Connecting production and trade of specialties of the Northwest highlands

The Northwest is a region with great potential for agricultural and forestry product development thanks to its advantages in climate, soil and biodiversity. Over the past 10 years, the coffee growing area in the region has increased by 54%, output has increased by 265%, along with the strong development of fruit trees and medicinal plants.

Mango processing line at Doveco Son La Vegetable and Fruit Processing Center.

However, the rate of certified quality products is still low; chain linkage, post-harvest processing and preservation are not synchronized, affecting competitiveness in the market. This is the affirmation of Mr. Le Quoc Doanh, former Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (now the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment ), Chairman of the Vietnam Gardening Association at the Forum "Connecting production and trade of agricultural and forestry products in the Northwestern provinces" held on July 1 in Son La.

Promoting the advantages of the highlands, perfecting the value chain of agricultural products in the Northwest

At the forum, delegates focused on discussing solutions for developing chain production, increasing the value of highland agricultural products associated with deep processing, building brands and expanding markets. The forum was organized by the Agriculture and Environment Newspaper in collaboration with the Vietnam Gardening Association, units under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Son La province.

Speaking at the opening of the Forum, Mr. Le Quoc Doanh assessed that the Northwest is a region with great potential for developing agricultural and forestry products thanks to its advantages in climate, soil and biodiversity. Over the past 10 years, the coffee growing area in the region has increased by 54%, output has increased by 265%, along with the strong development of fruit trees and medicinal plants. However, the rate of certified quality products is still low; chain linkage, processing and post-harvest preservation are not synchronized, affecting competitiveness in the market.

Mr. Le Quoc Doanh, former Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (now the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment), Chairman of the Vietnam Gardening Association delivered the opening speech at the forum.

According to Mr. Doanh, the Northwestern provinces need to focus on developing products with competitive advantages; promote the transformation of crop structure, apply science and technology, and strengthen agricultural extension and training. At the same time, it is necessary to build a closed value chain from production to consumption, with close coordination between state agencies, enterprises and localities.

Sharing at the Forum, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Cong, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Son La province, said that in the past 10 years, the locality has converted and newly planted nearly 62,000 hectares of fruit trees.

Currently, the province has more than 120,000 hectares of fruit trees and perennial industrial trees, with corresponding outputs of about 510,000 tons and 102,000 tons. Son La has established 216 export growing area codes, 201 safe product supply chains; more than 5,500 hectares meet VietGAP standards and nearly 30,000 tons of sustainably certified coffee.

Promoting deep processing and applying high technology to improve highland agricultural products

However, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Son La province Cam Thi Phong said that the locality still faces many difficulties such as steep terrain, scattered production, high costs, lack of sustainable contract linkages with businesses, and low deep processing rate.

By 2030, the province aims to stabilize 90,000 hectares of fruit trees and 25,000 hectares of coffee, increase the proportion of areas meeting VietGAP standards, increase the application of water-saving irrigation technology, deep processing, and strive to become an agricultural processing center in the midlands and northern mountainous region.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Cong emphasized that Son La clearly identified that in order to develop sustainably, it must go into depth, increase the content of post-harvest processing and product value. In particular, post-harvest technology will be the decisive factor in the quality and competitiveness of agricultural products. The province prioritizes the development of high-tech agriculture, applying artificial intelligence, environmental sensors, smart irrigation... to increase productivity, reduce costs and meet the requirements of domestic and international markets.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Cong, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Son La province, said that in the past 10 years, the locality has converted and newly planted nearly 62,000 hectares of fruit trees.

Opinions at the Forum unanimously agreed that for the sustainable development of Northwest agriculture, it is necessary to focus on improving production infrastructure, strengthening regional linkages, promoting trade, building brands and digital transformation in value chain management. At the same time, it is necessary to prioritize production planning according to natural conditions, promoting research and application of high technology, especially in pest control, breeding and post-harvest processing.

The forum also spread the spirit of the Campaign "Vietnamese people prioritize using Vietnamese goods", while opening up opportunities for businesses and cooperatives to connect and build an effective supply chain of Northwest agricultural products, reaching further in the international market.

PEARL

Source: https://nhandan.vn/ket-noi-san-xuat-va-thuong-mai-dac-san-vung-cao-tay-bac-post890969.html