Mr. Pham Van Le (standing), Chairman of the Board, Director of Nhon Nghia Longan Cooperative gave a speech summing up the year 2022. Photo: Le Hoang Vu.
The Nhon Nghia Longan Cooperative in Phong Dien District (Can Tho City) not only applies the production process of longan according to VietGAP standards, but also focuses on the use of organic fertilizers and biological pesticides. Thanks to the reduction in production costs, the profit of the cooperative members is between 200 and 400 million VND/ha/year.
On December 28, Nhon Nghia Longan Cooperative held a conference to review production and business activities in 2022 and set a direction for operations in 2023 related to the value chain and vision to 2025. Can Tho City Local Authorities and Farmers Association is highly appreciated as one of the best and most profitable Longan Cooperatives in Can Tho.
Through the increased use of organic fertilizers and biological pesticides, the cooperative has greatly reduced the amount of chemical fertilizers and medicines, which not only reduces production costs, but also makes an important contribution to ensuring product safety. At the same time a contribution to environmental protection, to protecting the health of farmers and consumers. It is estimated that longan farmers can reduce production costs by more than 20% if production processes are well implemented toward safety and reduction of chemical fertilizers.
The Nhon Nghia Longan Cooperative currently has 29 members with over 22.8 hectares of longan cultivation, of which mainly Ido Longan varieties are produced under VietGAP. Photo: Le Hoang Vu.
Mr. Pham Van Le, Chairman and Director of Nhon Nghia Longan Cooperative, said the cooperative currently has 29 members, with an area of more than 22.8 hectares of longan cultivation, of which Ido longan is mainly grown. This is a longan variety with very good yield and almost no dragon’s broom disease, suitable for year-round fruit distribution.
For more than 2 years, the members of the cooperative have also been producing according to the VietGAP process. However, due to the recent dependence on the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers, the cost of production is still high, especially when the price of many chemical fertilizers has increased several times compared to the previous years.
According to Mr. Pham Van Lo, the average longan yield of the cooperative will reach 20 tons/ha in 2022 with a selling price of VND 15,000-25,000/kg. The cost of fertilizers, pesticides and labor is about VND 100 million/ha. The profit is between 200-400 million VND/ha/crop. In addition, members grew almond trees in Longan Garden and increased their income from VND 30 million to VND 50 million every year.
The cooperative not only applies the longan production process according to VietGAP standards, but also focuses on the use of organic fertilizers and biological pesticides. Photo: Le Hoang Vu.
Also, the cooperative has been organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Phong Dien District and the District Agricultural Extension Station for many years, and transfers science and technology to members of the cooperative who cultivate longan according to VietGAP standards. Currently all members of the cooperative produce Ido labels according to VietGAP standards and understand this process. In addition, the board of the cooperative has linked with quality organic fertilizer and bio-organic drug companies to provide members with input materials for manufacturing according to VietGAP standards. At the same time, the cooperative was also awarded the “Thanh Tri Label” brand by the National Office of Intellectual Property in 2022.
Ms. Tran Thi Kim Thuy, deputy head of Can Tho Plantation and Plant Protection Sub-department said: The entire Can Tho city has a total area of nearly 25,000 hectares of fruit trees, of which nearly 3,000 hectares are planted for a long time. In particular, high chemical fertilizer prices and many inputs to agricultural production have created difficulties for crop production and hurt farmers’ profits.
Nhon Nghia Longan Cooperative was awarded the Thanh Tri Label by the National Office of Intellectual Property in 2022. Photo: Le Hoang Vu.
In order to help farmers reduce production costs, Can Tho City Agriculture Sector is actively coordinating with units and companies to help farmers implement effective models of organic fertilizer and biopesticide use, fertilizer and chemical use reduce medication. This will help produce high quality and safe agricultural products and meet market demand, including Nhon Nghia Longan Cooperative.
Can Tho Agriculture Sector also wishes and encourages farmers to boldly switch from traditional agriculture, which has been using fertilizers and chemical medicines for many years, to using fertilizers and biological medicines in order to strive for sustainable agriculture….