Binh Thuan to promote dragon fruit production-consumption chains

According to reports from department of Agriculture and Rural Development, under the agreement between Binh Thuan province with Nafoods Group, many chains of dragon fruit production –consumption under GlobalGAP standards have been initially set up in the districts of HamThuan Bac, Ham Thuan Nam, Bac Binh and Tuy Phong, with 158 hectares of 22 farmers’households.

However, the performance of cooperation agreement has met a number of difficulties due to issues relating to cultivation land. After reviewing land fund across the province, department of Agriculture and Rural Development has found it’s difficult to provide  enough land area (200-500 hectares) as requirements of the company to carry out dragon fruit production and consumption chains.  

Speaking at the meeting, deputy Secretary Huynh Thanh Canh highly appreciated Nafoods Groups for its commitment on dragon fruit sustainable production in Binh Thuan. Over the past one year, the agreement has brought certain results. He emphasized that both sides should set up plans to step up work. In particular, Nafoods Groups should invest in cold storage to handle with dragon fruit preservation; coordinatte with functional bodies to make surveys to seek for suitable land fund; and consider the plan to build a factory to process products from dragon fruit cultivated in binh Thuan.

As for the development of a hi-tech dragon fruit production area, the deputy Secretary Huynh Thanh Canh asked the company closely work with departments, agencies and localities to outline the steps that could be implemented within 2020. At the same time, Nafoods Groups also needs to hold training courses on technique transfer of GlobalGAP production standards, and standadized techniques in  dragon fruit cultivation as well as disease management for dragon fruit growers. Plans to purchase dragon fruit for export should be set up to ensure the output for this local production.

Reportedly, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Binh Thuan and Nafoods Group was signed in March, 2019 to develop a safe and organic growing area for red-flesh and white-flesh dragon fruit in Binh Thuan for exports and processing. The signing ceremony had the presence of Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Ngoc Hai. The agreement is expected to creat linkages between dragon fruit production and consumption via a value chain with a total land area of at least 10,000 hectares and a total investment capital of VND 2 trillion. The implementation period is between 2019 and 2023.

Translated by Phuong Lan (Source: Binh Thuan Online)