Overcoming obstacles to producing safe vegetables.

With the goal of protecting consumer health and enhancing the value of agricultural products, safe vegetable production models have emerged and achieved certain results. However, due to various factors, safe vegetables have not yet conquered the market and require support from all levels and sectors to develop as expected.

Output difficulties

Once a model for safe vegetable production, the Vinh My Safe Vegetable Production Cooperative in Chau Doc ward has attracted over 90 members and cultivates approximately 14.4 hectares. Their diverse vegetable products include: scallions, chives, chrysanthemum greens, mustard greens, and sweet cabbage. Members of the cooperative actively apply science and technology, investing in greenhouses to ensure safe farming practices, control pests and diseases, and supply the market with standard-compliant products.

It is necessary to establish specialized areas for safe vegetable cultivation according to planning. Photo: GIA KHÁNH

Mr. Tran Van Hoai, Deputy Head of the Vinh My Safe Vegetable Production Cooperative, said: “Members of the cooperative ensure technical standards regarding clean soil sources, use organic fertilizers, do not use pesticides outside the permitted list, and ensure the correct pesticide withdrawal period before selling to the market. When adhering to the process, farmers still earn an average profit of about 35 million VND/hectare/year.”

Safe vegetables require strict cultivation processes, while the market price is not much higher than traditionally grown vegetables, so it doesn't really attract farmers. "When buying vegetables, people usually choose the most visually appealing bunch, while safe vegetables can't compare. However, I remain steadfast in my goal of growing safe vegetables because it's a way to protect consumer health. This is also a story related to the mindset and ethics of farmers, because every single vegetable we produce directly affects the health of others," Mr. Hoai explained.

According to Mr. Hoai, the cooperative used to purchase vegetables from its members, package them properly, and distribute them to Co.opmart Chau Doc or Phan Nam Trading and Service Company Limited in Long Xuyen ward. However, this practice did not last long, causing continued difficulties in selling safe vegetables.

"Currently, the cooperative has ceased operations, but I still maintain the practice of growing safe vegetables. Growing vegetables this way isn't difficult; finding a stable market is the challenge. If we can secure a stable market, I will continue to encourage members of the cooperative to return to growing safe vegetables," Mr. Hoai said.

The case of the Vinh My Safe Vegetable Production Cooperative is not unique; many farmers cultivating fields in Binh My commune, My Duc district, have also participated in safe vegetable production. Their common understanding is the need for a stable market with appropriate purchase prices, because the effort put in by growers adhering to safe vegetable cultivation procedures is more arduous than that of conventionally grown vegetables.

A solution is needed.

Following the implementation of the two-tiered local government model, many localities are reorienting their development towards safe vegetable production areas. According to Huynh Tan Hung, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Binh My commune, the locality was previously planned by the provincial agricultural sector to develop a specialized vegetable farming area of ​​over 500 hectares in Binh Thuy islet.

Mr. Tran Van Hoai tends to his vegetable garden. Photo: THANH TIEN

“Currently, we are expanding the area for safe vegetable cultivation in the locality, focusing on providing technical guidance to farmers while simultaneously connecting them with markets, so that they can confidently grow vegetables. The province has a large geographical area, including coastal and island regions, making the consumption of vegetables easier. Initially, we will mobilize members of the Loi Phat Agricultural Cooperative to be the core force in developing safe vegetable production, as farmers already have the foundation for collaboration and technical support in production,” Mr. Huynh Tan Hung informed.

To capitalize on the advantages of vegetable cultivation, in 2024, the Department of Agriculture and Environment issued a plan to develop specialized production areas and promote the consumption of vegetables and high-tech vegetables in the province. The plan aims to reorganize vegetable production towards advanced, modern, and sustainable methods; develop new and improve the quality of cooperatives and associations producing safe vegetables, creating conditions to promote the development of the cooperative economy.

According to Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment Tran Thanh Hiep, before the merger, the agricultural sector in An Giang province had planned six product groups for the development of high-tech safe vegetable production, including leafy vegetables, fruit vegetables, root vegetables, various types of corn, peanuts, and sweet potatoes, covering an area of ​​over 5,788 hectares. This served as the basis for the agricultural sector to revive specialized areas for high-tech safe vegetable production, with planting area codes granted for export purposes.

Regarding solutions, the Department of Agriculture and Environment will issue planting area codes for specialized vegetable and fruit growing areas, prioritizing those for cooperatives, associations, and businesses; and will intensify propaganda, training, and support for farmers in preparing applications for domestic and export planting area codes. At the same time, it will promote production linkages with consumption along the value chain in concentrated specialized vegetable and fruit growing areas with reputable businesses, so that farmers can confidently grow safe vegetables for public health.

THANH TIEN

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/go-kho-cho-rau-an-toan-a466667.html