Growing organic pepper, price 20 - 30% higher than market

DAK NONG In recent years, pepper from Binh Tien Cooperative has not only been exported but also sold at a price 20-30% higher than the market price due to the application of organic farming processes.

DAK NONG In recent years, pepper from Binh Tien Cooperative has not only been exported but also sold at a price 20-30% higher than the market price due to the application of organic farming processes.

Binh Tien Organic Pepper Cooperative (Nam Binh Commune, Dak Song District, Dak Nong) was established by Mr. Dong Xuan Lien (64 years old) in 2017 with 45 initial members and more than 100 hectares of pepper. To date, the number of members has increased to 68, and the total pepper growing area has also increased to nearly 200 hectares. In addition to pepper, the Cooperative also has a number of fruit trees and medicinal plants such as avocado, durian, black turmeric, and Bo Chinh ginseng.

Right from the beginning, Mr. Lien oriented the cooperative towards organic farming and built production areas according to VietGAP and RainForest processes (sustainable agriculture standards). Currently, the cooperative has pepper areas certified by VietGAP and organic, Nam Binh Tien black pepper products are certified by 3-star OCOP. In addition to supplying the domestic market, Nam Binh pepper products are also exported to many countries.

Mr. Dong Xuan Lien, Director of Binh Tien Organic Pepper Cooperative. Photo: Hong Thuy.

Mr. Dong Xuan Lien, Director of the Cooperative, said that more than ten years ago, when pepper prices were sky high, farmers abused chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and exhausted land resources, leading to a series of pepper gardens becoming sick and dying. Therefore, he established the Binh Tien Organic Pepper Cooperative with the desire to restore soil health, protect the environment, people, and develop sustainably, increasing the value of pepper.

“This is the right and only direction. In 2021, the cooperative's pepper products were granted a certificate of geographical indication registration for black pepper, red pepper, and white pepper products by the Intellectual Property Office and are protected throughout Dak Nong province. This is the 111th geographical indication in the country and the first in Dak Nong province. That is the motivation for farmers to raise awareness and responsibility in building a sustainable pepper production area, maintaining the title, and enhancing the position of Dak Nong pepper. Currently, the cooperative's products are not only well received but also priced 20-30% higher than the market price,” said Mr. Lien.

Mr. Le Van Duoc, the first member to join the cooperative with 6 hectares of pepper, said that at first he cultivated pepper in the traditional way, although he rarely used fertilizers and chemicals for pepper, the products were still sold according to the market, the price fluctuated. Since joining the cooperative and cultivating organically, the products have a higher price than the market by 10-15 thousand VND/kg and are purchased by the cooperative, so he does not have to worry about the output. Another important thing is that he feels healthier and happier when his garden is not contaminated with toxic substances from fertilizers and chemicals.

Mr. Ho Gam, Chairman of the Dak Nong Farmers' Association, is very pleased with the way Binh Tien Organic Pepper Cooperative works. Photo: Hong Thuy.

Similarly, Ms. Pham Thi Anh’s family in Village 8 (Nam Binh Commune) has nearly 3 hectares of pepper. In 2020, after joining Binh Tien Organic Pepper Cooperative, she switched from traditional to organic farming. Initially, the pepper showed signs of “weakening”, but after 2 years, the pepper vines began to recover and grow strongly.

“I was fertilizing with chemical fertilizers, then gradually reduced the amount of fertilizer and stopped completely, causing the pepper plants to weaken and look weak. However, gradually everything improved. Now the pepper garden is completely organic but has grown well, giving high yields like chemical farming before, while the quality of the pepper is higher, the investment cost is reduced. Not to mention the product is safe and of good quality, so the selling price is higher,” said Ms. Anh.

Thanks to the fertile basalt soil, the mineral content of Dak Nong pepper is higher than that of other pepper growing regions, so it is highly appreciated by domestic and foreign markets. Therefore, Dak Nong is one of the localities with the largest pepper output in Vietnam.

"In recent years, Dak Nong pepper has gradually affirmed its brand in the international market, opening up many great opportunities to enhance sustainable value as pepper growers are gradually changing their farming and production practices towards organic direction, towards international integration," said Mr. Ho Gam, Chairman of Dak Nong Farmers' Association.

Source: https://nongsanviet.nongnghiep.vn/trong-tieu-huu-co-gia-cao-hon-thi-truong-20--30-d408740.html