Nghe An: Building 30 projects connecting supply and demand of clean agricultural products

The conference aims to connect producers with consumers, increase the value of agricultural products, and gradually form a chain of production - processing - consumption of safe agricultural products in the area. It was organized by the Project Management Board of Technical Cooperation on Planning for the Development of Nghe An Agriculture Sector in coordination with the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Nghe An Branch (VCCI).

Attending the conference, in addition to representatives of the Project Management Board, JICA, VCCI, there were also participants from units/cooperatives/agricultural production establishments in the province, and enterprises purchasing, processing and exporting agricultural products.

Overview of the conference. Photo: Phu Huong

This activity is part of the Technical Cooperation Project on Agricultural Development Planning in Nghe An, under the cooperation program between JICA and Nghe An Provincial People's Committee, aiming to create opportunities for typical production establishments to introduce high-quality agricultural products to distribution businesses and consumers.

Through this, distribution and consumption businesses have the opportunity to access reputable production facilities for joint ventures, thereby enhancing their skills in identifying safe products and building distribution channels.

Delegates visit the displayed products. Photo: Phu Huong

Currently, the marketing of agricultural products in Nghe An is still inadequate. Producers do not have much profit despite producing high quality products, while consumers cannot recognize suitable products for themselves.

By participating in the conference, manufacturers have more information about the capacity and requirements of buyers. In return, buyers have information about the capacity of manufacturers, creating a stable value chain.

Dien grapefruit brings in hundreds of billions of dong in revenue in Thanh Lien commune (Thanh Chuong). Photo: Phu Huong

Concluding the conference, Mr. Nguyen Van Lap - Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Director of the Project Management Board of Technical Cooperation on Agricultural Development Planning in Nghe An stated: The initial successes of the Project in supporting the production of clean products, building brands and labels have confirmed that this is the right direction and needs to be replicated in agricultural production in Nghe An.

However, in order for the products to be consumed stably and effectively, manufacturers need to aim to produce quality products, at reasonable prices, with brands and labels to create trust for consumers. From this Supply - Demand Connection Conference, manufacturers and distributors, product consumers need to have a closer connection, increase competitiveness and product value.

To date, Nghe An has successfully built 30 pilot projects. From now until March 2019, the end of the project, the Project Management Board will continue to coordinate the construction of a number of other pilot projects throughout the province.