Canh Tan Farmers' Forum: A Decade of Transforming Agricultural Mindsets
(DTO) While some agricultural models are remembered for their scale and others for their impressive statistics, Canh Tan Farmers' Forum—the first of its kind in Dong Thap Province—is celebrated for a far more enduring value: transforming farmers' mindsets.
Ten years ago, what began as informal gatherings under the eaves of homes on An Hoa Islet (now Phu Huu Commune, Dong Thap Province) marked the start of a remarkable journey of agricultural renewal. The transformation extended beyond improving longan cultivation techniques—it fundamentally changed how farmers viewed production, the market, and their own roles.
The story of Canh Tan Farmers' Forum originated from a field visit by Le Minh Hoan, former Vice Chairman of the National Assembly and former Secretary of the Dong Thap Provincial Party Committee.
After listening to the anxieties of residents on An Nhon Islet regarding fragmented production and unstable market outlets, he realized that what they truly needed was not just capital or technical support, but a space to gather, share, and jointly solve the agricultural development puzzle.
In July 2016, Canh Tan Farmers' Forum was officially established, pioneering the farmer forum model in Dong Thap. Without rigid regulations or organizational constraints, the forum has operated on the principles of voluntariness, knowledge sharing, and collective growth.
Chairman Nguyen Thanh Binh, Chairman of the forum, said that in its early days, meetings focused mainly on longan cultivation techniques, pest control, and off-season flowering manipulation. Through regular exchanges with scientists, businesses, and agricultural experts, however, farmers gradually broadened their perspectives.
"Through the forum, our members have come to understand that sustainable agriculture requires tight integration and a clear understanding of market demand, rather than simply focusing on high yields," Mr. Binh said.
As a result, discussions gradually expanded to include product traceability, export standards, brand building, digital transformation, and agricultural economics, helping farmers shift step-by-step from a production-oriented mindset to an agribusiness one.
As their thinking evolved, farming practices also changed. Over the past decade, Canh Tan Farmers' Forum has become a "classroom without walls" for local farmers.
Members have regularly gained access to VietGAP production techniques, off-season longan cultivation, water-saving irrigation, Indigenous Microorganism (IMO) biological preparations, organic farming, and circular agriculture.
To date, more than 113 hectares of longan orchards owned by the forum's members have achieved VietGAP certification. Many eco-friendly production models and water-saving irrigation systems have been successfully adopted, boosting longan yields from approximately 10–15 tonnes per hectare to 25–30 tonnes per hectare.
Mr. Nguyen Nhat Linh, one of the long-time members, said farming had previously relied largely on personal experience, resulting in low economic efficiency.
After joining the forum, gaining access to safe production practices, and learning from fellow members, he confidently adopted new cultivation methods. As a result, production costs declined, fruit quality improved, and market outlets became more stable.
The most vital value the forum brings is not simply new techniques, but the confidence for farmers to boldly innovate.
While technological improvements helped increase productivity, changing farmers' attitudes toward cooperation proved to be the greatest turning point.
Through regular discussions, members realized that entering demanding global markets required collective production rather than individual efforts.
In late 2017, the An Hoa Safe Agricultural Product Cooperative was established on the foundation built by the Forum.
Today, the cooperative has developed 23 Production Unit Codes (PUCs) covering approximately 550 hectares of longan orchards meeting VietGAP and LocalGAP standards, while gradually advancing toward GlobalGAP certification. Chau Thanh longan products have successfully entered major markets, including the United States, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, and China.
According to forum member Pham Van Nhut Tri, the greatest value of joining the group lies in the spirit of solidarity among farmers. Previously, each household sought traders independently, leaving market access highly unpredictable. Today, farmers invest with greater confidence, supported by both the cooperative and partner enterprises. Beyond secured market linkages, members actively share technical knowledge and farming experience, collectively improving product quality and strengthening the shared power of the region's longan industry.
The strength of this cooperation became particularly evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the forum and cooperative successfully connected markets to offload more than 400 tonnes of longan and dozens of tonnes of other agricultural products, helping many farming households overcome a critical crisis while maintaining production.
After ten years of operation, Canh Tan Farmers' Forum has not only improved agricultural productivity but has also become a core driver behind new-style rural development, environmental protection, collective economic development, and digital transformation in agriculture.
Mr. Huynh Thanh Tung, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee and Chairman of the Farmers' Union of Phu Huu Commune, assessed that the forum model has proven its effectiveness in bringing farmers together through democracy, solidarity, and shared development.
Beyond driving income growth for residents, the forum has also contributed to building a more cohesive, civilized, and prosperous rural community.
According to Mr. Tung, local authorities will continue supporting the forum to further improve its effectiveness and replicate its successful approaches in other localities.
By MY NHAN - THANH DU
Translated by X.QUANG
