In the context of increasingly strict ecological standards of the market, Dong Thap frankly acknowledges: Competition in the future is no longer about output but about standards. To make the 1st Fruit Festival a milestone in realizing the goal of turning the locality into a "Green and Safe" fruit capital, what breakthrough steps has the province taken to support gardeners in controlling quality from farms to tables? Let's listen to the explanation from Mr. Nguyen Phuoc Thien - Vice Chairman of Dong Thap Provincial People's Committee.
At this festival, Dong Thap clearly sets a goal to "launch" the image of a safe fruit capital and green production. In the context of increasingly strict ecological standards, how will this "green and safe" positioning solve the long-term economic problem for the locality, sir?
Mr. Nguyen Phuoc Thien: When Dong Thap mentioned the goal of building the image of a "green and safe fruit capital", we did not see this as a communication slogan but as a long-term development strategy. The current market is changing very quickly. If consumers were mainly interested in delicious or reasonably priced fruits, now they are starting to ask more deeply: Where to produce? Who produces? Is it safe, is it traceable? Is there low emission and is there environmental responsibility?
This means that competition in the future will no longer be in output but in standards. To meet this requirement, Dong Thap proactively takes the lead in the process of transitioning to an agricultural economy. The province focuses on building standard raw material areas, strictly managing planting area codes and packaging facilities. At the same time, we promote the application of digital transformation, operate centralized databases and digitize monitoring processes to ensure transparency and accuracy.
This green and digital development orientation will help Dong Thap thoroughly solve three long-term economic problems: Maintaining and expanding the market: Meeting strict safety and ecological standards is the "travel pass" for Dong Thap fruit to go deep into modern distribution systems and high-value export markets. Increasing value instead of increasing output: One kilogram of fruit, if only sold raw, will always have a limit on value. But if it is associated with brands, deep processing technology, land stories and tourism experiences, the economic value created will be many times greater. Creating a sustainable foundation for farmers: Green production is not to make it difficult for farmers, but to help them reduce input costs by optimizing resources, minimizing market crashes and increasing stable long-term income.
After this Festival, when mentioning Dong Thap fruit, we want consumers not only to remember the sweetness of the fruit, but also to remember a commitment: These are products made with responsibility to community health, to the environment and to the future of Vietnamese agriculture.
To have standard products brought to the festival, what breakthrough policies has the province been and is having to support gardeners to shift from traditional farming thinking to circular agriculture, sir?
Mr. Nguyen Phuoc Thien: If just making empty calls, the green transformation process will be very difficult to succeed. To have clean fruits, first of all, it is necessary to create conditions for gardeners to transform smoothly and see the economic benefits. Therefore, Dong Thap is focusing on shifting from the "production management" mindset to "creating a green production ecosystem" with 4 groups of synchronous solutions. First, reorganizing production from the root: The province promotes the development of cooperatives and cooperative groups to closely link with businesses. We expand the management of planting area codes and apply digital applications to closely monitor raw material areas. Dong Thap's point of view is that to control quality, it cannot start at border gates or supermarkets, but must start right from the garden.
Two, supporting the transition to an eco-cyclical model: Encouraging gardeners to gradually reduce dependence on chemicals, increase the use of organic fertilizers, fully utilize agricultural by-products, manage integrated pests and water saving. The goal is to create a healthy and sustainable farming ecosystem.
Three, taking technology and digital transformation as a fulcrum for farmers: Through training programs, community agricultural extension, guidance on electronic diary application and e-commerce, the province helps farmers gradually shift from purely experience-based farming to farm management using modern data.
Fourth, change the frame of reference for evaluating results: Previously, agricultural achievements were usually measured by productivity and output. Currently, Dong Thap scores based on indicators: quality, rate of meeting market standards, resource efficiency, added value and actual income of people.
At this Festival, what we are proud to "launch" is not only delicious fruits, but also the way Dong Thap is making those fruits - through a responsible and controlled process. When farmers have better incomes thanks to green production, the transformation will no longer be a movement of initiative, but become an intrinsic driving force of the entire industry.
Thank you very much, sir!
