Development of organic agricultural production in Vietnam is of interest to producers and consumers because organic agriculture is considered to be a safe, controlled and non-chemical use of fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, growth stimulants …
However, Vietnam's organic agriculture still faces challenges and no solutions to encourage development.
Farmers in Chau Thanh district, Tra Vinh province invest in net houses and hydroponic vegetable growing system. Photo: Thanh Hoa / TTXVN
Bringing the certification system, standards and regulations into production
Organic farming systems have been a trend of development in many countries around the world when the pressure on food reduces, food hygiene and safety, agricultural product quality and the environment increase. However, Vietnam's organic agriculture still faces challenges when it has not promoted the application of Vietnam's national standards dedicated to organic agriculture into the development of organic agricultural products from production to consumption. . Besides, there are no mechanisms, policies and solutions to encourage development.
The Ministry of Science and Technology said it had issued a set of Vietnamese national standards specifically for organic agriculture. This is the first set of standards dedicated to the production, cultivation, animal husbandry, processing and labeling of organic agricultural products. This set of standards is made on the basis of reference to international standards and standards of countries with developed organic agriculture such as the US, EU, Japan …
The Vietnamese national standard for organic agriculture is identified as an important basis for farmers, organizations and enterprises to practice organic agriculture. Standard set of regulations for organizations that evaluate and certify organic product production and processing systems. Standards in the Vietnamese national set of standards for organic agriculture provide general principles on organic production on farms, from the stage of production, preliminary processing, storage, transport, recording. labels, marketing and requirements for inputs such as fertilizers, requirements for stabilizing arable land, control of pests and diseases, crop additives, food additives and processing aids .
This set of standards protects consumers from being deceived, prevents frauds in commerce and prevents the publication of unfounded products; protect organic production and processing facilities against misleading organic production. Organic agriculture is a comprehensive production management system that promotes and enhances agro-ecological health, including biodiversity, biological cycles and biological productivity. Organic agriculture depends on the ability of each region and emphasizes the management of farming activities, minimizing the use of external materials and materials and taking into account the conditions of each region and each locality.
These standards are aimed at promoting agricultural production in general and organic production in particular, contributing to increasing product value, increasing product quality, domestic circulation and export. Therefore, the Agriculture sector needs to strengthen the application of Vietnam's national standards to promote the development of organic agricultural products from production to consumption.
Certification of organic products in Vietnam has 3 forms of certification: international standard certification, PGS certification, TCVN certification. Vietnam has 50 businesses with organic certification from the US Department of Agriculture, the National Organic Commission (USDA) with many products such as tea, cashew nuts, coconut, artiso … .18 businesses are certified according to USDA – NOP (Clean Product Program of the US Department of Agriculture) and 12 businesses certified according to EC 834/2007 (EU standards for organic production and labeling).
Promote the development of organic agriculture
At the seminar “Proposed solutions for organic agriculture development in Vietnam” took place, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Tran Thanh Nam said: The Ministry is developing a draft Project “Agricultural Development”. Organic businesses in Vietnam in the period of 2020 – 2030 ″ in order to promote the development of organic agricultural production, commercialization of products and at the same time, the goal of the project towards 2030, Vietnam strives to be in the top 15 of the world about organic agriculture.
Harvesting vegetables grown in the organic way of Mr. Luong Van Quang's family, Long Huong ward, Ba Ria city. Photo: Hoang Nhi / TTXVN
It is expected that the project “Developing organic agriculture in Vietnam in the period of 2020-2030” will be implemented with a total capital of over VND 36,000 billion, focusing on solutions to support businesses, cooperatives and farmers. participate in developing organic agriculture. Along with that is building a product distribution system nationwide to ensure domestic consumption as well as export-oriented. It is expected that in the fourth quarter of 2019, the Draft will be submitted to the Prime Minister for consideration and promulgation.
According to a report of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Vietnam currently has about 76,666 hectares of organic agricultural production, ranking 7th in Asia and 3rd in ASEAN countries. But considering the total area of agricultural land is 26.8 million ha, the area of organic agricultural production of the whole country is modest … Organic pig production in 12 localities has about 64,200 heads, the output of live meat is near 6,000 tons; raising organic chickens in 6 localities with 273,000 chickens, 922 tons of live meat; Organic farming of two provinces, Nghe An and Lam Dong, is recognized by international organizations with the output of 3,500 heads. Organic farming is very few localities deploying and mainly in the direction of organic, ecological, for exploitation and fishing mainly based on the natural potential of the lake surface. Currently, the whole country has 4 provinces with organic aquaculture models with a total area of 134,800 ha.
From the experience of developing organic agriculture of the European Union (EU), Mr. Olivier Catrou, National Institute of Origin and Quality (INAO), the French Ministry of Agriculture recommends a process of agricultural production. Organic farming so that farmers can produce in large quantities. However, state management agencies need to provide information, issue and manage certification; support farmers to produce and certify standard products, because if the farmer's process has not been certified, it is difficult to sell to the market.
Mr. Olivier Catrou said that the potential of exporting organic agricultural products of Vietnam to Europe is huge. The problem is how to trust and qualify consumers to be able to export to Europe. Vietnam – EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) will open up the potential to strongly develop this field for both sides. It is important that exporters understand and work with the authorities to meet the needs of the importing country.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Tran Thanh Nam affirmed: Vietnam has potential to export organic products, especially to big European markets. Therefore, businesses need to participate in this area. In addition, there is a need for strict management of certification organizations and units assigned in monitoring certification results.
According to the draft Project “Organic agriculture development in the period of 2020-2030”, by 2025, the area of organic crops will reach about 1.5 – 3% of the total planted area; animal husbandry has 5 – 10% organic products (particularly for bees and bee products about 40-50% organic); about 2-3% of the aquaculture area meets the organic standard equivalent to 60,000 ha.
By 2030, the area of organic crops will reach about 7-10% of the planted area (particularly for medicinal plants, aromas and natural products, the organic area will reach 40-50%). , the yield of organic crops reaches about 95 – 100% of that of ordinary crops; livestock have 5 – 10% organic products; fisheries have about 7-8% of the area equivalent to 100,000 ha for an output of about 500,000 tons.
P.V.
Source: Vietnam + / TTXVN / News Newspaper
