Hot issues in orange tree development in Nghe An

Those problems are:

1. Planning and planning management issues:According to Nghe An's citrus development plan until 2020, the area for orange cultivation was projected to be 5,150 hectares, with 3,870 hectares of concentrated orange orchards and a production of 40,000 tons. However, to date, the total area of ​​orange orchards in the province has reached 5,096 hectares, including over 2,500 hectares of commercially cultivated oranges. Meanwhile, in districts with the potential for orange cultivation, orange trees are being developed quite extensively, even in areas not included in the plan. Thus, by 2020, the area of ​​orange orchards will certainly exceed the plan. This will expose orange cultivation to many risks.

Oranges in Minh Thanh commune (Yen Thanh district). Photo: Dao Tuan

2. Regarding orange varieties:Besides the four orange varieties under the Vinh orange geographical indication (Xa Doai 1, Xa Doai 2, Van Du, and Song Con), in reality, many other orange varieties have been imported to Nghe An through various channels. Apart from the V2 variety, most other orange varieties are of poor quality. In particular, due to the lack of management of seed sources, seed quality is not guaranteed, with many varieties being infected with diseases, the most dangerous of which is citrus greening.

3. Regarding the production process:Despite their experience in orange cultivation, the current orange farming practices of most businesses and households tend to overuse pesticides. An expert on orange trees stated that, on average, each hectare of orange trees costs around 100 million VND per year to care for, with approximately 70% of that amount spent on pesticides. Orange trees are sprayed with pesticides and other chemicals about 10-15 times a year. It can be said that the current orange cultivation process cannot be considered safe, especially for Nghe An oranges, which are unlikely to meet export standards. Even in the domestic market, with increasingly stringent food safety requirements, Nghe An oranges will face significant challenges.

Orange preservation technology has also not received enough attention. While orange production is high, it only lasts for a few months, resulting in low efficiency in orange production and sales.

4. Regarding the product:Vinh oranges are primarily sold on the market as fresh fruit. Only a few businesses process oranges into products such as soft drinks, jams, candied oranges, and wine, but the scale is insignificant.

5. Regarding brand building:Although the geographical indication (GI) for Vinh oranges was established in 2007, its management and implementation have not been effective since then. The number of oranges sold on the market bearing the Vinh orange label each year is negligible. Orange producers are not enthusiastic about using the Vinh orange GI. Counterfeit Vinh oranges still occur on the market but have not been addressed. This year's orange season saw a pilot program to affix electronic traceability labels to Vinh oranges. Initial results show promising results.

In orange-producing areas outside the Vinh Orange geographical indication zone, such as Anh Son, Con Cuong, and Yen Thanh, almost no one has paid attention to building and developing brands.

The issues we have just mentioned are posing significant challenges and risks to orange cultivation in Nghe An province in general, and Vinh oranges in particular. In reality, while some areas are achieving high yields, many others are experiencing very low prices (below 20,000 VND, even 10,000 VND/kg). In the near future, without comprehensive solutions, Nghe An oranges risk a surplus crisis. This is not to mention the worrying current orange diseases. Furthermore, the overuse of pesticides also threatens to bring the orange market to a point where even giving the fruit away for free is difficult.

People buying oranges at the Vinh Orange Fair. (Photo: Archival image)

1. The province needs to manage planning effectively. The development of orange cultivation based on trends should be limited. In areas not included in the planning zone, it should not be encouraged, and management measures should be implemented to prevent people from planting oranges indiscriminately.

2. The agricultural sector needs to strictly manage the source of orange seedlings. The number of orange varieties should be limited to around the four Vinh orange varieties and one or two others (such as V2). It is necessary to encourage and support certain businesses or organizations that produce and supply disease-free orange seedlings to orange growers. Orange growers should be encouraged to purchase seedlings from reliable sources with clear origins. The application of technical solutions and clean orange cultivation processes needs to be strengthened.

3. Encourage businesses with the potential to build orange storage facilities, applying the most modern orange preservation technologies to ensure quality and year-round orange sales. Attract investment and encourage businesses to process and further process products from oranges.

4. Regarding the brand:

- The province needs to quickly develop a policy on building a brand for Nghe An oranges, either by using a common geographical indication (GI) for all oranges in Nghe An, or by allowing localities outside the GI area to develop their own brands. In our opinion, the current management of the GI for Vinh oranges is still very difficult and confusing, with low effectiveness and efficiency, and the quality of oranges within the GI area as well as in other districts is very inconsistent. Rushing to expand the GI area now will not only fail to enhance its reputation but may even damage its prestige.

Therefore, it is now advisable to let other districts such as Yen Thanh, Anh Son, and Con Cuong develop their own brands. These districts should develop collective or certification marks. Through the management of certification or collective marks, they can practice and improve their capacity to manage the quality and branding of oranges in their respective districts. Only when the time is right should oranges from these districts be added to the Vinh Orange Geographical Indication area.

For Vinh oranges to truly rise to prominence and maintain a sustainable brand.

(Baonghean.vn) - Currently, some discerning consumers who appreciate Vinh oranges say: "After tasting Vinh oranges with the official label, I find that the quality of Vinh oranges varies between regions." This assessment accurately reflects the reality.

+ Continue to strictly enforce the management measures for the Vinh Orange Geographical Indication. Simultaneously, encourage the establishment of trademarks, such as ordinary trademarks for farms; collective trademarks for cooperatives; and certification trademarks managed by the People's Committees of the districts. Establishing and registering trademark protection is not difficult; the issue lies in how to manage the trademarks. We believe that under current conditions, certification trademarks are easier to manage than collective trademarks or geographical indications, because the owners of certification trademarks are usually the government or a public service unit with quality management functions.

+ Establish and publicize the quality of oranges. Oranges sold on the market need to have their quality declared, especially regarding food safety and hygiene. Simply promoting and encouraging the cultivation of clean oranges without managing quality will not be effective.

+ Applying electronic traceability labels. This is a cost-effective solution (applying electronic traceability labels only costs about 200 VND per orange) but is proving to be very useful nowadays.

+ Strengthen communication and promotion through mass media, especially social networks, and organize events (the Vinh Orange Fair is one example).

If the above four solutions are implemented, then Vinh oranges in particular and orange products from Nghe An in general will be able to compete in the market and develop sustainably.