Project 'Highland specialties': Spreading the value of agricultural products, sharing with the community

Bringing the quintessence of the mountains closer to urban consumers

Launched within the framework of the Conference “Emergency food model adapting to Climate Change”, the Community project “Highland specialties” initiated by the Vietnam Food Bank Network in collaboration with the Autumn Volunteer Group and Friends has recently attracted the attention of many agencies, organizations and businesses.

*Launching the Community project "Highland specialties" (Photo: Organizing Committee)*

The project aims at the dual goal of both building a sustainable value chain for the consumption of mountain specialties and arousing the pride and self-reliance of ethnic minority communities. Typical products of the northern mountainous provinces such as ancient Shan Tuyet tea, Seng Cu rice, Moc Chau wild honey, and Dien Bien smoked buffalo meat are carefully selected, ensuring safe and environmentally friendly production processes, then brought to urban consumers through modern commercial channels.

Not just pure products, each specialty also carries the story of culture, the working spirit and the aspiration to rise of the people in the highlands. The representative of the Organizing Committee shared: "We want buyers to not only feel the typical flavor of the mountains and forests, but also understand that in each product is the effort and heart of the people in the highlands sent to the plains."

In the near future, the project will build an e-commerce platform called dacsanvungcao.vn, where local products are introduced and sold directly to consumers. The application of digital technology is considered the key to shortening geographical distances, creating conditions for highland people's products to reach further, accessing modern retail chains and international trade channels.

The special feature of the “Highland Specialties” project lies in the philosophy of sustainable development: each order not only has commercial value but also contributes to nurturing the community. Accordingly, 5-10% of the revenue from product sales will be allocated to the “Meals for Children in the Highlands” fund to support scholarships, improve nutrition and build livelihood models for ethnic minorities.

The project shapes a “green - social security - community value circle”, producing locally in an environmentally friendly way; consuming in urban areas through a modern distribution system; reinvesting in producers through social activities and technical support.

A cooperative in Son La province shared that the mountainous region has many valuable products but market access still has many barriers due to limitations in infrastructure, logistics and branding. With this project, the products of the people will be identified by quality, told through cultural stories and spread through the spirit of sharing.

*Your products will be identified by quality and told through cultural stories.*

According to the executive board, the "Highland Specialties" project will cooperate with cooperatives and farmer groups to improve production skills, guide standardization and traceability processes, and build product images with distinct regional identities.

Challenges and prospects

From a market development perspective, “Highland Specialties” is a strategic linkage model. In the context of Vietnam promoting domestic consumption, green transformation and strengthening rural-urban connectivity, this project becomes an important bridge to help local agricultural products get closer to consumers, while creating more jobs and stable income for ethnic minorities.

However, the project also faces many challenges. Ensuring quality, controlling the origin of raw materials, and standardizing the production process of highland farmers requires time and coordinated efforts. At the same time, conveying cultural values into commercial products in a way that is authentic and attractive without falling into stereotypes requires creative thinking and a deep understanding of the locality.

However, if these barriers are overcome, “Highland specialties” can completely become a model for green agricultural development and sustainable consumption, contributing to realizing the economic goals for the community and development for people.

The “Highland Specialties” Community Project not only has economic significance but also a deeply humane story about the connection between the plains and the mountains, between producers and consumers, between culture and the market. When urban consumers choose to buy a highland product, they are not only choosing the taste of nature, but also joining hands to sow the seeds of a sustainable livelihood, a circle of sharing and spreading love.

Source: https://congthuong.vn/du-an-dac-san-vung-cao-lan-toa-gia-tri-nong-san-se-chia-cong-dong-429861.html