Durian “Passport” – Elevating agricultural products

Farmers harvest durian

Expanding export routes

Bau Don Commune, Go Dau District is considered the durian growing capital of Tay Ninh , with an area of up to 1,500 hectares. To increase the value of agricultural products and stabilize output, many farmers have proactively changed production methods, ensuring product quality and food safety. To date, many gardens have been granted growing area codes for export to the Chinese market.

For example, Bau Don Fruit Cooperative has more than 40 hectares of durian. Since 2021, members of the Cooperative have been producing according to VietGAP standards, and have registered growing areas and QR codes for durian brands. To date, Bau Don Fruit Cooperative has been granted 3 growing area codes for export to the Chinese market and is aiming to export to the European market.

Ms. Pham Thi Nga, residing in Hamlet 1, Bau Don Commune, a member of Bau Don Fruit Cooperative, said: Not only is it delicious and clean, but thanks to good care and effective application of techniques, durian gardens all produce fruits that meet requirements, are of uniform size, and have quality that is not inferior to any other place. In the 2023 durian crop, the product is recognized as an OCOP product and has a growing area code, the selling price is quite stable from 60,000 - 70,000 VND/kg.

In Truong Mit Commune, Duong Minh Chau District, there are also more than 200 hectares of durian trees, of which 27 hectares of 22 households have been granted growing area codes for export to the Chinese market. By strictly applying the cultivation process, carefully recording from when the tree flowers, releases pistils, ties and marks... farmers hope that this year's durian crop will sell at a high price and have a stable output.

Mr. Nguyen Tien Dung - Chairman of the Farmers' Association of Truong Mit Commune affirmed: "With durian gardens that have been granted a growing area code, the consumption of the product will be stable. Because there is a source of origin, a unit committed to purchasing, and the price is guaranteed to be stable throughout the harvest process of the gardeners".

Farmers harvest durian

Need to strictly manage export "passports"

According to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD), by March 2024, the province had granted 51 codes for fruit growing areas for export with a total area of over 1,200 hectares. Of these, 19 codes have been approved by importing countries for export on the following fruits: banana, jackfruit, mango, longan, durian, seedless lemon; 32 codes for growing areas are awaiting approval by importing countries. The province also has 5 facilities granted export codes, of which 4 codes have been approved by the importing country (China).

In fact, strict management of fruit growing area codes in general and durian in particular is currently a top priority to ensure sustainable exports. For many years, Tay Ninh durian has been mainly distributed and consumed in the domestic market. Expanding the official export market is a good opportunity for Tay Ninh durian in particular and the whole country in general. The establishment of growing area codes and packaging facilities aims to produce safe, quality products for export and the domestic market.

Mr. Phan Hoai Thinh - Director of Bau Don Fruit Cooperative said that the Cooperative has established 3 growing area codes. After being granted the codes, the Cooperative strictly manages the production process, records, limits the use of pesticides, improves product quality, and meets export standards.

Aiming at the goal of sustainable agricultural development, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has recently actively guided and supported farmers and agricultural cooperatives in building growing area codes. This solution not only helps farmers improve production efficiency but also contributes to expanding the consumption market for local agricultural products.

Durian in Truong Mit commune is granted a growing area code.

Mr. Nguyen Dinh Xuan - Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development said: "We have granted at least 2 processing and packaging facilities and dozens of codes to individuals and cooperatives growing durian and other fruit trees. In the near future, we will continue to promote and facilitate procedures so that people can quickly obtain growing area codes and be recognized by partners. On the other hand, we will increase inspections to ensure that those who are granted codes must comply with the regulations of the State as well as those of partners."

It can be affirmed that granting growing area codes for durian trees not only meets the traceability requirements of import markets, but also contributes to raising people's awareness, towards transparent and responsible agriculture.

Vu Nguyet

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