Cooperative continued to be honored as "Cooperative Star - CO-OPSTARS AWARDS 2024" and was certified by the Asian Research Institute as one of the top 10 Asian Excellent Brands. Mr. Truong Van My himself was also awarded the title of "Dong Nai Outstanding Farmer 2024", and the product "Thanh Y Cacao" was voted as a typical product of the province.

Mr. Truong Van My received the top 10 Asian Excellent Brands in 2024. Photo: NVCC

By 2025, the Cooperative will continue to receive a certificate of merit from the Chairman of the People's Committee of Dong Nai province for its outstanding achievements in the 2024 emulation cluster and block, affirming its pioneering position in the sustainable cocoa production model. On October 15, the Cooperative will continue to be honored at the 2025 Dong Nai Province Patriotic Emulation Congress.

Mr. Nguyen Van Giang, Vice Chairman of the Farmers' Association of Dong Nai province, said: "Through emulation movements, especially the movement of Good Farmers in Production and Business, many typical advanced models such as Mr. Truong Van My have appeared. These models contribute to spreading the spirit of innovation and creativity in production, helping farmers develop the economy in an organic, circular and ecological direction."

From a determined farmer, Mr. Truong Van My has proven that: when knowing how to change thinking, apply science and technology and know how to connect with each other, farmers can completely master the agricultural value chain, not only enriching themselves but also contributing to the development of Dong Nai agriculture in a modern, sustainable and internationally integrated manner.

Le Thuy - Dang Hung

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/tin-moi/202510/hop-tac-xa-nong-nghiep-dich-vu-ca-cao-suoi-cat-mo-hinh-lien-ket-vuon-tam-quoc-te-97c04e0/