Vietnamplus

Organic agriculture production and consumption in Việt Nam is facing many challenges from modest size, output and capital shortage to consumer doubt over quality and origin.

Chairman of the Lao National Assembly Xaysomphone Phomvihane and the Lao NA delegation on December 7 paid a working visit to Que Lam group, a leading organic fertilizer maker based in Binh Xuyen district, the northern province of Vinh Phuc.

The potential for organic agricultural development in Vietnam is still great and the opportunity for organic agricultural products from Vietnam to enter Australia is very promising in the near future, said Nguyen Van Kien, Director of Canberra-based Mekong Organics Company.

Demand for organic products has been rising sharply globally including in Vietnam, and this is good news for businesses investing in them, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Hanoi’s agriculture is projected to grow at least 3 percent in 2021 under a recently-issued plan on agriculture and rural development in the year.

Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung has recently signed a decision approving the Organic Agriculture Development Project for 2020-2030 with a hope of becoming one of countries with advance organic agriculture production.

Japanese non-governmental organisation (NGO) Seed to Table (STT) has provided an assistance package worth 55,000 USD for the Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap to develop an organic agriculture project in the 2019-2022 period.

A technical cooperation programme was launched on February 11 to support the development of organic farming systems and agro-ecotourism in small-scale communities in southern localities of the Mekong Delta.

Dak Lak province has many advantages and potential to develop organic agriculture, but the province lacks clear development directions, according to an official of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD).

Organic practice in fruit cultivation was the highlight of a seminar held in the southern province of Tay Ninh on September 26.

Kien Giang will sign a number of Memoranda of Understanding and cooperation deals with nearly 20 business and investment organisations and associations in various fields such as agriculture, industry, trade, and tourism at an investment promotion conference which will be held in the Mekong Delta province on July 29.

Luong Van Quang got started with organic farming two years ago to help feed his family.

Vo Van Trung has become the first person in his village to go high tech and introduce modern facilities on his farm.

The Japanese government on February 25 organised a signing ceremony to provide non-refundable aid worth a total of more than 300,000 USD for two ongoing projects in Vietnam.

Provinces and cities in the Mekong Delta have set to develop high-quality agriculture combined with eco-tourism, services and industry as their ambitious targets this year.

The Mekong Delta province of An Giang has targeted shifting from traditional agricultural production, which is heavily dependent on fertilisers and chemicals, to more sustainable production and organic standards, said a provincial official.

The first Mekong Delta Forum on developing the partnership between Vietnam and Australia in organic agriculture was held in An Giang province on January 14.

Farmers in the Mekong Delta province of Soc Trang have got higher profits since they switched to organic rice cultivation.

Vietnam has been making efforts to foster organic farming, including a decree issued last August which should be implemented as soon as possible, experts told a forum in HCM City on December 25.

Companies interested in organic agriculture should engage in market research and brand building, and not just simply chase trends without having first identified buyers, experts have said.