Ba Ria – Vung Tau: Organic pepper production for export
Nov
To develop clean and safe raw material areas, many farming households and cooperatives in Chau Duc district have linked up to produce organic pepper, targeting the export market.
Choose clean production direction
Mr. Tran Xuan Tho, a farmer in Son Lap village (Son Binh commune) has been growing pepper for decades. Thanks to organic farming, 8.5 sao of pepper grown on acacia and cotton trees has brought a stable annual income for his family.
In the 2024 pepper crop, Mr. Tho harvested nearly 4 tons of dry pepper. “ In the past 3 years, I have switched to organic care, reducing investment costs. Although the yield is not high, in return, the pepper plants grow well and sell for a higher price. Previously, many growers used excessive chemicals in traditional farming, leading to many consequences for the environment, the land quickly became barren and affected human health ,” said Mr. Tho.
Mr. Bui Thanh Hung, in Song Cau village (Nghia Thanh commune) also clearly saw the value and effectiveness of organic pepper cultivation . In the 2024 crop, despite being affected by prolonged hot weather, the 6-sao pepper garden grew well and harvested 2.5 tons of dry beans. Mr. Hung said that although the yield was not as good as traditional cultivation, there was no crop failure, the plants were not sick, and did not weaken after harvest.
“ I see that organic farming has many benefits. When we do organic farming, we do not use chemicals that are harmful to human health. Regarding plants, we do not use toxic chemicals, so the soil remains fertile and lush for plants to grow ,” Mr. Hung added.
According to Mr. Than Xuan Dong, Vice Chairman of the Farmers’ Association of Chau Duc district, the conversion to clean and organic farming methods has partly restored the position of pepper plants. Through the actual inspection of the Farmers’ Association of the district, currently most households cultivating clean and organic pepper standards have stable incomes, are committed to long-term cultivation and can live well from this crop.
Sustainable Development Link
Recently, through the formation of cooperative models and cooperatives for sustainable pepper production, many participating households have had the opportunity to exchange and access techniques for growing and caring for pepper plants in an organic manner. In particular, when participating in the models, farmers will ensure a source of output for products and stable prices.
Mr. Ngo Xuan Son, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director of the Comprehensive Rich Organic Cooperative, shared that the majority of members of the cooperative are farmers who have been growing pepper for many years. Thanks to the propaganda and mobilization of the District Farmers' Association, 7 farmer households in the district, Dong Nai province and Ho Chi Minh City have joined forces to produce organic pepper, with the desire to increase product value and move towards sustainable production.
Since its inception, the cooperative has zoned off nearly 50 hectares of adjacent farming households in Xuan Son, Son Binh and Suoi Rao communes to form a raw material area. Participating households must comply with technical instructions and strict supervision by the cooperative's environmental control board.
According to Mr. Do Chi Khoi, Head of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Chau Duc district, the whole district has 5,077 hectares of pepper; the harvested area is 4,928 hectares, the output reaches 9,856 tons of dry pepper/crop.
Chau Duc district sets the goal of forming organic pepper production areas by 2025, creating a source of high-quality agricultural products; forming production chains associated with the consumption of organic agricultural products, meeting domestic consumption and export needs.
According to Mr. Son, before establishing the cooperative, he and some members had more than 5 years of organic pepper production. “ For many years, I have not abused chemical fertilizers and pesticides to take care of the pepper garden, but mainly used biological products to help prevent nematodes and root-damaging fungi. Since producing organically, well water is no longer polluted as before. The rate of dead plants in the garden has decreased to only 3-5%; the cost of buying fertilizer has also decreased compared to before… ”, Mr. Son added.
According to the plan, in the 2025-2027 period, the cooperative will have a raw material area of 100 hectares of pepper; in the 2028-2030 period, the cooperative will produce about 500 hectares of pepper in an organic direction. Currently, the cooperative has signed a contract to purchase organic pepper output with Organics More Company. In addition, in the district, there are also Phuc Thinh Import-Export Investment Joint Stock Company (PTEXIM CORP), Harris Freeman Vietnam Company Limited, which are cooperating to purchase dry pepper from farmers in large quantities.
According to Ba Ria - Vung Tau Newspaper
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