Truong An Cooperative looks to gain VietGap standard certification

Pilot model of vegetable production certified by VietGap at Truong An vegetable cooperative.

    Since its establishment in Dec.,2005 with 11 members, the licensed areas of 8 hectares for safe vegetable production and the regulatory capital of VND 250 million, after 5-year efforts in development, Truong An vegetable cooperative has owned the safe vegetable production area up to 14.5ha. 50% of such areas is developed by cooperative members in respect of facilities such as net house, automatic irrigation. “When it was initially founded, the cooperative faced many difficulties in facilities, capital and particularly product outlet. However, due to correct direction and common efforts made by residents, the cooperative is now having 18 members. We are planning to increase 30 members by late 2011 and expand more 25 ha for safe vegetable production. The expected average productivity achieves by 74 tons/ha/year. Statistically, total amount of safe vegetable sold in 2010 estimated 1,600 tons and the turnover of more than VND 4.5 billion”, said Mr. Vo Van Chuong.

Head of Truong An cooperative, Vo Van Vuong, is talking about preliminary processing and packaging stages.

    Based on recent results, in Oct.,2010, Truong An Cooperative is selected to run the pilot model to produce safe vegetable in accordance with VietGap standard, managed by Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in association with the project of building and monitoring produce’s quality in terms of the pilot modeling of GPPs for Dong Nai’s safe vegetable industry. The cooperative is sponsored with a sum of nearly VND 320 million to upgrade preliminary processing house and food hygiene stage to meet VietGap standard. Mr. Ban Minh Bau, Deputy Director of Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, noted that it is not suprising thatTruong An cooperative is chosen to run pilot model as it has potential natural conditions that are fairly good to grow safe vegetable. Except for pilot model on vegetable, the project applies the pilot model on pork and chicken meat as well. Technological process and food safety are strictly guaranteed for all produce. Mr. Vuong added that the cooperative has recently entered into agreement for 2 vegetable commodities such as cabbage and sweet vegetable. However, if the cultivating rotation is not performed to meet supermarket’s demands, vegetable crops are likely to be risked by many diseases. Therefore, the cooperative’s productivity can provide about 5 tons/day and the balanced purchase from supermarket can facilitate the outlet for all produces. Presently, imported vegetable for free market is worth VND 3,000-4,000/kg, equivalent to VND 6,000kg selling at supermarkets due to high cost caused by the production in accordance with safe standards.

On the way to obtain VietGap-accredited safe vegetable, the cooperative will rely on members’ contribution and project budget to build 300m preliminary processing house worth more than VND 300 million, which can meet processing and packaging standards in compliance with VietGap process. “In the upcoming time, the Cooperative will continue to cooperate with agricultural sector to promote the VietGap accredited cooperative for the purpose of building a firm image of Truong An vegetable in customers and supermarkets”, further said Heald of the Cooperative.