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Many people started organic farming and then gave up when the project ended or ran out of patience with a series of difficulties and challenges…

“Scratches and chips” in organic production

Therefore, 35 delegates received Gold Cups, Silver Cups awarded by the Vietnam Organic Agriculture Association on the 10th anniversary of its founding on November 26 in Hanoi, and thousands of people who could not attend the conference also deserved it, to be honored for being the most resilient “warriors”.

Ms. Hoang Bich Thuy, Head of Organic Vegetable Group in Gua Hamlet, Cu Yen Township, Luong Son District, Hoa Binh Province, said: When she and 6 Muong sisters in the village asked to go to school in 2014, it was not about organic vegetables many people supported by family. “I’m not sure I should do it, so I’m not sure I sold it to anyone. I told you but purposely didn’t listen, if you can do it I’ll go down,” her husband scolded.

During the 3 months she went to school about organic vegetables, husband and wife had a heated argument about this topic for 3 months. However, when organic vegetable products took off, it was Thuy’s husband who carried the goods dozens of kilometers from Luong Son district to Hanoi to import and market them. And for 3 consecutive years he acted as a “hauler” to help the Guava Organic Vegetables group.

Thuy himself is both direct producer and team leader, who takes care of the connection and consumption part, also often has to send such goods, the most difficult thing is during the Covid-19 epidemic, many places have been closed, beams have to go down, before and go back On a trip to carry such vegetables, she broke her arm in a traffic accident, needed stitches, and is still covered in scars. Difficulties in production and consumption have been overcome, Thuy’s group has been stolen from the store 3 more times, the focus of collecting goods, the largest amount is up to VND 60 million.

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Women in Muong costumes from Luong Son district in Hoa Binh province present their organic vegetable products. Picture: Duong Dinh Tuong.

Mr. Hoang Van Hung, Director of Bai Thuong Organic Agriculture Business Service Cooperative (Thanh Xuan Township, Soc Son District, Hanoi City) said: In 2008, the 10-household unit started as a pilot project on the above land area of ​​7,000 m2 there are very few people in society who have the concept of organic vegetables. Although they are also vegetable farmers, not all 10 households believe that vegetables can or cannot survive by not using chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Because they use a lot of medicines and fertilizers, they now only use compost for fertilizer; Use Ginger, Garlic, and Chili to craft Pesticides. During the experiment, the vegetable grew well, and people began to believe and follow him.

They already mass produce veggies so they don’t know how to segment each type of plant for planting, but they do it massively and focus on a few things that make the yield too much, sometimes too much to uproot and to compost. Also in 2008, the place experienced a historic flood that, with so much sweat, effort and hope from the whole group, destroyed the entire vegetable field. In subsequent years, leafy vegetables are still often lost due to outdoor cultivation during the rainy season.

“In the beginning, consumers had no awareness of organic vegetables and didn’t distinguish them from clean vegetables, so it was very difficult to consume. I have to carry a bag of vegetables to any clean grocery store to import and then send the goods to sell. If I can’t sell them the next day, I have to exchange new goods for people. For 5 years, from 2010 to 2015, I drove a motorcycle to transport vegetables from Bai Thuong to downtown every day to import and deliver goods with a distance of 38-42 km depending on the store. Initially, when there are few products, I drive alone, when there are many, 2 cars drive. Although I no longer deliver goods directly now, the co-op still needs to have 3 motorbikes to go around, averaging 2 cars/day, and then take turns every 1 week.

Mr. Hoang Van Hung, Director of Bai Thuong Organic Agriculture Business Service Cooperative (Thanh Xuan Township, Soc Son District, Hanoi) introduced the cooperative's organic vegetable products.  Photo: Duong Dinh Tuong.

Mr. Hoang Van Hung, Director of Bai Thuong Organic Agricultural Business Service Cooperative (Thanh Xuan Township, Soc Son District, Hanoi) introduced the cooperative’s organic vegetable products. Picture: Duong Dinh Tuong.

The story of a shop stealing debt still happens to co-ops from time to time, e.g. B. as they approached Tet, 1.5 months after Tet, the store suddenly disappeared and the phone number was no longer reachable. The attitude of consumers towards organic products is now very different, the products put on the market by the cooperative are not enough to supply them. Currently the cooperative has 7 members and 8,000 m2 of production area, in addition we are also affiliated with 4 PGS organic groups of the village with a total area of ​​3 ha.

In the production, we have to do all the steps manually, the average income of the cooperative members reaches 6 million/month. But the biggest challenge is the lack of manpower, most of the members are old, the young people went to work as laborers, so there is no replacement,” Mr. Hung confided.

According to some organic production groups and groups, the average delivery price of products to shops and supermarkets in Hanoi is only 20-25,000 VND/kg of vegetables and tubers, but when they reach the consumer, they are around 70-90,000 VND/kg. The high price is also the biggest barrier for consumers to access the product and a barrier for manufacturers to expand territory. Therefore, finding ways to knock out the intermediate stage and sell goods to consumers through groups and groups of residential areas is highly recommended. The neighborhood where I live also started buying products directly from the Guava Organic Vegetables group.

Organic producers are no longer alone

Organic farming is mankind’s oldest form of production, but has been supplanted in recent decades by the wave of chemical farming in the “green revolutions” with the benefits of productivity, yield and short-termism. Organic farming was introduced in Vietnam in the 90s of last century, promoted by international organizations, as early as 1991 by CHIPSEE as a project in Nguyen province of Thailand, then ADDA is a 7-year project for 7 provinces in northern provinces.

However, when organic farming projects end, participating farmers often cannot stand on their own if they do not know how to organize production links and in particular find outputs for products while other crops are not supported. Pollution, climate change…

The Vietnam Organic Agriculture Association was established in such a context according to the Decision 1820 of the Ministry of Interior of October 31, 2011. According to Mr. Ha Phuc Mich – Chairman of the Association – this is a common umbrella for individuals, units, cooperatives, cooperatives, enterprises with enthusiasm for organic production and as a bridge between production and consumption under the motto “Shortcut, pioneering, connecting and integrating the Agriculture in the world of bio-industry”.

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Organic vegetable group in Gua hamlet, Cu Yen township, Luong Son district, Hoa Binh province, weeds manually for organically grown vegetables. Picture: Duong Dinh Tuong.

Vietnam currently ranks 5th in Asia and 3rd in ASEAN in terms of total area of ​​organic agricultural production. According to statistics, the number of provinces and cities that have engaged in or converted to organic farming nationwide has increased from 46 provinces in 2018 to 57 provinces in 2021 (currently 62 provinces) to date.

The total area of ​​organic farming land in Vietnam is about 174,351 ha, an increase of 47% compared to 2016; Organizations and individuals engaged in organic agricultural production and business are getting larger, with about 17,174 units of organic agricultural production and processing, with about 555 units; Exporters are 60 companies and importers are 40 companies; The export turnover is about USD 335 million/year, increasing more than 418% of the annual export value of organic products in the period 2010-2016, and is very diverse, including shrimp tea, rice, cashew nuts, pepper, cinnamon, anise, essential oils, spices ….

Over the past 10 years, the Vietnam Organic Agriculture Association has gathered many scientists, experts in the field of agriculture, organic farming, growers … while creating a basis The “extended arm” for the active functioning of the system, effectively too shape and diversify by gradually bringing Vietnam’s organic farming industry to development and international integration. Until now, the units, companies, individuals… producers of organic farming and members of the association have spread all over the country.

The awareness of party committees, local authorities and the population has been raised. Organic products are increasingly trusted and responded to by the social community. Some organic products such as rice, seafood, tea, milk, spices, coconut… have been certified internationally and exported to Europe, America, Japan, Korea markets…

Organic producers are no longer alone through the association, but the road to mass acceptance is still a long and challenging one.

Typical of large-scale organic agricultural production that methodically follows the chain from production to distribution and consumption, such as TH Group, Vinamit, Vinamilk, Guilin, Vinasamex… Every year, the association organizes a booth Vietnam National Organic Products ( Vietnam Organic ) at the largest international organic trade fair (BIOFACH) in Germany.



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