Nghe An farmers increase production of safe food and agricultural products

Many effective models

In the trend of market competition, ensuring food safety and hygiene standards and environmental safety in shrimp farming according to biological processes is an inevitable requirement, helping shrimp farmers minimize risks, reduce costs and increase income.

In Dien Trung commune, Dien Chau district, the modelorganic shrimp farmingapplied in recent years has brought many positive results.

Biosafety shrimp farming model in Dien Trung commune (Dien Chau). Photo: Quang An

Mr. Nguyen Viet Binh's family, in Dien Trung commune, has 2 shrimp ponds with a total area of ​​over 30,000m2.², raised using biosafety methods. Mr. Binh said: From pond treatment, seed selection, nursery, seed release, care, management... to harvesting, Mr. Binh strictly follows biosafety procedures according to the instructions of the farmers' association staff, so the shrimp have few diseases, reduce costs, and achieve high yields.

At harvest time, the shrimp reach a size of 30 - 33 shrimp/kg, much higher than traditional shrimp farming, so the output also increases by one and a half times each crop. Not only that, the market price for organic shrimp is about 200,000 VND/kg, while traditional shrimp is only about 150,000 - 170,000 VND/kg.

To effectively implement the biosafety shrimp farming process, people are required to strictly follow technical procedures, regularly renovate and clean ponds; carefully check environmental factors such as pH, alkalinity, salinity... During the farming process, from the time of releasing the seeds to care and harvest, there is always the companionship of the farmers' association in guiding farming methods as well as linking to create product output for people, so everyone is excited.

Shrimp raised using biosafety methods achieve high productivity and are popular in the market. Photo: Quang An

In addition to farming models, safe crop models are also being implemented by the Farmers' Association in many localities in the province.

In Dien Thai commune, Dien Chau district these days, the fields of cilantro are stretching out, green. This is an easy-to-grow vegetable, preferring muddy soil, can be harvested many times after planting once, so the investment cost is low, and is the crop that brings the highest economic efficiency in the area.

Ms. Phan Thi Nhung - Director of Dien Thai Coriander Cooperative said: In addition to the above advantages, local coriander is a product that ensures food safety, the water source for growing coriander is taken from Do Luong barley, not through residential areas, so the quality is guaranteed, not polluted. On the other hand, because people are trained in safe farming methods by the Farmers' Association, they do not use pesticides during the care process, the product quality is always guaranteed.

Currently, the whole commune has 20 hectares of coriander and is expected to expand by 3 hectares in the coming years to serve market demand. After achieving the 3-star OCOP certification, the locality is promoting the completion of documents and procedures to export coriander to the Korean and Japanese markets.

People in Dien Thai commune, Dien Chau district are excited because coriander brings them a stable income. Photo: Quang An

Nghi Long Commune, Nghi Loc District is considered the capital of safe vegetable growing in Nghi Loc District. In 2018, thanks to the support and companionship of the Farmers' Association, the locality researched the project and proceeded to build 60 hectares of vegetables and fruits according to VietGAP standards, 2 crops per year. If in the summer-autumn crop, the locality planted 60 hectares of watermelon and melon, then in the winter crop, the locality planted 6 hectares of vegetables such as kohlrabi, cabbage, five-spice vegetables... all ensuring safety according to VietGAP standards.

Mr. Nguyen Tu Ngoc - Vice Chairman of Nghi Long Commune People's Committee said: "When participating in safe vegetable production, 60 households in the commune were trained in knowledge. When producing, they strictly followed the processes, so the vegetable products brought to the market are guaranteed in quality, the selling price is many times higher than traditional vegetable production, and people's income has also increased significantly. Currently, the locality also has a safe vegetable brand and is completing the procedures to be able to bring vegetables to supermarket systems, retail systems, and demanding markets inside and outside the province".

Continue to replicate the models

Recognizing the importance of producing safe food and agricultural products to ensure the health of consumers, the Standing Committee of the Provincial Farmers' Association has coordinated with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Department of Industry and Trade, and the Department of Finance to advise the Provincial People's Committee to issue the project "Propaganda, mobilization, and guidance for farmers to produce, trade, and consume safe agricultural products and food in the period 2020 - 2023".

The project aims to create a strong change in awareness and consciousness of farmers in the whole province about agricultural production.safe food; improve farmers' qualifications and knowledge, especially knowledge about production and processing of safe agricultural products and food; equip them with knowledge to recognize safe agricultural products and food, contributing to forming the habit of consuming safe agricultural products and food among the people. Promote the application and replication of advanced production models and processes, ensuring food safety; prevent abusepesticides, growth stimulants, chemicals, antibiotics and banned substances in production, contributing to sustainable agricultural development, improving income and quality of life.

Farmers in Nghi Long commune grow vegetables in greenhouses. Photo: Nguyen Hai

Directing, guiding and supporting funding for the construction of 3 stores to display, introduce and trade safe agricultural products in 3 districts: Dien Chau, Do Luong and Vinh city. The effectiveness is proven when the products after being released to the market always ensure quality, are well received by consumers, agricultural product output is guaranteed, farmers' income also increases, creating a movement to compete in producing safe agricultural products throughout districts, cities and towns.
In the coming time, the Provincial Farmers' Association will continue to create conditions for Farmers' Associations at all levels to directly direct the construction and replication of effective economic development models in the direction of a closed chain from production to product consumption, with special attention to the production stage to ensure safety, protect the health and interests of consumers in the area.