Instructions for quick and complete registration of growing area codes

In the context of increasing emphasis on quality management, identification and control of origin, growing area codes play an increasingly important role for businesses, cooperatives and farmers.

What is the growing area code?

The importance of growing area codes

Ensuring food safety and traceability

Authorities can easily monitor quality and check compliance with food safety standards for growing areas. Helping consumers and international partners easily trace the origin of products.

Affirmation of belief

Possessing a growing area code helps build trust with customers and partners, especially in markets with strict requirements such as the EU, US, Japan...

Expanding agricultural export markets

Many countries require imported agricultural products to have a growing area code. Therefore, having a growing area code is a prerequisite for Vietnamese agricultural products to penetrate international markets.

Sustainable agricultural management and development

Growing area codes also help management agencies monitor, supervise and support sustainable agricultural development.

The importance of growing area codes

What does a business need to do to get a growing area code?

To be granted a growing area code, businesses need to perform the following steps:

1. Ensure standard production process

Businesses need to comply with food safety standards, use the right pesticides, fertilizers and environmentally friendly farming methods. Ensure product quality and safety when harvesting.

2. Registration and document preparation

Enterprises need to submit an application for a growing area code and prepare the necessary documents: growing area information, farming methods, food safety control measures, etc.

3. Conduct internal audits

Before formal registration, businesses should conduct internal audits of their production processes to ensure that all food safety and quality requirements are met.

4. Comply with monitoring and maintenance procedures

Once a growing area code is issued, the business must commit to maintaining safety and quality procedures in accordance with standards. The authorities will monitor regularly and may revoke the code if regulations are not followed.

What should businesses do?

Q-CERT's growing area code registration process

Step 1: Prepare and complete documents

Receive customer information and prepare documents, including:

• Technical declaration requesting a planting area code according to the form in Appendix A of basic standard 774:2020/BVTV (Attached with a list of farming households and planting area)

• VietGAP certificate for growing areas applying for code (if any)

• Production log

• Committed to complying with basic standards

Step 2: Submit application and work with competent authority

• Q-CERT submits documents on behalf of the enterprise and works with the Provincial Department of Cultivation and Plant Protection.

• Check and survey the planting area

• Guide businesses to fix as required

• Track and update application processing progress

• On behalf of the business, work with the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection to update progress.

Step 3: Deliver results

After inspection and survey, if the growing area fully meets all technical criteria, a code will be issued. In case the growing area does not fully meet the standards, instructions will be given to complete the missing requirements and continue to register for a code.

Update results and hand over codes and documents to businesses.