Good ways to help Nghe An farmers sell agricultural products during the epidemic season

In recent days, officials and members of the Vinh City Farmers' Association have been busy connecting agricultural products for people. Photo: Thanh Phuc

These days, Ms. Dang Thi Thanh Hoa, an official of the Vinh City Farmers' Association, is busy contacting producers to agree on prices, quantity of goods, and quality of agricultural products; posting information about the supply of agricultural products from the city's residents on the association's and group's pages, then receiving orders and contacting shippers to...Connecting supply and demand for agricultural products for members during the epidemic seasonCovid 19.

Ms. Hoa said: “Since the outbreak of the epidemic in the city, the connection of supply and demand for agricultural products between people in wards and communes has been initiated. Accordingly, the Farmers' Association of communes grasps the production and supply situation of member households, then the City Farmers' Association acts as a bridge connecting the needs of the city's people and supplying rice, eggs, meat, vegetables, tubers, and fruits to the people.

Many food items are transported to checkpoints to serve people in quarantine areas. Photo: Thanh Phuc

In particular, during the days when Vinh City implemented Directive 16, manymarket closed, there is a local shortage of food, especially vegetables, so this connection is promoted. Currently, essential items such as rice, peanuts, meat, eggs, vegetables, tubers, fruits... have been connected, ensuring regular supply to the city's people.

Starting from March 2021, when some agricultural products of local farmers encountered difficulties in consumption, Nghi Loc Farmers' Association stepped in to connect with the people for consumption. Accordingly, from March until now, 10 tons of shallots have been consumed for farmers in Nghi Kieu and Nghi Lam; 10 tons of melons, 5 tons of watermelons and tomatoes have been consumed for people in Nghi Truong, Nghi Thinh, Nghi Phong and Nghi Trung communes; 25 tons of tangerines for farmers in Nghi Dan and Quy Hop; 3 tons of Soc Trang shallots and Son La plums; 4 tons of avocados and durians for farmers in Dak Lak.

Farmers' Associations in all localities have many activities to connect agricultural products consumption for people during the days of social distancing. Photo: Thanh Phuc

As the Covid-19 pandemic became more complicated, Nghi Loc district implemented Directive 16, making trading more difficult. Therefore, regulating supply and demand and connecting buyers and sellers became urgent. In that situation, "Agricultural support team"was established with members being the District Farmers' Association Executive Committee and 29 commune-level groups headed by the Commune Farmers' Association Chairmen.

Ms. Le Thi Tam Binh - Head of the Agricultural Support Team, Nghi Loc District Farmers' Association said: "The teams are responsible for understanding the farmers' agricultural calendar, what they are currently harvesting, what the prices are, and what the quality is. Then, post the information on groups so that people in need can place orders. For isolated areas, the team will support the transportation and delivery of goods to help people."

Many products, including melons, are connected for consumption by the Agricultural Support Group. Photo: Thanh Phuc

At this time, many melon gardens in Nghi Trung, Nghi Thinh, Nghi Truong communes are in the main harvest season to sell on the occasion of the Full Moon Festival. However, due to the epidemic, dozens of tons of melons are at risk of being unsold because they cannot be sold to other districts and provinces. However, through the connection channel of the Agricultural Support Group, the melon gardens have now been sold.

Ms. Phan Thi Hanh, a melon grower in Hamlet 1, Nghi Thinh Commune, said: “With two greenhouses and more than 3 tons of melons ready to be harvested for sale on the 15th of July, Directive 16 immediately stuck, making my family feel like “sitting on fire”. Luckily, through the Agricultural Support Group, 2/3 of the melon output was cut and sold in the past 4 days.”

Tons of melons from gardeners have found outlets through the Farmers' Association's connection channel. Photo: Thanh Phuc

With the aim of supporting people during the time when Cua Lo town implements Directive 16, restricting travel, and at the same time helping farmers consume agricultural and fishery products, the Farmers' Association of wards in Cua Lo town has established a "Farmer Support Connection Group".

Accordingly, the team will support travel to purchase theessential goodsfor the people. People just need to order the products they need to buy with their address and phone number, the members of the group will buy and deliver to their home. At the same time, the group is also a bridge for those who have agricultural and seafood products to sell, they will help consume them.

Many seafood products of Cua Lo town residents are also connected for timely consumption. Photo: Thanh Phuc

With the aim of performing a "dual mission",both production and safety in disease prevention and control, to limit local people from going out and avoid spreading the disease, the Farmers' Associations of localities have joined together to consume agricultural products for the people. This is a good way to help people feel secure in production, ensure their lives and effectively prevent and control the disease./.