Final article: Innovation for development

“Previous generations have devoted their efforts to building the brand, bringing Binh Phuoc cashew nuts to the Geographical Indication (GI). Subsequent cashew farming businesses and farmers need to further develop the values ​​that the BINH PHUOC cashew nut GI brings. Our company believes in, protects, and promotes this brand,” affirmed Nguyen Hoang Dat, Vice Chairman of the Binh Phuoc Cashew Association and Director of Vinahe Co., Ltd.

We need "leverage" from the mechanism.

The cashew industry's market is developing at an increasingly rapid pace, and the diversification of processed products to meet consumer tastes is an inevitable trend. In fact, businesses have developed dozens of processed cashew products such as cashew milk, roasted cashews seasoned with garlic, chili, honey, wasabi, and garlic chili. However, the products granted the Binh Phuoc cashew geographical indication are only raw cashews, cashew kernels, and roasted salted cashews, failing to keep up with market trends.

Customers carefully research cashew nut brands before deciding to purchase products at Co.opmart Dong Xoai supermarket.

  Furthermore, the issue of personnel responsible for the geographical indication (GI) of Binh Phuoc cashew nuts is currently a matter of concern. On August 29, 2018, the Provincial People's Committee issued Decision No. 2065/QD-UBND on the regulations for managing, using, and controlling the GI of Binh Phuoc cashew nuts. Accordingly, management agencies such as the Department of Science and Technology, the Binh Phuoc Cashew Association, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Department of Industry and Trade, and the People's Committees of districts, towns, and cities are coordinating the management of the GI of Binh Phuoc cashew nuts. However, these agencies are facing difficulties in terms of personnel. The personnel working on GI management at these agencies are already insufficient, frequently changing, and not regularly trained in specialized skills, leading to a lack of coordination, continuity, and succession in the management of the GI of Binh Phuoc cashew nuts.

Maintaining and developing the geographical indication (GI) for Binh Phuoc cashew nuts is a crucial step in building and developing a sustainable brand for the Binh Phuoc cashew industry, contributing to the successful implementation of Resolution No. 11-NQ/TU of the Provincial Party Committee on the development of the Binh Phuoc cashew industry in the period 2020-2025 and the vision to 2030. To support the development of GIs for the province's key products in general and cashew nuts in particular, the Director of the Department of Science and Technology, Bui Thi Minh Thuy, stated: At the workshop "Intellectual Property, Innovation for Sustainable Development" held on June 6th, the department proposed that the Ministry of Science and Technology direct the implementation and consideration of including in some national-level tasks: "Research on legal regulations on GI protection and support for GI registration in China for Binh Phuoc cashew nuts" under the approved Intellectual Property Development Program to 2030; "Promoting and developing the geographical indication for Binh Phuoc cashew nuts" is part of the Intellectual Property Development Program until 2030, to be implemented starting in 2025.

From a business perspective, Mr. Nguyen Hoang Dat, Vice Chairman of the Binh Phuoc Cashew Association and Director of Vinahe Co., Ltd. (Phuoc Long Town), stated: To develop and promote geographical indications (GIs), it is necessary to review and simplify the registration procedures for Binh Phuoc cashew products for individuals and businesses; and to establish regulations for the management, use, and control of Binh Phuoc cashew products, ensuring strictness and scientific rigor. The granting of GIs for cashew products with specialized processing and production, originating from cashew raw material areas in localities already granted GIs, needs to be reconsidered. This is because the raw material areas, households, and cooperatives granted GIs have strictly adhered to regulations and met the standards and requirements regarding nutritional quality, flavor, and nut type.

Currently, cashew trees are facing fierce competition from other crops in the province. To maintain a stable cashew raw material supply in the current situation, farmers hope for policies such as: credit support for cashew growers, linkages and consumption of cashew products; and the wider implementation of the Binh Phuoc Cashew Geographical Indication (GI) to the people.

Developing a sustainable geographical indication for Binh Phuoc cashew nuts.

To promote the value of the Binh Phuoc cashew geographical indication (GI), the Department of Science and Technology has focused on innovation in management, particularly in the area of ​​traceability for cashew products with the BINH PHUOC GI through the application of information technology and other advanced technologies. According to Ms. Bui Thi Minh Thuy, Director of the Department of Science and Technology: To date, eight cashew processing enterprises in the province have been granted the right to use the GI. The department has supported 10 cashew processing and trading enterprises in the province in applying electronic label solutions for product traceability. Of these, seven enterprises have been granted the right to use the BINH PHUOC cashew GI with 349,400 electronic labels, compared to only over 100,000 in 2020. Simultaneously, free login accounts to the VNPT Check software system have been provided to manage the supported label codes. Through customers scanning the traceability labels, businesses gain additional data to analyze consumer usage patterns for cashew products. Simultaneously, the Department of Science and Technology regularly collaborates with relevant units inside and outside the province to support businesses in promoting, marketing, and developing brands for products bearing geographical indications.

Mr. Duong Van Sinh, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Van Sinh Long Investment Group (standing in the middle), learns about advanced cashew processing at Ha My Joint Stock Company (Dong Phu district) and is very confident in the product that has been granted the Binh Phuoc cashew geographical indication certification.

Regarding innovation activities for the development of geographical indications, the province has already developed an artificial intelligence (AI) application for identifying Binh Phuoc cashew nuts, opening up a new research direction for applying AI to trace the origin of Binh Phuoc cashew nuts.

To promote the geographical indication (GI) of Binh Phuoc cashew nuts, the development and implementation of the GI management system should be linked to the registration of planting area codes, food safety, quality certification, and authentication and traceability of protected products. GI exploitation and development should be guided by cooperation and production linkages connected to the consumption of protected products along the value chain. Maintaining, managing, and developing the quality of the province's native cashew varieties is crucial. Strengthening the application of technology in managing and controlling the origin and quality of GI-bearing products is essential. Investing in research and application of scientific and technological advancements in all stages of the production chain is necessary to create high-value products derived from Binh Phuoc cashew nuts bearing the GI. Enhancing the capacity of the Binh Phuoc Cashew Association and its branches and production cooperatives to participate in the control and management of GI-protected products is also necessary. Furthermore, strengthening post-licensing inspections by relevant authorities after granting the right to use the GI is crucial.

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/bai-cuoi-doi-moi-sang-tao-de-phat-trien-3317301.html