HCMC – Vietnam will have an additional 1,600 agricultural co-operatives this year, raising the total in the country to 22,500, according to a Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development plan.

The agricultural sector looks to form co-operatives in association with businesses in charge of producing, processing and consuming agro products, the local media reported.

To do so, the ministry will support agricultural co-operatives in jointly producing staple products, applying advanced technology and certified production processes, and connecting with markets.

The ministry will revise policies to encourage the growth of farmers’ co-operatives, including those related to human resources, land, finances, credit, science-technology, market and infrastructure.

The ministry will work to handle co-operatives which are performing poorly, have been suspended or are awaiting dissolution.

Data from the ministry showed that the country has 94 agricultural co-operative unions and nearly 21,000 farmers’ co-operatives to date.