Building Dong Nai organic agricultural brand

(ĐN)- Developing organic agriculture is one of the key breakthrough tasks set out by the 2020–2025 Dong Nai provincial Party Congress. Accordingly, organic production models have been continuously expanded.

Enterprises, cooperatives, production groups, and farmers investing in organic or organic-oriented agriculture are highly focused on building a brand for Dong Nai’s organic products based on quality and credibility. At the same time, these models have started forming supply chains that connect production with consumption markets, aiming for sustainable development.

Diverse product range

So far, Dong Nai has developed nine certified organic farming models covering a total of 28.7 hectares. Organic agricultural products are increasingly diverse, including pepper, durian, pomelo, watermelon, guava, papaya, chili, and various vegetables. Additionally, 17.8 hectares of pepper and 3 hectares of vegetables are currently transitioning toward organic certification.

The province also has 107 organic-oriented agricultural models with over 855.5 hectares, and 15 organic-oriented production zones totaling nearly 1,600 hectares—five times the goal set for 2025. Currently, Dong Nai has 1 enterprise, 4 cooperatives, 17 production groups, and 108 households engaged in organic-oriented farming. Certified and organic-oriented products are well received in the market, fetching higher prices than conventional goods.

Notable organic-oriented zones include: the pepper region in Lam San (Cam My District) with 300 hectares; the rice fields in Phu Binh (Tan Phu District) with 168 hectares; the rice area in Song Ray (Cam My District) with 50 hectares; and aquaculture under forest canopy in Phuoc An (Nhon Trach District) with 334 hectares. These regions have adequate infrastructure—roads, irrigation, and electricity—to support production. Farmers in these areas have minimized the use of chemicals, opting instead for probiotics (IMO) and fermented yeast (MEVI) to process agricultural by-products into organic inputs for farming.

According to Tran Lam Sinh, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dong Nai has implemented various supportive policies to encourage organic agriculture, such as identifying eligible land, subsidizing certification costs (Vietnamese and international standards), providing organic materials, and supporting traceability and advertising. From 2021 to 2023, the province allocated nearly VND 19.5 billion to analyze soil and water samples to guide and manage organic farming while improving soil fertility.

Establishing supply chains

Many organic and organic-oriented farming models have developed linked production-consumption chains, with some certified under the OCOP (One Commune One Product) program.

At Doc Mo Farm Cooperative (Gia Tan 3 Commune, Thong Nhat District), Director Hoang Cong Phuoc shared that despite receiving organic certification only recently, the cooperative already supplies a wide range of clean food products such as pork, beef, goat, fish, and poultry. It also offers over 20 seasonal organic processed products. These are sold in monthly food subscription packages to loyal customers seeking safe food.

To challenge the outdated perception that organic farming is “financially unappealing,” which hinders the growth of NNHC in Vietnam, the cooperative is promoting a Social Value Agriculture model. Popular and successful in developed countries, this approach creates a livable, green environment while offering organic food and eco-tourism services—especially weekend getaways and long-term stays for the elderly.

At a recent mid-term conference reviewing the three-year implementation of Plan No. 110-KH/TU (dated 31/12/2021) on developing high-tech, organic agriculture linked with processing industries and market consumption through 2025, Ho Thanh Son, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, emphasized the need to scale up clean, organic, ecological, circular, and high-tech agriculture. This includes stronger food safety monitoring, eliminating unsafe products, protecting consumers, and promoting organic products to the market.

He also highlighted the crucial role of the Department of Industry and Trade in providing timely market information, price trends, and short- and long-term forecasts to help farmers adjust their production scale and balance supply and demand. Furthermore, Dong Nai aims to enhance international cooperation in agricultural trade and investment promotion.

Reported by B.Nguyen