Expanding safe food chains

(ĐN)- As an industrial province, Dong Nai leverages its strengths in large-scale, concentrated agricultural production, applying advanced science and technology. The province ranks among the national leaders in building safe crop and livestock zones.

Thanks to proactive policies supporting Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) certification, Dong Nai has steadily expanded safe agricultural product chains. So far this year, 74 effective agricultural production models have been scaled up, with VietGAP-certified crop areas reaching 3,135 hectares, improving both yield and quality. The province maintains five disease-free livestock zones with 657 certified safe farms, plus 110 farms and seven cooperatives certified VietGAP. Aquaculture also thrives with 14 VietGAP-certified zones producing nearly 15,300 tons.

Dong Nai also promotes new-style agricultural cooperatives (HTX) that connect farmers, businesses, and the government to build strong production and supply chains for export-ready quality products. In the first nine months of 2024, eight new HTXs and five cooperatives were established, supporting 23 ongoing linkage projects. To date, 273 production chains involve 127 enterprises, 70 HTXs, 39 cooperatives, and over 15,300 households, with about 45.5% of key agricultural output sold through these chains.

The province runs 50 safety-controlled chains and 331 outlets showcasing safe products such as pork, chicken, duck, eggs, processed meats, vegetables, mushrooms, and dairy. Monthly supply reaches nearly 16,000 tons.

Food safety management remains a priority. Dong Nai monitors organic pig farming models with Ho Chi Minh City’s Que Lam Group, tracking nearly 93,500 pigs for traceability. Inspections cover compliance on animal breeding and environmental protection at 19 large farms. The provincial Agriculture Department regularly holds quality and safety conferences, launches action plans for food safety, and coordinates inter-agency inspections.

According to Deputy Director Tran Lam Sinh, food safety management has decentralized effectively to districts and communes, ensuring close supervision. Inspection and enforcement are increasingly thorough, with prompt consumer warnings. The food safety system in agriculture is improving steadily, with better safety conditions at production sites and more informed consumers. Safe vegetable cultivation, large-scale livestock farming, and food trade have all expanded year by year.

Reported by B. Nguyen