A new step forward in organic agriculture development

Developing organic agriculture (OA) has been identified as a breakthrough mission set by the Dong Nai Provincial Party Congress for the 2020–2025 term. To this end, the province has introduced various mechanisms and favorable conditions to attract business investment and support farmers in advancing the sector.

The organic pepper farming model in Nghia Trung Commune yields high economic efficiency. Photo: Binh Nguyen

OA in Dong Nai is gradually affirming its correct and sustainable direction. When the land is revitalized, the environment is protected, and agricultural products are safe, farmers not only increase their income but also protect their own health and that of the community.

Scaling up effective models

In recent years, the entire political system of the province has worked alongside businesses to expand organic farming models across key products such as rice, vegetables, pepper, fruit trees, pigs, and poultry.

In rice cultivation, farmers in Song Ray Commune have taken the lead in adopting organic practices. The model has now expanded to around 20 hectares, establishing a local brand for specialty organic rice. Production follows a “five no’s” standard: no herbicides, no preservatives, no chemical pesticides, no toxic residues, and no growth stimulants.

According to farmer Vi Van Nhat of Song Ray Commune, organic rice cultivation has now proven effective, raising farmers’ awareness and adherence to strict production standards. Without the use of chemical fertilizers or pesticides, the environment is safer and the resulting products are cleaner. Farmers also organize their own distribution channels, allowing them to sell at prices significantly higher than market averages.

To promote organic agriculture and reduce reliance on chemical inputs, Dong Nai has implemented various models applying biological products. These include farmer-led production and use of probiotics (IMO) and MEVI yeast to create organic fertilizers, biological plant protection products, and convert household waste into organic fertilizer. To date, organic production has been expanded to over 1,000 hectares of fruit trees and vegetables.

Although introduced later, the organic rice model of Bau Kien Agricultural Service Cooperative in Thanh Son Commune has rapidly scaled up. From an initial pilot area of 1.5 hectares, the cooperative has expanded to over 30 hectares, attracting more members. Nguyen Thanh Hung, Director of the cooperative, said that by participating in an organic rice production chain linked with Que Lam Group Joint Stock Company (Ho Chi Minh City), members benefit from access to high-quality organic inputs at reasonable prices, technical support in the field, and deferred payment schemes until after harvest. Members are guided by technical staff from the business directly in the fields on clean production processes, so rice yield and quality are always high.

In addition, organic farming models have also expanded across industrial crops and fruit trees. Farmer Nguyen Pham Xuan Vu of Dau Giay Commune noted that transitioning to organic production primarily requires a shift toward prioritizing organic fertilizers, including the use of locally available agricultural by-products to gradually reduce chemical inputs. In pest control, farmers prioritize the use of biological pesticides and products or manual methods for preventing and controlling pests and diseases for crops.

Businesses lead linkage chain development

To date, Dong Nai has established 11 organic agriculture zones covering nearly 19,400 hectares. Provincial and local authorities continue to create favorable policy and environmental conditions to attract businesses and support farmers in building sustainable organic value chains.

More than three years after the provincial People’s Committee and Que Lam Group Joint Stock Company signed a cooperation agreement on organic agriculture development, the program has achieved notable results. Linked production-consumption models have been effectively implemented across key sectors such as rice, fruit, livestock, and poultry.

Nguyen Hong Lam, Chairman of the Vietnam Circular Agriculture Association, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Que Lam Group Joint Stock Company, emphasized that the company’s goal is to “green” agriculture, starting with the application of biotechnology in producing organic fertilizers. The company currently supplies hundreds of thousands of tons of organic and bio-organic fertilizers annually, with average growth of 25–30 percent per year. The company also focuses on developing biotechnology as well as new technologies that are environmentally friendly and protective.

According to Lam, the company has developed an advanced circular agriculture ecosystem that integrates crop production and livestock farming in a closed-loop system. Through participation, farmers gain mastery of technologies and production processes. The company has also gradually transferred organic and bio-organic production techniques to farmers in Dong Nai, while supporting product promotion, branding, market development, and distribution of local organic products.Since 2013, Nedspice Processing Vietnam Ltd. in Dong Tam Commune has partnered with former Binh Phuoc Province to implement a sustainable pepper value chain development program. To date, the initiative has established more than 50 clubs and cooperatives, involving around 2,500 member households across key pepper-growing areas in Dong Nai, including Song Ray, Xuan Loc, Loc Ninh, and Nghia Trung communes. More than 1,000 households have achieved important international certifications, including organic standards.

By Binh Nguyen – Translated by Mai Nga, Thu Ha