On Long Hoa Island in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, life depends on the rhythm of the tides. Here, farmers of Chau Hung Cooperative (CHCO)have long combined rice and shrimp farming in harmony with the changing seasons. When the freshwater comes, rice grows. When the salty water returns, shrimp thrive.
It’s a clever system that makes use of nature instead of fighting it. But even the smartest practices are not immune to today’s challenges. Shrimp prices swing wildly, markets for organic rice are hard to reach, and climate change is raising salinity levels year after year.
For the members of CHCO, uncertainty was becoming the norm. Something had to change.
Planting the Seeds of Transformation
That change began when the cooperative partnered with Agriterra. Together with the Tra Vinh Cooperative Alliance, Tra Vinh University, and the Nuffic Empower Youth for Food Project, farmers started to look at their future differently.
Support came in practical ways:
- Workshops and training gave farmers stronger sales and marketing skills.
- Business planning sets a clear direction for the next five years.
- Innovation took root, from drone spraying services to new agro-ecotourism activities.
- Expansion increased production areas by 20%, adding 100 hectares under the cooperative.
Most importantly, the cooperative began to see possibilities rather than problems.
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Farmers’ Voices
“Thanks to Agriterra support, we extended our services with a clear business plan,” says La Quoc Yen, Director of Chau Hung Cooperative.“Our farmers are now identifying new income opportunities based on their own resources, which contributes to our long-term sustainable development.”
For farmer members, the benefits are tangible. Rice income is now more stable thanks to contracts with purchasing companies. New opportunities in ecotourism allow women to take leading roles, creating both income and pride for their families. And with a stronger cooperative identity, members feel more committed and united.
Why It Matters
This journey aligns with the global goals we all share:
- No Poverty (SDG 1): farmers diversify income and stabilize livelihoods.
- Gender Equality (SDG 5): women gain new roles and opportunities.
- Decent  Work & Economic Growth (SDG 8): cooperatives extend services, markets, and job opportunities.
From Local Resources to Lasting Resilience
The heart of this transformation lies in one lesson: the solutions were already there, hidden in the farmers’ own resources and knowledge. Agriterra’s role was to support, connect, and strengthen what existed, so the cooperative could flourish on its own terms.
By diversifying income streams, building women's participation, and extending services, CHCO is not only surviving in uncertain times but thriving. Their journey shows how resilient farmer organisations can turn challenges into opportunities, creating prosperity for entire communities.
At Agriterra, we believe these are the seeds of change that grow into a thriving tomorrow. Together with cooperatives like Chau Hung, we are sowing today to harvest hope, stability, and prosperity for generations to come.
