"How can you interact with farmers by just talking to them?"

Bananas are currently his main export crop, so are there any loopholes in the management of the cultivation process?

- According to the procedure, when a banana tree bears fruit, the seedlings must be two months old to be used as a buffer. However, we haven't been able to fully achieve this yet. Several factors are causing difficulties, such as: techniques, cultivation methods for acidic soil, banana varieties, and the market... In theory, it's fine, but there's a certain gap between theory and practice. We still need to strive and make many adjustments to ensure that theory and practice are synchronized and implemented in reality.

So, does this affect the quality of the bananas?

No, it only affects productivity.

Given poor management, why did he decide to partner with farmers in Dong Nai to grow bananas?

- I'm giving the banana plant an extra point for its collaboration with banana farmers in Dong Nai. I think there's a mutual benefit. Banana farmers in Dong Nai are changing their banana cultivation process. They're following my lead to improve the plant's quality and yield. As direct producers, I know what to discard, what to correct, and what to complement each other…

Business partnerships between enterprises and farmers are facing a problem of broken agreements. How would you solve this problem?

- I've noticed that the farmers in Dong Nai who do business with us are all doing well. Some have experienced increased production costs, but others are doing quite well. They've also tried using bio-fertilizers or other products to treat leaf spot disease on banana plants. This shows that trust is deeply ingrained in the hearts and minds of each farmer. It means we're showing our gratitude and the close relationship between farmers and businesses. I work with farmers with the heart of a farmer, not through any loopholes. I find them easy to approach and not difficult at all.

If we want to bring a business together with farmers, what factors do you think are necessary?

- I think that if the government wants to attract businesses to work with farmers, those businesses need to ensure certain criteria: technical processes, seeds, capital, market access… Other factors may or may not be present, but market access is mandatory.

If you enter the market and it's not favorable, having a business is pointless, and contract breaches are inevitable. You can't just talk to farmers. If you dare to play the game, don't blame the market, storms, etc., and then run away, abandoning the farmers. Farmers and businesses must demonstrate responsibility in every clause of the contract.

Now farmers are complaining that they can't sell their durians to China. What do you think about that?

- China isn't buying durian, so how can we sell it? Previously, we mainly sold agricultural products to China through unofficial channels. Now that's no longer possible, so we can't sell substandard goods there anymore. Farmers need to change their production processes, gradually improve the quality and design, and meet the requirements for official export to China. The market is becoming increasingly difficult, so if we want to compete, we must meet market demands; otherwise, we'll be left behind. At this point, the government must open up trade programs for Vietnamese agricultural products.

So, how is your business operating in this context?

- I'm different; I do what's difficult to avoid market saturation and competition. For example, the bananas I grow are VietGAP certified, with a registered growing area code and an export code, and I'll continue to pursue GlobalGAP certification. All the fruits I grow, and the cows I raise, must also meet GlobalGAP standards to be able to export to demanding markets.

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