Organic black pepper value increased by 50% due to meeting US and EU standards

Due to organic production, black pepper products of Linh Nham Agriculture-Service Cooperative have been present in fastidious markets such as the US and EU.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Chau, Director of Linh Nham Cooperative, in the organic pepper garden. Photo: Dang Lam.

50-60% increase in value

Linh Nham Agriculture-Service Cooperative (Linh Nham Cooperative), Mang Yang district, Gia Lai province, consists of 8 members, with 24 hectares of pepper and 1 hectare of coffee. In the context of the pepper market with many uncertainties, especially in price, the cooperative's goal is to ensure the output with high-quality products. One of the cooperative's key products is organic black pepper.

Director of Linh Nham Cooperative, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Chau, shared that organic production is about using organic fertilizers and biological pesticides and protecting organisms in the farming environment.

"If fully follow the organic farming process, the yield will be stable, at least dried 4 tonnes per hectare," said Mr. Chau.

Cultivating the idea of ​​organic pepper production since 2015, Linh Nham Cooperative has sold products meeting European standards to Nedspice Processing Vietnam Ltd. in 2017.

In 2020, Linh Nham organic pepper achieved international certification of organic pepper according to USDA and EU standards in the growing area in Dak DJ'Rang commune, Mang Yang district. As a result, Linh Nham organic pepper brings its value increase by 50-60%.

Since the early days, Mr. Le Hong Nam, Linh Nham village, one of the members participating in the cooperative, has 4 hectares of pepper, of which he harvested 2 hectares. He said that by joining the cooperative, he had applied to many technical advances in production.

Black pepper is rich in a plant compound called piperine, which has potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. In addition, piperine can improve brain function, lower blood cholesterol, fight cancer, enhance nutrient absorption, and promote gut health.

Thanks to organic products, Linh Nham Cooperative is supported to build a brand name of OCOP products. Compared to raw materials, the cooperative's products' value has increased dozens of times, helping cooperative members feel secure in production, despite the effects of disease and climate change.

Strict production process

According to Mr. Nguyen Thanh Chau, Director of Linh Nham Cooperative, growing organic black pepper meeting US and EU standards is challenging. Still, it is necessary to follow the cultivation process strictly.

Specifically, cooperative members must minimize the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, stimulants, etc., to reduce residual chemical residues in products such as nitrates, heavy metals, and microorganisms causing disease.

Before each new season, the cooperative's members are also guided in soil preparation, selection of quality varieties, and how to make a daily diary to ensure product traceability.

Another advantage of Linh Nham organic black pepper is that it is grown outside without genetically modified products. Therefore, the product's nutritional content is always higher than usual, helping farmers to grow easier. Moreover, the pepper price has a guarantee.

"The production cost of organic black pepper is not much higher than that of traditional production," Mr. Chau emphasized.

Organic black pepper is packaged in 250-gram cans. Linh Nham Cooperative commits that the product is 100% whole grain black pepper. Besides being a spice in meals, organic black pepper is also used as a traditional medicine to treat colds and coughs, anti-oxidants, skin aging, and memory impairment.

In addition to the processing and distribution of black pepper, Linh Nham Cooperative develops the Central Highlands's typical vegetables, tubers, fruits. The cooperative's products meet VietGAP standards, including cucumbers, bitter melons, pumpkins, zucchini, vegetables of all kinds, asparagus, peppers, taro, avocados, oranges, and tangerines.

With the attention and guidance of agricultural leaders, all Linh Nham Cooperative's products are carefully packed and stamped with traceability stamps. Products are protected by the National Office of Intellectual Property of Vietnam (Ministry of Science and Technology).

With the policy of building a brand for safe agricultural products, ensuring competitiveness in the market, Linh Nham Cooperative always provides complete information on packaging, labels, and public addresses on the Internet.