Hanoi developing supply chains of safe agricultural produce

Developing value chains

A report by the Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Rural Development showed that the city is implementing 133 hi-tech agricultural models. Despite their modest scale, they have yielded high economic efficiency. Among these models are Hoa Vien farm in Thach That District, Dan Hoai Cooperative’s orchid planting model in Dan Phuong District, and high tech fish farming models in Ung Hoa and Chuong My districts.

In addition, the Hanoi People’s Committee is focusing on developing supply chains of safe agricultural products in the city by approving a number of projects such as the “Production and supply chains of animal feed products to ensure food hygiene in Hanoi in the 2016-2020 period”; and a project on high quality rice production.

So far, the capital has created and maintained 135 supply chains, including 56 for safe meat products and 79 for other kinds of food products. The supply chains have attracted the participation of a large number of businesses, cooperatives and farm households and more than 40 product brands have been protected, such as chicken from Ba Vi, Soc Son; Dai Thanh longan, and Boi Khe fragrant rice.

The Hanoi Plant Protection Sub-department has developed 40 models of safe vegetables, fruits and tea products, applying the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS). Of those, 35 models of safe vegetables applying the PGS have been built since the beginning of this year in 35 communes and towns in 15 districts. Notably, cooperatives and farmers have been trained in the proper use of plant protection pesticides and in cross-checks during their cultivation process.

So far, as many as 208 businesses have signed sales contracts with Van Duc, Dai Lan and Ba Chu cooperatives with a volume of up to 42 tonnes a day. The product prices are more stable and higher than the market prices, increasing producers’ incomes. Meanwhile, traders can be more proactive about goods supplies to better serve their clients and reduce risks in case of price fluctuations. Hanoi has also developed five fruit and tea production models applying the PSG on bananas, Dong Du guavas, Canh oranges, Dien grapefruits and tea plants.

Seeking stable market for agricultural products

Despite the many benefits of value chains, some shortcomings still exist, including weak production connection and consumption or violations of sales contracts. In addition, farmers’ knowledge of the market, product labeling and brands remains limited, which results in difficulties in the supply of organic and safe agricultural products among big consumers like hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, commercial centers, and workplace canteens.

Nguyen Van Chi, Head of the Hanoi Rural Development Sub-department, said the city has carried out various activities to promote connection and consumption of agricultural products, or products from the “One Commune One Product” program, and regional specialties with local residents.

Mitsuru Nanakubo, chief advisor of the technical cooperation project of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), said that with the support of JICA Safe Crop, the Hanoi Investment, Trade, Tourism Promotion Center has developed a website on the city’s safe agricultural products (nongsanantoanhanoi.gov.vn), aiming to connect and support reputable production facilities and businesses in introducing safe, high-quality and clear-origin goods to Hanoi consumers. So far, nearly 300 producers, distributors and link chains from Hanoi and other provinces have surfed the website, with approximately 400,000 visits to search for information.

In addition, Hanoi will support the development of link chains from production to consumption in order to help control quality, improve product value, and regulate the benefit stages of the chains. Particularly, the city will facilitate business investment in processing and consumption of products for farmers, and in the development of hi-tech agricultural models.