Removing “bottlenecks” to develop organic agriculture

Monitoring the implementation of Resolution No. 05/2023/NQ-HDND, issued by the Dong Nai Provincial People’s Council (now the Dong Nai City People’s Council) on July 14, 2023, on policies supporting organic agricultural production in several localities, the Dong Nai City Farmers’ Association’s monitoring team found that several organic farming models have been established, laying an initial foundation for expanding organic production.

Leaders of the Dong Nai City Farmers’ Association visit an organic pepper-growing model in Song Ray Commune.

However, the transition continues to face challenges related to production procedures, funding, technical know-how, and market access. Addressing these “bottlenecks” will be crucial to expanding organic farming in the coming years.

Strong potential for organic agriculture

In Song Ray Commune, organic farming has made more visible progress than in some other localities. Bui Trung Dong, Vice Chairman of the commune People’s Committee, said the locality has developed several organic-oriented models involving pepper, rice, and durian.

Notably, nearly 18 hectares managed by the Song Ray Organic Pepper Cooperative Group have been converted from conventional to organic production for six crop seasons, from 2020 to 2026. Members meet regularly, while all participating households use Indigenous Microorganisms (IMO) preparations in production. A survey by the Vietnam Certification Centre (QUACERT) found that a household farming 2.2 hectares met the requirements for certification under European Union standards. However, because the pepper had already been harvested by the time the 2026 inspection and assessment took place, the parties agreed to proceed with certification in 2027.

Alongside pepper, Song Ray has also developed an organic-oriented rice production model in cooperation with agricultural authorities and Que Lam Group JSC. The cumulative area has reached nearly 66 hectares. The commune also has one household growing one hectare of durian using organic-oriented methods.

Access to support policies, however, remains limited. Local authorities said assistance requires a project approved by the competent authorities, while most organic producers are individual households, individuals, or cooperative groups, making project development difficult. Production procedures and input and fertilizer standards for individual crops have also yet to be clearly defined. Meanwhile, organic farming costs more, while returns have yet to match the investment, providing little incentive for farmers to make the transition.

In Ta Lai Commune, the transition to organic agriculture remains at the review and preparation stage. Acting Chairman of the commune People’s Committee Nguyen Pham Tuyen said the locality has conducted public awareness campaigns, assessed demand, prepared applications, and coordinated surveys, sampling, training, certification, and inspections. Despite having more than 5,100 hectares of perennial crops, including over 4,300 hectares of fruit trees, Ta Lai currently has no production area or product certified as organic.

In Nam Cat Tien Commune, Deputy Chairman Nguyen Hong Nguyen said the locality has strong potential for commodity agriculture, particularly durian and other fruit crops. Some farmers have already reduced chemical use, increased the use of organic fertilizers and biological products, and made greater use of agricultural by-products. However, converting fully to organic production remains difficult. Traditional farming practices persist, while demand for organic products remains unstable and prices are often too low to encourage farmers to invest.

Clearing the way for organic farming

Based on the monitoring findings, local authorities said the policy needs to be made more effective across the entire transition, from production and certification to marketing.

Acting Chairman Nguyen Pham Tuyen of Ta Lai Commune called for authorities to issue clear production and conversion guidelines for each crop, tailored to different soil types and water conditions. He also proposed standardized criteria for screening production areas and producers, along with unified application templates to make implementation easier at the commune level.

For Nam Cat Tien, Deputy Chairman Nguyen Hong Nguyen proposed developing pilot organic-oriented production models linked to key crops, planting-area codes, traceability systems, the One Commune One Product (OCOP) program, and partnerships with businesses to market the products. Such models would give farmers practical examples to learn from while strengthening links between production and the market.

Meanwhile, Song Ray Commune Deputy Chairman Bui Trung Dong called for simplified procedures and application forms for support, including certification, soil improvement, and organic fertilizers. He also proposed increasing budget allocations and integrating existing programs to provide timely assistance to farmers and cooperatives. The commune also called for the development of large-scale specialized farming areas linked to planting-area codes and direct connections with modern distribution systems, alongside stronger technical guidance on organic cultivation and biological pest management.

Experience from localities shows that developing organic agriculture requires more than financial support. It also depends on clear technical standards, suitable production zones, support from agricultural specialists, and, above all, stable markets for organic products.

According to Ta Lai Commune authorities, long-standing reliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticides, fragmented production, and the intermixing of chemical-based farming areas make it difficult to control sources of contamination. Meanwhile, surveying and certification costs, as well as the expense of establishing management systems, remain high. Meanwhile, product markets are unstable, and no businesses have committed to purchasing at prices sufficient to cover conversion costs.

By Pham Hue – Translated by Mai Nga, Minho