Stronger links between farm production and consumption needed to enhance quality

There are currently 178 cooperatives and units throughout Hanoi which have received food safety certifications.

The development of connections between enterprises and farming households through a cooperative model is an urgent requirement for the enhancement of the quality of agricultural products and to boost consumption. However, there should be a seamless coordination from all parties involved.

According to Dao Van Ho, director of the Trade Promotion Centre for Agriculture under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, there have been various linkage models among enterprises, cooperatives, and farming households formed in recent years which lead to more favourable conditions for the consumption of agricultural products, adding economic value as well as encouraging the participation of farmers and members of cooperatives.

In recent times, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has implemented a pilot model of food management in accordance with the safe food chain. To date, 134 certificates have been issued for farms, production and processing and units in Ho Chi Minh City, and 11 other provinces including Dong Nai, Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, Tien Giang, Long An, Lam Dong, Hau Giang, Kien Giang, Dong Thap, Soc Trang, and Bac Lieu.

In addition, the total consumption of safe food from the participating units reached over 78,000 tonnes per year, contributing significantly to stabilising output as well as raising product prices, bringing mutual benefits for enterprises and farmers.

Meanwhile, in Hanoi, the total area of safe vegetables which has been certified as meeting food safety standards reached over 5,000 hectares with a total output of nearly 400,000 tonnes per year, meeting 40% of consumer demand.

There are currently 178 cooperatives and units throughout the whole city which have received food safety certifications. At many safe vegetable farms, farmers can earn up to VND1 billion (nearly US$44,000) per hectare per year.

The city has also stepped up research to produce vegetable seedlings with improved yields that are adapted to the local environment. It will also focus more on technology transfer; establishing safe vegetable production models, especially the cultivation of organic vegetables, to raise production efficiency and income for farmers.

However, many localities still encounter difficulties in growing vegetables according to safety standards due to their small-scale production and the lack of necessary capital to upgrade infrastructure.

More effective measures should be devised to bolster trade promotion, providing farmers with market information in a timely manner and supporting them in building safe vegetable trademarks.

Food safety inspections of fruit and vegetables should be enhanced in addition to promoting coordination among provinces and cities to boost the production and sales of safe vegetables.