Twenty eight grape growers’ groups in central Ninh Thuan province have received the Vietnam Good Agricultural Practices (VietGAP) certificate for their safe grapes.

The groups which consist of 260 households growing grapevines in 66.36 hectares took part in a grape production programme to meet VietGAP standards. This is a part an ADB-funded project on quality of safety enhancement of agricultural products and biogas development (Qseap) which started operating in 2010.

Under the programme, participants were provided with training courses on GAP and guidelines on technologies, according to Qseap project’s management board.

To ensure sustainable development, Do Trung Thu, Chairman of the Ninh Thuan Grape Association, suggested the management board connect grape growers with businesses, while strengthening the promotion of Ninh Thuan grapes in local and foreign markets.

Ninh Thuan is home to the country’s largest vineyards with 2,500 ha mainly in Ninh Phuoc and Ninh Hai districts and Phan Rang-Thap Cham city. The grape output is between 60,000-65,000 tonnes a year.

The grape was introduced into Ninh Thuan in 1960, test-planted by the South Central Centre for Agricultural Technical Research based in Nha Ho, Ninh Son district, and was commercially produced in the 1980s.-VNA