Bac Ninh controls the quality of agricultural products from the source.

BAC NINH - Ensuring the quality of agricultural products throughout the food safety supply chain at the farming facility is a crucial task that not only protects consumer health but also contributes to enhancing the value and reputation of agricultural products, while promoting clean and sustainable agriculture.

The agricultural sector in Bac Ninh province has actively implemented many solutions to improve the quality of agricultural products at the farming level.

Mr. Bui Van Quyen's family in Chay village, Luc Ngan commune, cultivates 1.5 hectares of lychee trees according to VietGAP standards, yielding 20-22 tons per season. The lychees are exported to the US, Thailand, and China, and sold in supermarkets and organic food stores domestically.

Officials from the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection took lychee samples from Mr. Ly Van Tri's household in Chay village, Luc Ngan commune, to test for chemical residues.

To meet export standards, his family applies a pest control and cultivation process that prioritizes the use of organic fertilizers and minimizes the use of chemical fertilizers.

Furthermore, his family also applies integrated pest management (IPM) when using pesticides; they always adhere to the "four correct principles," including mandatory pre-harvest quarantine periods to ensure no pesticide residue remains on the product. The entire process of caring for and controlling pests in lychee trees is documented through an electronic logbook for traceability purposes.

In 2017, Mr. Bui Xuan Que, residing in Huong Trien village, Nhan Thang commune, accumulated over 3 hectares of land from local households to invest in a clean agriculture model. Currently, his family owns 7,000 ^{m² of} greenhouses for growing baby cucumbers using high-tech methods, and over 2 hectares for growing vegetables and fruit trees.

Mr. Que said: "Recognizing the increasing demand for clean food among the people, I decided to start a business growing clean vegetables to supply supermarkets and clean food stores inside and outside the province."

All of Mr. Que's family's agricultural products are produced according to VietGAP standards. The processes of planting and caring for the cucumbers are strictly managed, using fertilizers derived from biological products... In 2023, his family's baby cucumbers received provincial-level OCOP certification and are sold in supermarkets and organic food stores, gradually gaining a foothold in the market.

Every year, the entire province plants more than 220,000 hectares of various crops, including nearly 160,000 hectares of rice, 70,000 hectares of vegetables (mainly vegetables, corn, sweet potatoes, and potatoes), and about 54,000 hectares of fruit trees (mainly lychees, citrus fruits, longan, custard apple, guava, and pineapple...).

Currently, large-scale concentrated production areas have been established in the province, including 479 digitized production areas for key and distinctive agricultural products; and 4 products have been registered and granted protection certificates abroad.

The agricultural sector is currently managing 315 export-oriented growing area codes covering 18,500 hectares; nearly 3,000 establishments have applied scientific and technological advancements and high technology to production, of which 50 establishments with a total area of ​​4,255 hectares have been certified VietGAP, GlobalGAP, and organic.

Large-scale concentrated production areas have been established in the province, including 479 digitized production areas for key and distinctive agricultural products; 4 products have been registered and granted protection certificates abroad. The agricultural sector is managing 315 export-oriented planting area codes covering 18,500 hectares; nearly 3,000 establishments have applied scientific and technological advancements and high technology to production, of which 50 establishments with a total area of ​​4,255 hectares have been certified VietGAP, GlobalGAP, and organic.

According to Mr. Nguyen Hong Quang, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment, in recent times, the management of product quality along the supply chain at agricultural establishments has gradually achieved positive results through the dissemination of information and raising awareness of compliance with the law among agricultural, forestry, and aquatic product production and business establishments. Several safe food, agricultural, and forestry product supply chains have been established in the province.

However, violations of food safety and quality standards in agricultural establishments remain a complex issue. This is due to the fact that many establishments operate without business registration, production is fragmented, and complete supply chains are not formed.

Most producers lack sufficient knowledge about ensuring food safety and quality. During the production, processing, and preservation of agricultural products, despite warnings from relevant authorities, the misuse of chemicals, pesticides, fertilizers, and growth stimulants persists.

To address the above issues and enhance the competitiveness of agricultural products, relevant agencies need to actively coordinate with localities to manage food from the source and mobilize the community to participate in management, inspection, and supervision, encouraging the development of production models that meet advanced standards.

Coordinate the organization of training courses, propaganda, and recommendations to producers to avoid using banned substances, preservatives, food additives, and pesticides outside the permitted list. Businesses, cooperatives, and production groups need to play a role in linking with farmers and consolidating land to create large-scale, high-quality product chains for the market.

Building and developing agricultural models based on value chains to manage food safety and quality is a suitable direction, meeting the increasingly high demands of the market, thereby creating sustainable outlets and improving product quality.

Text and photos: Nguyen Tuan

Source: https://baobacninhtv.vn/bac-ninh-kiem-soat-chat-luong-nong-san-tu-goc-postid445888.bbg