Phu Giao District: Efforts to develop sustainable agriculture

Phu Giao district is striving to shape a new position for the agricultural sector, with production-consumption chain linkage as a key strategy. The connection between farmers, cooperatives and enterprises contributes to increasing the value of agricultural products, promoting the application of high technology, developing e-commerce and digital transformation, creating a foundation for the locality to build a smart and sustainable agriculture.

Unifarm succeeds in building a high-quality agricultural value chain in Phu Giao district.

From the typical

U&I Agriculture Joint Stock Company (Unifarm) is a typical example of building a high-quality agricultural value chain in Phu Giao district, specifically An Thai High-Tech Agricultural Zone (An Thai commune). Unifarm has received technology and production processes from countries and territories with developed agriculture such as Israel, Japan, Taiwan (China), focusing on key crops such as bananas, melons, and pineapples. After the model was successful, the company transferred technology to farmers and linked up to develop external raw material areas.

In particular, Unifarm has succeeded in becoming the exclusive partner of Dole Group, one of the world's largest producers and consumers of fresh fruits and vegetables. This has brought Unifarm's bananas to the world market. Besides bananas, cantaloupe is the product that made Unifarm's name. After 10 years, Unifarm has 15 hectares of cantaloupe that meet quality and productivity standards and is the first unit in Vietnam to export cantaloupe to foreign markets (Singapore, Malaysia, etc.). Unifarm has also formed a high-quality cantaloupe material area, achieving 4-star OCOP certification.

Unifarm representative shared that Unifarm does not aim to become the largest agricultural company in terms of area or output, but focuses on applying high technology to increase productivity, ensure consistent product quality, reduce production costs and qualify for export. The entire process of planting, fertilizing, plant protection, harvesting, preliminary processing and post-harvest handling is strictly carried out according to Unifarm's process and VietGAP and GlobalGAP standards.

Kim Long High-Tech Agricultural Cooperative (An Binh Commune, Phu Giao District) is also a typical example of the effectiveness of chain linkage and high-tech application in agricultural production. Established in 2016 with 7 members and 1.7 hectares of cultivated land, the cooperative has now expanded to 73 members with a total production area of ​​over 20 hectares. The main product is high-tech melon, meeting VietGAP standards and 3-star OCOP certification. Mr. Nguyen Hong Quyet, Director of Kim Long High-Tech Agricultural Cooperative, shared: “From the very beginning, we determined to have a close connection from production to consumption to ensure stable product quality and sustainable output. The cooperative has signed contracts with farmers and cooperative groups of raw material areas in Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, Dong Nai, Ba Ria - Vung Tau ; implemented a unified farming process, synchronized techniques and food safety standards and purchased all products of members, with stable prices. Thanks to this chain of connections, we have solved the problem of "good harvest, low price", helping members feel secure in production".

Not stopping there, Kim Long High-Tech Agricultural Cooperative is also a pioneer in applying e-commerce and livestream sales. Since 2021, Kim Long melon products have been available on major e-commerce platforms such as Vo So, Postmart, Sendo and have cooperated with supermarket chains such as Bach Hoa Xanh, MM Mega Market, Go, Co.opmart. In particular, since 2023, the Cooperative has organized livestream sales sessions online on Facebook and TikTok Shop.

Regarding quality management and brand building, Kim Long High-Tech Agricultural Cooperative applies Israeli drip irrigation technology, automatic nutrient control, and uses electronic diaries to record the entire cultivation process according to VietGAP standards. Product packaging is invested in professional and beautiful design, with transparent information and QR codes for traceability... Thanks to these efforts, the cooperative's melon output reaches more than 2,200 tons/year, of which 800 tons are exported, with revenue reaching more than 45 billion VND/year, creating stable jobs for 60-70 workers.

Kim Long High-Tech Agricultural Cooperative is also a typical example in applying high technology to agriculture.

Building a sustainable supply chain

The period of 2021-2025 witnessed a strong transformation of the agricultural sector of Phu Giao district, when the area of ​​high-tech agricultural production in the area reached nearly 15,000 hectares, mainly growing fruit trees such as bananas, durian, oranges, grapefruit, and melons. In the process of developing high-tech agriculture, Phu Giao district not only achieved impressive figures in terms of area and output, but also appeared many typical examples with advanced production models, creating a bright spot for the whole province.

However, according to the People's Committee of Phu Giao district, despite achieving many important results in developing local agriculture, the locality still faces many challenges in building a sustainable value chain. Specifically, the current value chain is still fragmented, lacking close links between farmers, cooperatives and enterprises; small-scale production, high costs, large post-harvest losses. Along with that, transactions are mainly in the form of free buying and selling, lacking binding contracts, the role of cooperatives is still unclear; enterprises have not invested heavily in deep processing or brand building. In addition, the connection with scientists is still awkward...

Phu Giao district leaders said that in order to promote chain linkage and sustainable development, the locality is strengthening propaganda and mobilizing people to proactively participate in chain linkage through seminars and training sessions, while promoting the connecting role of cooperatives and cooperatives with technology enterprises to replicate high-tech agricultural production models. At the same time, the district focuses on investing in infrastructure, especially transportation and irrigation, to facilitate production and rural tourism development...

Mr. To Van Dat, Chairman of Phu Giao District People's Committee: Phu Giao District develops agricultural products according to the value chain from production to consumption, focusing on key products such as bananas, durian, pork, chicken; closely linking farmers, cooperatives and enterprises to increase product value and expand consumption markets. The locality focuses on applying clean, organic agriculture and building eco-tourism areas, both developing the economy and protecting the environment...

PROGRESS

Source: https://baobinhduong.vn/huyen-phu-giao-no-luc-phat-trien-nong-nghiep-ben-vung-a348378.html