Producing green vegetables according to VietGap process in Quynh Minh

(Baonghean) -Before 2000, Quynh Minh commune had converted more than 100 hectares of rice cultivation to commercial vegetable cultivation. If other food crops were grown, the average annual income would only reach 9-10 million VND/ha, but when switching to growing vegetables, the income increased 5 times, sometimes even 7-8 times.

In addition to the traditional vegetables, in the past ten years, people have grown many other types such as carrots, Malabar spinach, herbs... The Quynh Minh vegetable market has expanded outside the province such as Thanh Hoa, Hanoi, Ha Tinh, Da Nang, Hue... Quynh Minh farmers actively adopt new techniques and technologies into production; this is one of the bases for the North Central Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology to choose to pilot the vegetable production model according to VietGAP process.

In the 2012 winter crop, the project of growing safe vegetables according to VietGAP process was implemented in the commune. With a total area of ​​15 hectares of green onions, cabbage, and leafy vegetables, 90 households participated in the project. In addition to 100% support for seedlings and 30-50% of fertilizers depending on the model, households were also equipped with knowledge about technical farming processes, integrated pest management according to each stage and season; post-harvest treatment, field diary recording... After 2 months of implementation, the results showed that the productivity and quality of 3 types of vegetables had increased significantly because they were not affected by the weather and reduced pests and diseases... In particular, caring for vegetables according to VietGAP process helps people reduce 20% of fertilizers and pesticides. The isolation period after fertilizing and spraying is 10-15 days before harvesting, so the quality of vegetables is guaranteed...



Safe vegetable production according to VietGAP process in Quynh Minh commune.

For old farmer Ho Van An (in hamlet 2 - Quynh Minh), someone holding his hand and teaching him how to grow vegetables seems redundant. Because he "sells his face" on 3 sao of fertile land all year round, he has enough experience to grow cabbage and scallions for productivity. However, the concept and process of growing safe vegetables is still a gap in his experience. Therefore, when the commune chose him to participate in the model of growing safe vegetables according to VietGAP standards, Mr. An was both excited and unfamiliar. Because he was new to the approach, most of the people were still confused, especially when it came to meticulously recording the forms. But when he was guided and practiced right in the vegetable field, the work became more convenient and easier. “Through the knowledge we have learned, we see that it is impossible to grow high-quality vegetables in the traditional way, based on experience, but must apply advances in science and technology. In addition to regulations on varieties and soil, safe vegetable production must follow a certain process, with strict management, ensuring transparency in all stages from planting, care, to harvesting... ", Mr. Ho Van An shared.

Mr. Ho Dien Chau (in hamlet 1) has more than 10 years of experience in commercial vegetable production. With 3 sao of fertile land, he supplies 400 - 500 kg of vegetables of all kinds to markets in and outside the district and province every day, so he was chosen by the commune to participate in the safe green onion production model following VietGAP. Mr. Chau said: "This season, my family continues to grow green onions using VietGAP procedures. When the green onions grow strongly, we use bio-fertilizers to replace NPK and Urea; 1 kg/sao, fertilizing twice is enough. According to calculations, applying VietGAP procedures reduces production costs, but when cultivating, we have to spend more effort (care time increases by 3 - 5 working days/sao compared to traditional production methods). Currently, with a consumption of nearly 5 quintals of vegetables/day, after deducting expenses, my family's profit is nearly 10 million VND/month". What worries him is the constant uncertainty, because safe vegetables are still only sold in traditional markets and have not yet "entered" supermarkets, so output is still difficult.

Mr. Ho Dien Vy, Chairman of the Agricultural and Salt Cooperative - Quynh Minh Commune, said: "The project of growing safe vegetables according to VietGap process ended in the winter crop of 2012, but in the spring crop of 2013, people have become more aware and focused on producing clean vegetables. Many households, although not directly participating in the project, still pay attention to gradually reducing the use of pesticides. However, the output and brand for clean vegetables are still a "difficult problem" that needs to be solved, because currently there is no "transparent" distinction, clean vegetables are still being equated with vegetables produced in the traditional way, the selling price is not much different".

The biggest wish of Quynh Minh people is to have a long-term partner to consume their products so that they can confidently invest in production. In the future, it is necessary to form production cooperatives to help people be more flexible in their thinking and working, and to easily access and support each other in applying scientific and technological advances.

Ngoc Anh