Seeking outlets for VietGap products

The FADQDC project funded by the Canada International Development Agency through NAFIQAD, and implemented by domestic agencies in collaboration with Montreal University, aims to improve food quality and safety and broaden access to agricultural products in Vietnam. After four years of implementation, the project has achieved remarkable results in finding agricultural product outlets. The project is not only focused on providing technical assistance but also on introducing and implementing production and consumption initiatives.

While attending the conference, many purchasers signed consumer contracts under the VietGAP model. Three farms and safe fruit and vegetable cooperatives were granted official VietGAP certificates. The chicken and poultry breeding model was the first to have received the VietGAP certificate since the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) applied new standards to the breeding sector. A total of 12 fruit and vegetable models in Hanoi, Thanh Hoa, Bac Giang, Lam Dong, HCM City, and Tien Giang have also been granted VietGAP certificates. Apart from meeting strict safety standards, the VietGAP models are also environmentally friendly.

A recent survey of the southern region showed safe products originating from HCM City’s Phuoc An cooperative, as well as Lam Dong Province’s Anh Dao cooperative and Phong Thuy farm have been on sale at many retail stores and major supermarket franchises such as Coopmart, Big C, and Metro. A number of other companies like Rong Do Trade and Service Co, Ltd have stored a huge volume of safe products for export or domestic consumption.

Nguyen Cong Thua, Director of the Anh Dao Agricultural Production and Services Cooperative, expressed delight at potential outlets for safe vegetables, saying they are now capable of supplying 6,000 tonnes per year.  Some companies have ordered in advance, but he is not sure to fulfill all orders.

He said the cooperative will expand its cultivation area by 15 percent to meet market demand. He was glad to see farmers actively engaging in the VietGAP programme.

The Phuoc An Agricultural Production and Service cooperative is another case in point.  With its supply capacity of 2–3 tonnes per day, the cooperative will focus on assisting at least 90 percent of its members to meet the criteria for VietGAP certification.

Huynh Van Sang, deputy head of the Hoa Loc cooperative, said it has signed a contract to export 100 tonnes of mangoes to Japan. More companies are keen to buy its products for export to European markets. He said under the VietGAP production model, input costs are low but product prices are highly competitive. In 2013, the cooperative will double its cultivation area to 60ha and admit 106 new members.

Huu Thinh Company Director Lam Quang Khiet said his company will set up a chain of stores to bring the Hoa Loc mango to consumers. Every year, it purchases 50 tonnes of products in advance for export to Southeast Asian markets.

In seeking outlets, FAPQDC has developed a trademark recognition system for each industry, including a range of VietGAP green label logos under the motto “Safe products are the leading option”.

The Copyright Office of Vietnam has granted a certificate of ownership to the National Agro-Forestry-Fisheries Quality Assurance Department (NAFIQAD). Vegetable enterprises certified by VietGAP are all eligible to use the VietGAP green label logo and motto for product promotion.