Areas specializing in safe vegetable production

In response to the increasing demand for safe vegetables from consumers, localities in the province have recently guided farmers to produce according to VietGAP standards; at the same time, promoting linkages and product consumption. This has increased the production value per unit area, contributing to bringing high income efficiency to farmers.

Areas specializing in safe vegetable production Hydroponic vegetable growing model of Phu Loc Agricultural Service Cooperative, Phu Loc commune (Hau Loc).

Coming to Hoang Hop commune, a locality with a tradition of growing vegetables in Hoang Hoa district. This season, the vegetable fields of farmers in the villages of Quy Tho, Thanh Minh, Binh At,... are covered in a lush green color of vegetables, tubers, and fruits such as kohlrabi, cauliflower, cabbage, tomatoes, mustard greens, lettuce, Malabar spinach... and spices.

While trimming kohlrabi to be able to import them to traders, Ms. Le Thi Tam, from Quy Tho village, said: "This vegetable crop, my family grows 1.5 sao of kohlrabi. The entire area is grown and cared for in the direction of clean and safe vegetables. To avoid the situation of vegetables being sold in bulk and not getting a good price, I grow them in a spread-out manner. Currently, half of my family's kohlrabi is being harvested, the rest will be harvested after Tet." According to Ms. Tam, with the import price for traders right at the field of 5,000 VND/root, 1.2 sao of kohlrabi of my family after 40 days will bring in an income of 3.5 million VND.

In addition to Ms. Tam's family, many other families participating in vegetable growing in Hoang Hop commune have realized the importance of growing vegetables in a safe way and spreading out the crops, bringing high income value.

Mr. Nguyen Quang Cong, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Hoang Hop Commune, said: The whole commune currently has 70 hectares of land specializing in growing vegetables such as kohlrabi, cabbage, mustard greens, climbing beans, tomatoes... and spices. To meet the demand for clean vegetables of consumers, households have produced vegetables in a safe direction and have 27.5 hectares of production according to VietGAP standards (planting land and irrigation water sources are guaranteed, using composted organic fertilizers, using pesticides when necessary and strictly following the quarantine period, ensuring safe products for the market). Thanks to that, Hoang Hop commune's vegetable products are widely accepted by consumers. Currently, vegetables produced by people are available at supermarkets, restaurants, collective kitchens and markets in the province.

According to Mr. Cong, growing vegetables can yield many harvests per crop, and people have experience in growing vegetables, especially spreading out the crop, so they can avoid low prices. Thanks to that, the income value of specialized vegetable production areas reaches 220 million VND/ha. Particularly for off-season vegetable growing, the income value can reach over 300 million VND/ha/year or more.

Phu Loc Agricultural Service Cooperative, Phu Loc Commune (Hau Loc) has also built a specialized vegetable growing area and has linked up with many businesses to purchase products. Mr. Hoang Van Toan, Director of Phu Loc Agricultural Service Cooperative, said: On an area of 200 hectares of specialized land, the Cooperative links up with members to purchase products, of which 40 hectares are produced according to VietGAP standards. The crops grown on the specialized land area are mainly sweet corn, potatoes, soybeans, spinach and other leafy vegetables. The Cooperative has signed contracts with 3 businesses to purchase all products, namely Dong Giao Food Export Joint Stock Company (Ninh Binh), Duc Cuong Company Limited (Hai Duong) and Long Phuong Nam Company Limited (Hau Loc).

Grasping the trend and demand for clean products, the cooperative has invested billions of VND to install a greenhouse system, growing racks, and automatic irrigation on an area of 1,000m2 to grow hydroponic vegetables, with vegetables grown including mustard greens, lettuce, celery, etc., mainly serving the people in the commune. From the effectiveness of the linkage as well as the experience and techniques in specialized vegetable cultivation, the income value per hectare of cultivated land in Phu Loc commune has reached about 300 million VND/ha/year up to this point.

Not only the specialized vegetable production areas in the direction of safety in Hoang Hop commune (Hoang Hoa), Phu Loc commune (Hau Loc), but also many models in localities in the province have also been effective, bringing high income value per hectare of cultivated land, thereby contributing to increasing income value for people. Therefore, the province is interested in and directs the construction of specialized vegetable areas and safe production. At the same time, there are policies to support funding to upgrade infrastructure, control costs and certify VietGAP in the spirit of Resolution 185/2021/NQ-HDND of the province on policies for agricultural, rural and farmer development in Thanh Hoa province, period 2022-2025. In 2 years (2022-2023), localities in the province have built 82 hectares of safe vegetables; notably the districts of Hau Loc, Nga Son, Vinh Loc, Yen Dinh, Nong Cong...

Article and photos: Minh Ly

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