Performance of Cooperatives in Tien Hai District, Thai Binh Province

The study investigated 35 cooperatives and 105 members of cooperatives in Tien Hai district in order to collect the situation and to propose recommendations to improve the results of production and business activities of cooperatives in the district. The study investigated 35 cooperatives and 105 members of cooperatives in Tien Hai district in order to collect information on production and business activities of cooperatives. On the basis of analyzing the current situation, the study has proposed some recommendations to improve the results of production and business activities of cooperatives. The results showed that most of the cooperatives in Tien Hai are operated in many fields with two main business activities, production and service provision. In the period of 2016-2018, the average profit tended to increase but remained at low amounts. The profit was mainly used for reinvestment, without distributing to members. The majority of cooperative members must take the initiative in capital generation and product consumption. The mobilization of capital from the members is minimal. Members are satisfied with participating in the cooperative; the quality and price of products and services provided by the cooperatives are assessed at good levels. However, the role of cooperatives in helping members increase revenue, increase profits and the initiative to seek new ideas to increase the performance is only at a neutral score. In order to improve the performance of cooperatives in the district in the coming time, the authorities, cooperatives and members need to focus on: solving capital difficulties; promoting investment in consumption activities; strengthening linkages between businesses with cooperatives and members; and encouraging the cooperatives and members participate in safe agricultural value chains.