HCM City (VNA) - CJ Group of the Republic of Korea (RoK) announced on May 14 that it has provided over 4.2 billion VND (nearly 162,000 USD) to support a project expanding chili farming areas in the south-central province of Ninh Thuan.
The initiative is expected to promote sustainable agriculture and improve the livelihoods of local communities.
The funding will focus on expanding cultivation areas and increasing farmer participation through the provision of seeds, fertilizers, and machinery. It also aims to strengthen the capacity of local cooperatives and processing facilities.
Notably, Korean experts will be dispatched to provide technical support in cultivation and production, helping to better the quality and efficiency of the local agricultural value chain.
In May 2025, many households in Tam Ngan village, Lam Son commune, Ninh Son district of Ninh Thuan have resumed chili cultivation after a hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. CJ Group has provided free chili seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides to participating farmers. Meanwhile, the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has sent Korean volunteers and experts to Tam Ngan to support the project.
Previously, local farmers planted only one chili crop per year. Thanks to the project, they are now able to cultivate two crops annually. In 2025, the project initially aimed to plant 3 hectares of chili, but due to growing farmer participation, the area is expected to expand to 5 hectares. The estimated chili powder output for 2025 is projected at 3.6 to 4 tonnes. Notably, Ninh Thuan chili powder brand has officially returned to the shelves of Bach Hoa Xanh and Co.op Mart supermarket chains, marking a key milestone in the restoration of the local value chain from production to consumption.
Since 2014, the project has helped improve living conditions for farmers in Tam Ngan village by increasing incomes through chili farming contracts with local farmers. In 2017, CJ officially inaugurated Tam Ngan agricultural processing plant, ensuring stable purchases of local chili products.
After being heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the project has entered a strong recovery since 2023, with chili powder products being reintroduced to the market, marking a significant step in reaffirming the quality of local agricultural products./.
