Leading enterprise applying IPHM for onion and garlic warehouse, aiming for export

HAI PHONG The garlic and onion growing area in Hai Phong is shifting from traditional cultivation to sustainable production, meeting export requirements with the leadership of businesses.

For many years, onion and garlic farmers in Nam An Phu commune ( Hai Phong city) have relied mainly on experience, considering productivity as their top concern. However, output depends heavily on traders, causing farmers to often fall into a vicious cycle of good harvest and low prices. Only when agricultural products are congested and prices drop sharply, do onion growers really look back at the market story.

Mr. Bui Kien Cuong, Director of Vang Agricultural Investment Joint Stock Company. Photo: Quang Dung .

According to Mr. Bui Kien Cuong, Director of the Golden Agricultural Investment Joint Stock Company (Golden Agricultural Company), the thinking of agricultural production must change in the context of integration. “Foreign partners do not ask about productivity first. What they care about is whether the product is safe or not,” he emphasized. To have a convincing answer, the field must operate according to a strict technical process, from soil, seeds, fertilizers, pesticides to field diaries.

For export production, the growing area must be at least 10 hectares and have a growing area code. Along with the code is a complete "file" on soil quality, materials used, seed sources and the entire technical process. "I cannot say I am doing organic when using fresh, untreated chicken manure. The EU market even requires certified organic fertilizers," Mr. Cuong analyzed.

The final step is agricultural product testing. Before entering the distribution or export system, onion and garlic samples must be tested for pesticide residues. Mr. Cuong predicts that in the next few years, even the domestic market will tighten this criterion.

The idea of ​​building a closed process was nurtured by Vang Agriculture Company since 2019. After many trial seasons, by the period 2023 - 2024, a standard process has been clearly defined. From 2024 - 2025, the model began to be expanded in many communes of Kinh Mon town (old) and received positive response from farmers.

In 2025, Vang Agriculture Company will cooperate with the People's Committee of Nam An Phu commune to build a winter onion production model applying the integrated plant health management (IPHM) process with an area of ​​nearly 4.5 hectares. Photo: Quang Dung.

According to Mr. Cuong, the key factor is that the new process does not increase investment costs, and is even more economical, while productivity remains stable and the land is restored. The porosity, moisture retention and nutrient retention are also significantly improved, helping to limit pests and reduce dependence on pesticides. “People only believe when they see the fields next door are better. Words cannot convince them,” Mr. Cuong shared.

From the pilot models, in 2025, Vang Agriculture Company coordinated with the People's Committee of Nam An Phu commune to build an onion production model applying integrated plant health management (IPHM) with an area of ​​nearly 4.5 hectares, providing all fertilizers, pesticides and assigning technical staff to stay on the fields. All stages are strictly managed, not allowing the use of materials not listed. The company also took soil samples at the beginning and end of the season to compare residues and soil quality.

“Once the model proves effective, the next goal is to replicate it across the entire onion growing area of ​​about 3,700 to 4,000 hectares. If the quality of agricultural products is consistent and the selling price increases by 10-20%, the added value for farmers will be huge. The world market always needs onions. The question is not whether it can be sold or not, but whether our products meet the standards,” said Mr. Cuong.

For the change to be sustainable, Mr. Bui Kien Cuong believes that there must be four parties involved. Accordingly, the government supports farmers, scientists perfect the process, businesses provide quality materials and finally farmers - the ones who make the decisions on their own fields.

“It is difficult to go it alone. When all parties work together, people will boldly change so that onions, garlic in particular and agricultural products in general can not only feed their families but also have the strength to enter the international market,” Mr. Cuong hopes.

Source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/doanh-nghiep-dan-dat-ap-dung-iphm-cho-vua-hanh-toi-huong-toi-xuat-khau-d787517.html