Farmers in Hai Duong are accessing the international economic integration program for the first time.

Deputy Chief of the SPS Vietnam Office, Ngo Xuan Nam, suggested that Hai Duong focus on solutions to quickly change the mindset and actions regarding the production of agricultural products for export among businesses, cooperatives, and farmers.

On the morning of November 26th, in Hai Duong City, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Hai Duong province and the Vietnam National Notification and Inquiry Point on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) jointly organized the 2024 International Economic Integration Program and Farmers' Forum.

Attending the program, in addition to delegates from the agricultural sector, were leaders, associations, organizations, and many farmers from localities with export-oriented vegetable growing areas in Cam Giang district, Nam Sach district, Chi Linh city, and Hai Duong city.

At the conference, participants were briefed by SPS experts on regulations and commitments regarding food safety, animal and plant quarantine in free trade agreements between Vietnam and the EU (European Union), HALAL (Islamic countries), and RCEP (10 ASEAN countries and 5 partners including China, South Korea, etc.). Japan, Australia, and New Zealand.

Representatives of cooperatives and farmers from regions growing vegetables for export are studying documents on regulations and commitments regarding food safety, animal and plant quarantine in free trade agreements.

This is the first time farmers in Hai Duong have participated in a conference on international economic integration programs. Through listening to experts' discussions and directly reading documents, many farmers have initially gained knowledge and understood the importance of ensuring food safety and complying with international regulations in the production of agricultural products for export, which they will apply in the future...

Vietnam has currently signed 17 free trade agreements, including 9 new-generation free trade agreements on commitments to export agricultural products and food. Vietnamese agricultural products in general, and those from Hai Duong in particular, have been and are being exported to 27 countries in the European Union (EU) and many countries in ASEAN and Asia.

Many agricultural products in Hai Duong, such as carrots, lychees, cabbage, and cauliflower, are being exported in increasing quantities and at higher values. The province still has great potential for developing vegetable growing areas to serve the export market.

However, the current challenge is that the majority of farmers and cooperatives still maintain a "produce as is" mindset, paying little attention to food safety and hygiene issues and compliance with international regulations. Much of the agricultural produce is primarily consumed domestically, resulting in low value.

TM

Source: https://baohaiduong.vn/nong-dan-hai-duong-lan-dau-tiep-can-chuong-trinh-hoi-nhap-kinh-te-quoc-te-399013.html