Nghe An promotes the development of organic agriculture.

Overview of the meeting. Photo: Thu Huyen

Organic agricultural productionOrganic agriculture is the foundation for ensuring health, protecting the environment, and achieving sustainable development; it is an inevitable development trend. The Government has issued Decree No. 109/2018/ND-CP on organic agriculture, and the Prime Minister has also approved the Project for the Development of Organic Agriculture for the period 2020-2030.

Nghe An province has a large area of ​​agricultural land and diverse products, with potential for developing organic agriculture. Currently, TH Group and several other businesses, organizations, and individuals have invested in developing effective organic agricultural production. However, products with potential for organic production are still scattered and small-scale. Soil and water environments require treatment, incurring high costs. Production costs are high, product packaging is not attractive, and yields are lower than conventional production; product differentiation is not yet managed and is difficult to distinguish. Meanwhile, policies are not strong enough to promote the development of organic agriculture...

Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Tran Xuan Hoc presents the draft plan. Photo: Thu Huyen

In accordance with Decision No. 69/QD-UBND dated January 13, 2021, of the People's Committee of Nghe An province on the issuance of the plan to implement the action program to implement the Resolution of the 19th Provincial Party Congress, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development was assigned by the Provincial People's Committee to develop a project on the development of organic agriculture in the province for the period 2022-2030.

The draft plan has been sent for comments to relevant ministries and departments, as well as 21 districts, cities, and towns. Based on the feedback from these departments, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has incorporated the suggestions and finalized the plan.

Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology Nguyen Viet Hung gives feedback on the draft project. Photo: Thu Huyen

Accordingly, seven key products will be implemented: rice, fruits (oranges, pomelos, pineapples); raw materials for processing (tea, sugarcane); meat (pork, poultry); fresh cow's milk, wood and wood products; shrimp, and fish. The selection criteria prioritize key agricultural products and those with local advantages, while ensuring economic, social, and environmental effectiveness. Priority will be given to traditional, indigenous products with specialty value, and products that have met quality standards such as VietGAP, GlobalGAP, and OCOP.

The estimated budget required to support the implementation of the project is over 265 billion VND.

The cows are fed entirely organic feed at TH Farm. (Photo: Nghe An Newspaper)

At the meeting, delegates agreed that the development of the project was necessary, contributing to the restructuring of the agricultural sector and the construction of new rural areas. However, they argued that support should not be based on price, but rather on trade promotion to create healthy competition for products. Delegates also noted that organic production is currently facing difficulties due to changes in farming practices; the selection and improvement of organic production areas; and the impact of climate change. In particular, issues of market access, quality control, and product management are challenging, and production costs are high.

Comrade Hoang Nghia Hieu delivers the concluding remarks at the meeting. Photo: Thu Huyen

Concluding the meeting, the Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee,Vice Chairman of the Nghe An Provincial People's Committee, Hoang Nghia Hieu, emphasized that the project is consistent with the agricultural development orientation according to the Resolution of the 19th Congress of the Nghe An Provincial Party Committee and priority policies. Developing clean, environmentally friendly production is a current trend. The project needs to add medicinal herbs and non-timber forest products; and review the indicators to bring them closer to the national average...

ComradeThe Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is requested to further refine the project based on feedback from relevant departments and agencies, and submit it to the Provincial People's Committee for promulgation.

Thu Huyen