Strengthening (financial) management and efficiency services

Dien Quang Cooperative (DQC) was founded in 1978 and currently has 2.152 members. At the start of the cooperative, there were 3.541 members. Each member has to buy one share (1.000.000 VND) when entering as a member. The total farmland area farmed by DQC's members is 700 hectares: 160 ha is used for growing rice, and 540 ha for growing vegetable (chili, soybean, corn and watermelon). The average farm size is 500 m2 (per person). Farmers also raise cows (slaughtered for meat). The main challenges for DQC are: farmers do not really feel involved in the cooperative; financial tools to analyse the provided services is limited, and management is unable to find stable markets for the products of the members. Based on the findings, Agriterra has presented an overview of the activities to be carried out in 2016. The following activities have been agreed upon for the 1st semester of 2016: • Financial manager assisted in developing tool to collect relevant management information • Support improving efficiency slaughterhouse • Management training about efficiency and effectiveness on basis new financial management tool. Depending on progress, following activies in the 2nd semester of 2016: • Business development planning • Training in marketing skills • Studying involvement of youth (e.g. youth council) • Developing SOPs (Standard Operational Procedures)