Standardizing durian production to achieve export quality

In recent years, the area of ​​durian in Can Tho City and many provinces in the Mekong Delta has continuously increased. This has been putting a lot of pressure on consumption, especially when consumers increasingly demand high quality products. To stabilize output and expand the consumption market with good prices, durian farmers are required to standardize production according to quality standards and safe production to meet the requirements of export markets.

Urgent requirement

Currently, Can Tho City has a durian growing area of ​​over 14,504 hectares, of which 7,301 hectares are bearing fruit, with an output of about 95,000 tons/year. Durian grown in Can Tho City and the Mekong Delta provinces has become a key fruit crop, thanks to its high economic efficiency. In particular, since the Chinese market opened its doors to officially import Vietnamese durian, export turnover has grown rapidly.

However, opportunities always come with challenges, especially when the Chinese market and international markets are increasingly demanding on quality, plant quarantine and food safety. Many countries such as China, the US, Australia, Japan, Korea... have regulations requiring fresh fruits from other countries that want to export to these markets to be granted a growing area code and a packing facility code. Currently, farmers' fruits, when wanting to be sold in supermarkets, convenience stores, e-commerce platforms... must also have a product safety certificate, meet good agricultural practice standards (such as VietGAP, Global GAP) and have a traceability code.

In recent years, with the support of the authorities, farmers in Can Tho City have promptly standardized production, built durian growing areas with growing area codes and met standards and quality requirements for export. However, there are still many durian growing areas without growing area codes, especially newly planted areas. Many farmers have not yet grasped the techniques and cultivation processes for durian trees to yield good fruit quality and meet export standards.

Faced with this reality, farmers need to pay attention to understanding market information and promptly standardizing durian production to achieve export quality to ensure output and improve economic efficiency for the garden. According to the Department of Cultivation and Plant Protection under the Department of Agriculture and Environment (DARD) of Can Tho City, the city currently has only 90 growing area codes granted for durian, with a total area of ​​over 1,900 hectares and 2,227 households participating in the growing area.

Harvesting durian at a household in Nhon Ai commune, Can Tho city.

Need for synchronized solutions

At the workshop "Solutions for developing durian industry to achieve export quality", organized by Can Tho Farmers' Association in collaboration with the School of Agriculture (Can Tho University), managers and experts provided orientations in sustainable production and consumption of products. At the same time, they disseminated and guided farmers to synchronously implement many solutions to produce durian that meets standards and quality to meet export requirements.

According to Mr. Huynh Thanh Vui, Deputy Head of the Department of Cultivation and Plant Protection, it is necessary to organize durian production according to the orientation of scale and area and minimize spontaneous development. Farmers and related parties must monitor and grasp information about the market, season, output of the growing area, and purchasing enterprises. Managing the growing area must ensure compliance with regulations, procedures and meet the requirements of the import market. The authorities must step up inspection and supervision of growing areas and packaging facilities to control the quality of exported durian right from the input and cultivation stages to promptly detect and handle violations.

Many opinions say that the functional sector needs to pay attention to improving the capacity of cooperatives, cooperative groups and partners participating in developing durian value chain linkages. Mr. Nguyen Van Su, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Can Tho City, Chairman of the Can Tho Farmers' Association, said: "Opportunities only really open up when we fully and strictly comply with regulations and standards from partner markets. We must do a good job of reorganizing production, associated with standardizing durian production processes. We must build growing area codes, packaging facility codes, and traceability to ensure product quality management from the root. We must be aware of creating and maintaining the image of a transparent and responsible agriculture towards consumers."

According to Mr. Vo Thanh Tam Phuc, Head of Market Development Department, Center for Quality, Processing and Market Development Region 6 (Department of Quality, Processing and Market Development, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment), it is necessary to build a quality management system, traceability, apply GAP, and record production logs. Cooperate in cooperatives with an area of ​​over 10 hectares to register the growing area code. Farmers need to strictly follow the recommendations of the functional sector in using fertilizers and input materials and controlling the Cadmium content in the soil...

Speaking at the workshop "Solutions to develop durian industry to achieve export quality", Ms. Ho Thi Cam Dao, Deputy Secretary of the City Party Committee, Chairwoman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Can Tho City, emphasized: "We must act together in a synchronous and drastic manner to build a sustainable durian industry, improve the quality, reputation and brand of Can Tho durian in particular and of Vietnam in general in the international market. Thereby, contributing to improving people's lives, contributing to the city's socio-economic development".

Ms. Ho Thi Cam Dao suggested that departments, branches and sectors of Can Tho City be proactive and closely coordinate, specifying solutions to support farmers in the production of durian in particular and agricultural products in general. In particular, Can Tho Farmers' Association needs to continue to promote its core role in propagating and mobilizing farmers to change their farming practices and boldly apply scientific and technical advances. Build and replicate models of safe, organic durian production that meet export standards; organize many training courses and farmer-scientist forums so that farmers can gain more knowledge and practical experience. Not only stopping at durian, it is necessary to expand to other crops. The Department of Agriculture and Environment needs to closely coordinate with institutes and schools to soon have specific, easy-to-apply technical instructions so that farmers can practice immediately in production. Strengthen inspection and supervision of growing areas, ensure transparent traceability, and meet the requirements of import markets.

Article and photos: KHANH TRUNG

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/chuan-hoa-san-xuat-sau-rieng-de-dat-chat-luong-xuat-khau-a190350.html