Achieving GlobalGAP certification is a step forward.

Increased market demand has prompted My Tan Cooperative to perfect its farming process according to GlobalGAP standards to improve the quality of agricultural products and open up export opportunities.

Model production area

Following administrative boundary adjustments, some previously agricultural areas belonging to Luong Son district (formerly Hoa Binh province ) were transferred to Phu Tho province, creating significant changes in production area planning. In this context, My Tan Agricultural Cooperative continues to maintain and expand its organic production methods, applying GlobalGAP standards to orient itself towards export.

From a cooperative with over 20 members, the cooperative now has 65 members, managing approximately 129 hectares. The land structure includes 68 hectares of Dien pomelo (the main product for export), 13 hectares of super-sweet Taiwanese pear guava, over 40 hectares of tea, and a portion of land for medicinal plants.

Over the years, the cooperative has successfully obtained VietGAP, organic, and OCOP 3-star certifications for its three main products. In particular, the GlobalGAP certification helps the cooperative meet 954 criteria for safe production – a crucial condition for accessing demanding markets such as the EU and the US.

Mr. Do Quoc Huong, Director of My Tan Agricultural Cooperative, stands beside his grapefruit orchard during harvest season. Photo: Hong Ngoc.

According to Mr. Do Quoc Huong, Director of the Cooperative, maintaining GlobalGAP "is not only a market requirement, but also a way to standardize production, from input materials to farming techniques and traceability."

Before expanding exports, the cooperative focused on building the domestic market through high-standard distribution systems such as Big C, Soi Bien, Bac Tom, Hungry, the Government Office kitchen, and 46 clean fruit stores in Hanoi. Several provinces such as Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, and Bac Ninh also maintained stable consumption levels.

The early-harvested pomelos are sorted and cleaned at the cooperative's processing area before being sent to market. Photo: Hong Ngoc.

In its export activities, the cooperative maintains its market in the European Union, while expanding to the United States, Japan, and South Korea in the last two years.

Once the capital and legal issues are resolved, the raw material supply area will become more stable, creating momentum for the standardized model to access markets more deeply.

These markets have strict requirements regarding sugar content (minimum 12° Brix), cleanliness, minimal black spots on the shell, and uniform size (from 0.8 to 1 kg depending on the market). Customers usually send detailed specifications so that the cooperative can sort them according to their requirements.

Production process adheres to international standards.

In the crop cultivation process, a notable technique is nutrient management using potassium fertilizer. Instead of common potassium chloride, the cooperative only uses potassium sulfate (white potassium) imported from the USA, Germany, Israel, and Belgium to ensure a pleasant sweetness, reduce bitterness, and meet the requirements of high-end markets.

The Dien pomelo orchard yields a stable harvest thanks to a cultivation process that adheres to GlobalGAP standards and organic farming practices. Photo: Hong Ngoc.

A fully automated irrigation system is installed, allowing for precise control of moisture and nutrients at each stage. A portion of the area is sprayed with pesticides using drones, while the rest is sprayed manually using only organic pesticides to minimize chemical residue. For tea, the roasting, drying, and vacuum packaging processes are powered by electricity to ensure hygiene and traceability.

Tea plants are intercropped with pomelo trees to make the most of the land and create a sustainable farming ecosystem. Photo: Hong Ngoc.

Regarding pest control techniques, Mr. Huong said that pesticides should be sprayed "in a fine mist, not a spray that blows across the surface," focusing on the underside of the foliage where pests and diseases exist. This method minimizes pesticide washout, reduces costs, prevents pest resistance, and ensures the safety of gardeners.

Certificates of merit and certifications for safe and organic production achieved by My Tan Agricultural Cooperative. Photo: Hong Ngoc.

Although the model shows great promise, the cooperative's journey to expand its raw material area still faces obstacles that are difficult to overcome on its own. Pomelo is a perennial crop, and many households lack the capital to maintain care and expand production scale. In addition, legal issues regarding land after boundary adjustments have prevented some households from completing their paperwork.

Source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/dat-chuan-globalgap-de-buoc-xa-d786076.html