However, to take advantage, farmers and businesses must tighten quality, improve techniques and build sustainable linkage chains.
Mekong Delta agricultural products welcome great opportunities
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the General Administration of Customs of China have just signed a Protocol on exporting fresh jackfruit to China on November 27, opening up opportunities for Vietnamese agricultural products in the billion-people market.
With a production area of 8 hectares of jackfruit, an average output of 50 tons/ha, Mr. Nguyen Phong Luu (a farmer in Thoi Hung commune, Can Tho city) - expressed: "Currently, my jackfruit area has gone through the steps of inspection and assessment and is waiting for the issuance of a growing area code (MSVT), hoping that the Protocol will soon be put into practice to ensure output and prices for farmers".
With the main export items being star apple and durian, Mr. Tran Van Chien - Director of Truong Khuong A Fruit Garden Cooperative - shared that the return of the vegetable and fruit industry is creating motivation for members to boost production.
"In addition to pink avocado star apple and blacksmith who have been granted MSVT for export, we are trying to build more MSVT for the cooperative's durian products according to local instructions," said Mr. Chien.
Quality control
From the business perspective, Mr. Nguyen Dinh Muoi - Deputy General Director of Vina T&T Group - highly appreciated the agricultural products of the Mekong Delta and the awareness of farmers in production to help meet demanding markets.
Mr. Muoi said that not only at MSVT, the enterprise is actively supporting cooperatives to implement GlobalGAP certifications. This will be a "golden ticket" affirming the quality and enhancing the value of Vietnamese agricultural products.
We strive to propagate, train and support farmers to achieve GlobalGAP certification. To encourage people, the company also offers higher purchase prices for these certified products, said Mr. Muoi.
According to Vina T&T representative, agricultural products must go through a very strict and comprehensive process of assessment, inspection and supervision from experts. Meeting the standards is a real process that requires investment and effort. However, the biggest problem is the lack of sustainable linkages between businesses (investors in GlobalGAP) and cooperatives/ farmers. Farmers easily "break the deal", sell products to other traders at higher prices (usually seasonal, unsustainable). This may discourage businesses from investing and disrupt the established chain of links.
According to Prof. Dr. Tran Van Hau - former senior lecturer at Can Tho University - whether for export or domestic consumption, agricultural productivity and quality are very important. This requires farmers to master techniques to manage pests, especially in the context of increasingly complex climate change.
