Regional research “Agricultural innovations review in Sub-Mekong region countries” in the framework of the project “Network for Agriculture and Rural Development Think-tanks for Countries in Mekong sub-region” – November 2022 - April 2023.

Vietnam's agriculture and rural development have significantly contributed to the country's economic development, providing livelihoods for nearly 40% of the labor force and 60% of the rural population. However, the country's agriculture is fragmented, leading to low labor productivity, and added value in production. This lack of cohesion and cooperation in production results in unstable production, high market fluctuations, and unsustainability. The lack of linkages and cooperation restricts the construction of large commodity raw materials areas, hinders the application of scientific and technological advances, and causes environmental pollution. The Party and State have focused on improving the efficiency of the collective economy, but the development process is slow due to the lack of connection between stages in the production process and consumption of output products. The model of clubhouses has been formed in some localities to promote agricultural and rural development, connecting farmers, businesses, and the government in the process of innovation and improving economic, cultural, and social life.

Clubhouses “Hoi Quan” were established in Dong Thap province to connect farmers and other stakeholders in agricultural value chain. As of June 2021, the province had 111 clubhouses, with 27 cooperatives formed from 28 clubhouse models. These clubs serve as a center connecting farmers with each other, scientists, party organizations, and authorities at all levels. The establishment of clubhouses comes from the needs of the people, government, Fatherland Front, and other organizations.

The activities of clubhouses are diverse, ranging from farming to industry, tourism services, and linking different fields. The clubhouses have a voluntary principle, allowing members to exchange information and share experiences. They also promote the cohesion of the village community, contributing to socio-economic development and raising awareness about politics, society, and law.

The clubhouses have provided a community space for all people to help them build a better life for themselves. They promote self-governing communities, discussing common problems of society, and mobilizing social resources to build a new local countryside. The clubhouse model helps farmers associate production and consumption of agricultural products, contributing to economic efficiency and increasing income for farmers.

Hoi Quan “Clubhouse” in Dong Thap province: Diligence - Self-reliance - Cooperation

Source: Dang Quang Hieu, Dong Thap Department of agriculture and rural development

From the perspective of the community, the clubhouse model has contributed to changing production thinking in agriculture, creating confidence for people when investing and doing business, creating jobs, building value chains in agricultural production, and developing community-based tourism.

Despite the limitations of the cooperative model, the clubhouse model overcomes these limitations by becoming an organization with the cooperative to strengthen the association of agricultural production. With the participation of many stakeholders, including farmers, businesses, party committees, and local authorities, the clubhouse serves as a place to meet, exchange, and find a common voice, forming important links in the production and consumption of agricultural products and gradually developing large-scale commodity agricultural production.

Click this link for detail information: Hoi Quan “Clubhouse” model in Dong Thap province