Journey of identifying agricultural products in Mai Chau district

Recently, Thanh Nganh tea products of Huong Xuan Cooperative, Mai Hich Commune (Mai Chau) have participated in many trade promotion activities inside and outside the province.

Mai Chau district has long been famous for its terraced fields and typical products imbued with the spirit of the Northwest. But only when Mai Ha commune’s watermelons were certified by VietGAP and given a growing area code, when Pa Co black chickens were given traceability stamps, or Mai Chau rice had a collective brand and was widely promoted… did people begin to see the journey of “making agricultural products with a name” here.

A series of specialty products such as Lau Sieu wine, Dam Xanh fish, Van Mai sour bamboo shoots, Pa Co chayote... are being supported by the district to identify through the One Commune One Product Program - OCOP, building collective brands, certified brands... and putting them on e-commerce platforms. By the end of 2024, the district had 18 OCOP products standardized and re-standardized, with 4 products in 2021, 1 product in 2022, 4 products in 2023 and 9 products in 2024. Supporting the development of growing area codes, attaching traceability stamps, designing labels... is Mai Chau's way of bringing agricultural products beyond the framework of "market goods" to enter modern shelves.

Green hemp is a vivid example. In 2022, this plant was planted in 3 communes of Tan Thanh, Son Thuy, and Xam Khoe with an area of ​​over 64 hectares. Once unfamiliar with Mai Chau land, green hemp quickly took root thanks to the purchase agreement with An Phuoc Agricultural Joint Stock Company - one of the pioneers in signing long-term contracts, supporting seeds, techniques, and stable output for farmers. Despite difficulties in the supply chain, An Phuoc has now returned to regular purchases, helping farmers feel secure in keeping their land and their jobs.

With a farming process that ensures standards, harvesting and preservation that meet technical requirements, Mai Chau green hemp is highly appreciated by the contracting unit. According to Mr. Dinh Van Kiem, Chairman of Tan Thanh Commune People's Committee, for newly planted green hemp, the yield of dry hemp bark harvested in the first year is from 1.1 - 2.1 tons/ha, the income value is from 45 - 80 million VND/ha/year. For trees grown with roots, the yield is from 3 - 3.6 tons/ha/year, the income value is from 120 - 145 million VND. Thus, it can be seen that the income from green hemp is 2.5 - 4 times higher than that from growing corn and cassava in the same area.

Along with the standardization process are efforts to promote value chain linkages. From the production and consumption models of high-quality rice in Mai Hich commune, to the green ramie chain linked with An Phuoc Company, or Thanh Nganh tea products of Huong Xuan Cooperative (Mai Hich)... all are organized in the direction of having accompanying businesses, cooperatives as bridges, and having clear consumption contracts. Although not yet widespread, it is a necessary step to escape the situation of "good harvest, low price".

More noteworthy is the shift in farming thinking. From valuing output, farmers are now starting to get used to the concept of "high quality - production according to order - traceable origin". They do not only grow according to their own wishes, but also grow according to market demand. Many households have accessed QR codes, e-commerce and digital platforms. According to the People's Committee of Mai Chau district, in the past 3 years, many training courses on digital transformation in agriculture have been organized in Pa Co, Hang Kia, Tan Thanh communes..., instructing people to use smartphones to create traceability codes, livestream to sell agricultural products, and access e-commerce platforms. From the initial confusion, people have gradually become more confident in new ways of doing things.

However, according to Mr. Ha Trung Thao, Vice Chairman of Mai Chau District People's Committee, there are still many obstacles such as limited capital, fragmented land, and limited consumption market, which limit the process of identifying agricultural products in the district, but the important thing is that a new door has opened. When agricultural products have names, standards, and connections, they can not only sell their products, but also increase their value. That is how Mai Chau is writing its own position on the agricultural map, not only within the province.

Hai Yen

Source: https://baohoabinh.com.vn/319/199922/Hanh-trinh-dinh-danh-san-pham-nong-san-hang-hoa-o-huyen-Mai-Chau.htm