JICA to Fund $3M to Enhance Functions of Cooperatives in Vietnam

The Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) will assist over $3 million to the second phase of a project to develop a multi-functional agricultural cooperative model in Vietnam. The “Enhancing Functions of Agricultural Co-operative in Vietnam” project – phase 2 will be carried out in the provinces of Thai Binh, Hoa Binh, Hai Duong, Binh Dinh and An Giang from 2011 to 2014. By communicating the achievements of the first phase (2006-10) to other regions and co-operatives, the second phase will build the support system for enhancing the effectiveness of co-operatives and training centers at the national and local levels. The first phase of the project was begun in March 2006. It aimed to assist the Government of Vietnam in developing new models in accordance with the Co-operative Law of 1996. The government would continue to promote the updating of traditional style co-operatives, which focus mainly on agriculture production, as well as establishing new co-operatives whose activities would include marketing, production, and credit distribution. Despite demands from co-operative members, little progress has been made due to the lack of experience of the officers. (Thoi Bao Kinh Te Saigon – Saigon Times Daily Oct 26)