On 18^th – 19^th June, 2020, MCD collaborated with partners to organize a series of training activities and visiting to learn experiences of shrimp farming cooperatives in Cu Lao Dung – Soc Trang. The training course focused on improving the capacity of value linkage and financial management in Ca Mau shrimp cooperatives. There were 45 participants (30 men, 15 women) attending the training including the representatives from Ca Mau Sub-Department of Fisheries, Ca Mau Women’s Union, 06 shrimp farming cooperatives belong to Cai Nuoc district, Dam Doi district, Thoi Binh district; the non-governmental organizations MCD, WWF and Mr. Trinh Quang Tu, expert from Vietnam Institute of Fisheries Economics and Planning.

The training objective is aimed to: (i) Strengthen the capacity to link value chains and increase the participation of agricultural cooperatives in the shrimp value chain in Ca Mau; (ii) Improve financial management capacity and capital mobilization in cooperatives to build up and implement the group business plan (iii) Mobilize the participation of members to promote access to resources, services and opportunities especially for women, thereby mobilizing women to participate in group activities.

With the support of expert and MCD, participants improved their knowledge, methods of building and developing shrimp value links in general and shrimp value chains in particular, identified the linkage problems and proposed solutions to improve the value linkage; as well as understanding and practicing financial management and capital mobilization in cooperatives as a part of the group business plan.

Image: Participants attend the course

During the training, the cooperatives discussed, shared and identified difficulties and advantages in the shrimp value chain (including extensive shrimp, intensive shrimp, organic rice-shrimp) and proposed solutions; developed goals and activities for group planning in the coming year (including mobilizing financial and human resources). The training improved the capacity and skills of cooperative members, facilitated the role of women in groups and value linkages; planning management groups and capital mobilization. After the training, MCD and local partners collaborated in further facilitating Ca Mau shrimp cooperatives to continuous improvement and implementation of the group business plan, shrimp value linkage and livelihood practices with participation of women in Ca Mau shrimp cooperatives.

Image: Ms. Nguyen Bao Tran – Representative of Tri Luc Cooperative expressing her opinions

Image: The cooperatives joined group discussion to identify the chain diagram, problems in the shrimp value linkage in the locality

Image: Participants shared proposed solutions to improve rice-shrimp value chains locally

On June 19, the delegation visited the business and production model of Hung Phu Seafood Cooperative in Cu Lao Dung District, Soc Trang. Hung Phu Cooperative shared their experiences in shrimp farming and value linkage, at the same time they introduced the livelihood practices and trade in dry products such as monsoon shrimp, dried fish, dried shrimp and local community tourism.

Image: Participants visited Hung Phu Cooperative and San Tien Community Tourism Facility

This activity is conducted within the framework of the Project: “Gender Transformative and Responsible Agribusiness Investments in South East Asia (GRAISEA 2) implemented by MCD in Ca Mau province and supported by OXFAM in Vietnam. The goal of the project is to strengthen the capacity of small-scale producers especially women to get equal opportunities and benefits, and to support enterprises in increasing their business effectiveness, application and implementation of social and responsible standards in the shrimp value chain in the adaptation to climate change, contributing to the improvement and implementation of national and local policies.