Towards organic agriculture

11:03, August 14, 2023

BHG - According to statistics from the Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) and the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM), in 2000, the world organic product market only reached 18 billion USD, by 2018 the revenue had exceeded 100 billion USD; in 2021 it increased sharply to 188 billion USD, and in 2022 it is estimated to reach 208 billion USD. In 2020, IFOAM announced that the area of organic agriculture (AOA) in Vietnam was about 237,693 hectares; the whole country has 46/63 provinces and cities implementing AOA production with the participation of over 17,000 farmers, 97 production enterprises, 60 export enterprises with a total turnover of about 335 million USD/year. Vietnam's AOA products are consumed domestically and exported to 180 countries around the world. The potential and room for development of organic agriculture is still very open.

The area of ancient Shan Tuyet tea in Cao Bo commune (Vi Xuyen) has been organically produced since 2011.

According to the forecast of (FiBL) and (IFOAM), (NNHC) is an inevitable trend in the future. As a border province adjacent to China, the terrain, land, and climate conditions are diverse and distinct, with many unique agricultural products; there are many State policies prioritizing investment... which are good opportunities and foundations for our province to develop NNHC production.

In fact, from 2011 to 2015, our province has deployed organic tea production on Shan Tuyet tea trees with the support of IFOAM in the communes of Cao Bo (Vi Xuyen), Tien Yen (Quang Binh), Ta Su Choong, Ho Thau (Hoang Su Phi). The total area of organic tea production is 1,609.5 hectares. Implementing the Project on Restructuring the Agricultural Sector and Plan No. 219 of the Provincial People's Committee on developing tea areas according to "GAP" standards for the period 2016 - 2020, the whole province has deployed and certified 4,975.25 hectares. Accumulated from 2011-2020, the whole province has 6,798.75 hectares of tea (100% Shan Tuyet tea) / 6,928 farming households and 25 tea processing enterprises) applying international and Vietnamese organic standards. There are 5/11 districts and cities participating in the development of organic tea production (Hoang Su Phi, Xin Man, Quang Binh, Bac Quang, Vi Xuyen). Tea output according to GAP standards by the end of 2020 is estimated at over 48,000 tons, with an estimated value of 582 billion VND. Of which, organic tea output is over 21,000 tons, with an average selling price 4-5 times higher than the price of fresh tea buds produced in conventional production. The average value of fresh tea buds certified by GAP is about 55 - 70 million VND/ha, higher than the average value of fresh tea buds produced in conventional production by 15 - 30 million VND/ha.

With the characteristics of a province located in the tropical monsoon climate zone, but with the characteristics of a subtropical climate, long cold winters, many natural forests and mountains, mainly extensive farming, not affected or polluted by the use of chemicals in production, it is very suitable for organic farming and livestock farming. The province's agricultural products are assessed to be of good quality, fragrant, delicious, and clean. Up to now, the whole province has 8 products granted geographical indication certificates, including: Shan Tuyet tea, Mint honey, Sanh oranges, Bo Vang, Gia Dui rice, seedless Hong, Cardamom, Bong fish. In addition, the province has many endemic products such as medicinal herbs, temperate fruit trees, local pigs and chickens, etc. that can become large commodities, meeting market demand.

Highland Golden Cow is one of the organically grown products.

In the period of 2010 - 2020, our province has achieved remarkable achievements in agricultural production: The average growth rate of agricultural - forestry - fishery production value reached 5.59%/year, of which agriculture reached 5.32%/year (cultivation 4.37%, livestock 8.11%/year). The agricultural structure has shifted in a positive direction, the proportion of livestock has increased from 22.34% to 35.76%. Agricultural production has gradually developed in the direction of commodity production, some key agricultural products have been certified for food safety quality, building brands in the domestic market such as Shan Tuyet tea, Sanh oranges and Mint honey bees... forming a number of concentrated development areas.

However, the development is still not commensurate with the potential, advantages and orientation of the province, still mainly developing in breadth without focusing on development in depth, production does not follow market signals, people's level of information reception is still slow, the use of inorganic fertilizers, growth stimulants, chemical pesticides to increase crop and livestock productivity still occurs, causing pollution of soil and water environment, especially affecting the health of producers and consumers.

With the potential and current status of agricultural development in the province, determining a long-term vision for the agricultural sector, and effectively implementing Decree No. 109/2018/ND-CP of the Government on organic agriculture and Decision No. 885/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister approving the Project on organic agriculture development for the period 2020-2030, the Provincial People's Committee issued Decision No. 298/QD-UBND dated March 2, 2023 approving the Project on Development of Organic Agriculture in Ha Giang province to 2025, with a vision to 2030 to improve the quality of agricultural products, help increase product value, develop sustainably, and be friendly to the ecological environment; develop organic agriculture associated with the market, manage products, protect and build product brands.

The project aims that by 2025, the area of organic agricultural land associated with production, preliminary processing, processing and consumption of agricultural products in the total area for harvesting some typical trees with potential and advantages of the province will reach about 20-25%, equivalent to 11,184ha. Of which, the area of Shan Tuyet tea is 70% (10,084ha), oranges are 4% (350ha), temperate fruit trees are 10% (180ha), high-quality rice is 3% (220ha), medicinal herbs are 2% (350ha). The rate of organic livestock products is 6-7% of the total number of beef products, black pork and mint honey. Of which, beef is 10-12% (460 tons), black pork is 4% (300 tons), mint honey is 20% (46 tons). 100% of organic agricultural production areas are granted growing area codes and 100% of certified organic products are promoted and consumed. Increase the value of organic farming and livestock products associated with the chain of linkage, production and consumption of products by 1.3 - 1.5 times compared to non-organic products. By 2030, the area of organic agricultural land associated with linkage in production, preliminary processing, processing and consumption of agricultural products will reach 20-30% (about 15,061ha).

To complete the set goals, our province has determined to focus on developing key organic products such as: cows, pigs, bees and temperate fruit trees, tea, oranges, medicinal herbs, rice; clearly defining organic farming and livestock areas in localities and sub-climatic zones; implementing diverse forms of organic product development organization, applying science and technology in organic agricultural production; strengthening training and human resource development; building organic production models and increasing investment attraction for processing, branding, advertising, and promoting the consumption of organic agricultural products...

Article and photos: DUY TUAN

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