According to the People's Committee of Son La province, in the first six months of 2024, Son La's fruit production for export reached approximately 12,200 tons, with an estimated value of nearly 82 billion VND. Some products that had already entered the market in previous years are gradually becoming Son La's export strengths, such as: mangoes (7,600 tons), bananas (4,560 tons), and passion fruit (37 tons)...

In the first six months of the year, many of Son La province's characteristic fruits and vegetables were exported for the first time as many new markets opened up. For example, at the beginning of the year, the first dragon fruits from Ngoc Hoang Agricultural Cooperative in Na Bo commune, Mai Son district, were exported to Scotland. Shortly after, 5 tons of red-fleshed dragon fruit from farmers in Chieng Pha commune, Thuan Chau district, were also officially exported to Italy through Ngoc Hoang Agricultural Cooperative. In the 2024 plum season, 10 tons of Ruby Son La plums from Noong Pieu Local Agricultural Products Cooperative in Phieng Khoai commune, Yen Chau district, were exported to demanding markets such as Germany, the UK, France, and the Czech Republic at an average price of 250,000-300,000 VND…

With over 84,000 hectares of fruit trees, Son La is emerging as the fruit-growing capital of Northern Vietnam.

From 2017 to the present, the area of ​​land planted with fruit trees and the fruit production in Son La have continuously increased, currently reaching nearly 85,000 hectares; fruit production reached 453,554 tons, an increase of 91.2% in area and 210.5% in production (307,489 tons) compared to 2017. Several major fruit trees have high commercial value and have formed concentrated production areas, such as: longan in Song Ma and Mai Son districts; mango in Yen Chau; custard apple in Mai Son; plum and avocado in Moc Chau district; hawthorn in Muong La, Bac Yen, and Thuan Chau districts. The province currently has 5 high-tech agricultural zones; 2,714 hectares of crops apply good agricultural practices and equivalent standards, with a production of 43,570 tons/year; and 8,200 hectares are organically grown or cultivated using organic farming methods.

With these advantages, over the years Son La has strengthened the issuance and strict management of planting area codes for fruit trees in particular, and agricultural exports in general. With fierce competition among agricultural products in the global market today, granting traceability certifications for internationally recognized agricultural products has become essential for the agricultural sector. Planting area codes are considered a crucial passport for agricultural exports. Therefore, establishing planting area codes is crucial to building consumer confidence in products with clear origins and guaranteed quality, serving market demands and contributing to the global reach of agricultural products.

Granting planting area codes not only helps consumers and authorities easily trace the origin of agricultural products, meeting the requirements of importing countries through controlled pest production processes and ensuring food safety, but also helps farmers become aware of the close relationship between production and product quality and price. At the same time, this can be considered a "key" in building trust in the quality and reputation of Vietnamese agricultural products in general on the international market, as well as benefiting the economic interests of farmers.

In the first six months of 2024, the province maintained 214 planting area codes, including 205 export planting area codes and 9 crop planting area codes, with a total area of ​​3,121.81 hectares. The 205 export planting area codes are currently being maintained for various markets, including: 119 codes for export to China; 30 codes for export to the United States; 41 codes for export to Australia; 9 codes for export to New Zealand; 3 codes for export to the EU; and 3 codes for export to other markets.

Total number of crops granted export codes: Mangoes 69 codes, longan 108 codes, bananas 16 codes, plums 5 codes, macadamia nuts 1 code, dragon fruit 2 codes, passion fruit 4 codes. Nine codes for crop-growing areas are maintained: Plums 2 codes, longan 2 codes, mangoes 2 codes, coffee 1 code, vegetables and strawberries 1 code, rice 1 code. Eleven codes for agricultural product packaging facilities are maintained: Son La City 4 codes, Mai Son 3 codes, Song Ma 1 code, Yen Chau 1 code, Moc Chau 2 codes. Packaged products include longan, mangoes, macadamia nuts, and passion fruit.

The entire province has monitored 188 planting area codes, including: 74 mango planting area codes, 109 longan planting area codes, and 5 plum planting area codes. These were implemented in the districts of Van Ho, Moc Chau, Yen Chau, Mai Son, Bac Yen, Song Ma, Thuan Chau, Muong La, and the city. As a result, 182 planting area codes met the criteria to continue operating, while 6 codes were recommended for revocation to allow for conversion to other crops.

Relevant agencies need to step up training to disseminate information and guide localities and establishments in establishing planting areas that meet the requirements for code issuance.

To protect and maintain the registration numbers for growing areas and packaging facilities, in addition to monitoring by management agencies, businesses and farmers must view these as assets and consciously protect them. If they detect any violations, they must notify the relevant authorities to protect their registration numbers. Relevant agencies need to intensify training to disseminate information and guide localities and facilities in establishing growing areas that meet the requirements for registration. Initially, focus should be placed on establishing registration numbers for growing areas serving domestic consumption. Once supply chains are established and markets are secured, then expand to exports.

Continue advising the province on issuing mechanisms and policies to support localities in establishing planting area codes. Strengthen production linkages for farmers in planting areas granted export codes; proactively improve garden sanitation, maintain records and documents documenting all interventions in the garden, monitor the detection and treatment of pests in the garden, and track the use of pesticides and fertilizers.

In the coming period, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, in coordination with other departments, agencies, and localities, will continue to implement Plan No. 263/KH-UBND dated November 8, 2023, of the Son La Provincial People's Committee on the establishment, issuance, management, and supervision of planting area codes and export agricultural product packaging facilities in Son La province in 2024; and Decision No. 3156/QD-BNN-TT dated August 19, 2022, of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on the issuance of temporary guidance documents on the issuance and management of planting area codes; and Official Letter No. 6234/BNN-TT dated September 20, 2022, of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on the issuance and management of planting area codes.

Organize propaganda and training for farmers in communes that have achieved new rural status and those planned for advanced new rural status on establishing, managing, and monitoring planting area codes and packaging facilities for export. Strive to issue 36 new planting area codes, reaching the target of 250 planting area codes throughout the province, and monitor 23 planting area codes and 2 packaging facilities.

 

Source: thiennhienmoitruong.vn