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We're thrilled to share the exciting news that Muhak Trading proudly represented Vietnam as one of the 10 companies at the recent South Korea Food Expo, IFFE 2023 spotlighted in this article! 🌐 ✨ Key Highlights: 1. E-news of Industry and Trade https://congthuong.vn/10-doanh-nghiep-dak-lak-xuc-tien-thuong-mai-tai-han-quoc-281344.html https://ttdn.vn/hoi-nhap-va-phat-trien/kinh-te-dau-tu/10-doanh-nghiep-dak-lak-xuc-tien-thuong-mai-tai-han-quoc-89660 🌶 Showcased our finest products at an international platform. 🌏 Connected with industry buyers and explored the latest culinary trends. 🏆 Honored to be featured among the distinguished companies from Dak Lak. We would like to express our sincere appreciation to our clients for their continuous support. Stay tuned as we bring back inspired ideas and new flavors from this enriching experience! Thank you for making Muhak Trading as today! 🌍🌶 #MuhakTrading #SouthKoreaFoodExpo #IFFE21 #CulinaryInnovations #GlobalRecognition #QualityFirst

Monday- 08:59, 27/06/2022 (VAN) Great difficulties in cashew kernels export this year have prompted the Vietnam Cashew Association (Vinacas) to request a reduction in export quotas. Cashew kernel exports are facing many difficulties. At the Conference on Reviewing Cashew Business and Production in the first six months of 2022, organized by Vinacas on June 26, Mr. Tran Van Hiep, Vice Chairman of Vinacas said that over the first five months of 2022, cashew kernel exports reached more than 206 thousand tons, worth over $1.19 billion. Consequently, cashew nuts have entered the list of billion-dollar export items during the first five months of the year. However, compared to the same period last year, cashew kernel exports decreased in quantity and value, decreasing 7.81% and 6.81%, respectively. Explaining this, Mr. Ta Quang Huyen, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Hoang Son 1 Joint Stock Company, said that in 2021, as Vietnam has to implement social distancing to prevent Covid-19, importers of cashew kernels were afraid of production disrupt in Vietnam. In response, they increased imports by 18% in quantity (the average increase is only about 10-12%/year). Due to strong imports in 2021, cashew kernels in import markets are still in storage. Additionally, due to Covid-19 in Vietnam being under control, importers are no longer worried about supply disruption and not in a hurry to make purchases in the first few months of this year. Vinacas said that the amount of imported raw cashew nuts decreased sharply (down 35% in the first five months of the year) due to the price of raw cashew nuts being very high compared to cashew kernels price. It is also an important reason affecting the export of cashew kernels. The Russia-Ukraine conflict also affected cashew kernel exports in the first half of this year. In 2021, Russia was the 11th largest market of Vietnam's cashew kernel exports, with a turnover of $61.8 million. In addition, Vietnamese cashew kernels are also strongly contested by many other nuts such as almonds, walnuts,… According to Vinacas, the export of cashew kernels in the last months of the year will still face many difficulties due to high global inflation causing a decrease in purchasing power, China continues to maintain the policy of "Zero Covid", and shipping rates remain high… It is forecasted that these factors will reduce the number of cashew kernels exported in the coming months, which may last until the end of the year. Consequently, after discussing and considering, Vinacas requested MARD to adjust the export target of cashew kernels this year to $3.2 billion, down $600 million compared to the plan set out in the previous year and down $400 million compared to 2021. Author: Thanh Son Source: https://vietnamagriculture.nongnghiep.vn/reducing-the-export-target-of-cashew-kernels-to-32-billion-d326219.html

Tuesday- 08:27, 14/06/2022 (VAN) Director Hoang Trung of the Department of Plant Protection stated that all processes for the export of durian to China have been completed and is waiting for official approval of the Protocol. Director of the Department of Plant Protection Hoang Trung said that Vietnam is waiting for China to complete the procedures and propose a date and time for the two sides to sign the Protocol for durian. Photo: Tung Dinh. All are well-prepared Director Hoang Trung stated that Vietnam has urged the Department of Animal and Plant Quarantine, under the General Administration of Customs of China to complete all necessary steps to sign the Protocol allowing the export of Vietnamese durian to the country. According to the head of the Department of Plant Protection, the Protocol may be signed virtually or delivered to Vietnam with the Chinese side's signature for finalization before being returned to China. After the signing, durian is exported to China officially. "We've spent a considerable deal of time and effort preparing for durian in particular. Chinese partner selected and inspected all packaging facilities and representative planting regions in Vietnam", Mr. Hoang Trung added. According to the director, the Department of Plant Protection has systematized and forwarded to China the whole number of planting area codes, packing facilities, and businesses registering for exports. The agency also dispatched delegates to production areas for communication and training on technical issues to prepare for exports. "With such meticulous preparation and the farmers' and businesses' understanding of China's technical requirements, I expect that, following the approval Protocol, the export process of durian to China will be run smoothly and fruitful", Director of the Department of Plant Protection Hoang Trung told Vietnam Agriculture News. The Department of Plant Protection will support technical problems in the fastest, most convenient, and most time-saving manner so that businesses can soon deliver the goods to China. Photo: Tung Dinh. Creating all conditions for the exports of durian Mr. Hoang Trung stated that all conditions for the export of durian have been completed, including enterprise names, planting area codes, and packing facilities, but it is crucial that durian producers are aware of which technical standards must be met. In addition, companies, farmers, and management agencies must reply to the Chinese side's requests for production records, documents, and food safety supervision programs before harvest. We must guarantee that goods from registered planting area codes adhere completely to the regulation and that the harvested fruits fulfill all of the criteria, which were disseminated to farmers and businesses. Mr. Hoang Trung summarized three fundamental requirements, which are to have appropriate management measures to eliminate the pest objects of the Chinese side's interest; meet the requirements of food safety and hygiene, with no pesticide residues exceeding the permitted level; and strictly comply with the packaging regulations and labeling requirements. Currently, the Plant Protection Department has carefully communicated these regulations to farmers and durian-producing enterprises. If any problems or difficulties arise during implementation, specialist authorities such as the Plant Protection Department are available to assist. In addition, the Department directs the entire plant quarantine system where the products arrive in order to verify the items' origin, packing, and compliance with technical specifications. This procedure will be carried out in the fastest, most convenient, and most time-efficient manner so that enterprises may swiftly deliver goods to China. The initiative of local communities is vital Mr. Hoang Trung stated that in order to facilitate the export of Vietnamese key crops, the department has directed and instructed localities to establish criteria, standards, and standardized documents in order to decentralize the duties of establishing planting area codes and packaging facilities to local levels. Therefore, localities would be proactive in inspecting and evaluating planting sites and packaging facilities based on preset criteria and providing updated information to the Department of Plant Protection before the latter completes the final phases and submits for national recognition. The Department of Plant Protection always recommends businesses and individuals who have been granted a planting area code produce sustainably rather than focusing on just one or two shipments. However, the ultimate goal is that the source of raw materials must be maintained for many years, meeting both quality and technical requirements for quarantine and food safety. According to Mr. Hoang Trung, it is vital to attract the appropriate attention and investment of localities in order to preserve the recognized codes and facilities, while also taking scale-up into account. Maintaining and expanding the planting area codes as well as the standard packing facilities requires proper attention and investment from localities. Photo: Tung Dinh. In addition, businesses must maintain tight connections with farmers, as a single code may be issued to several agricultural households. Enterprises must act as coordinators, encouraging individuals to join to produce in a single planting area code. Mr. Hoang Trung noted that professional agencies must pay attention to farmers and businesses in order to establish favorable conditions for production and exports. "China has partnered with the Plant Protection Department to undertake online inspections in regions with area codes for agricultural exports to China during the past time. At the request of China's General Administration of Customs, this work will continue for at least three months ", Director Hoang Trung provided an example. The official for the Department of Plant Protection stated that the department has instructed the whole system to rigorously examine planting area codes, assuring the exactness of persons, code, and product, and preventing the counterfeit of codes. In addition, it strengthens technical forces at border gates in order to inspect large quantities of goods and force their return if they do not fulfill technical criteria. With such organizational techniques, a synchronous posture from the central to the local, and notably the attention of local authorities and specialized agencies, we will be able to enhance the quality and increase the scale of the planting area codes and packaging facilities serving exports. Author: Tung Dinh Source: https://vietnamagriculture.nongnghiep.vn/durian-is-ready-for-official-exports-to-china-d325386.html

Sunday- 10:09, 06/02/2022 (VAN) Mr. Vu Van Nghia collaborates with other farmers to plant approximately 120 ha of cacao and conducts research to develop his own chocolate. Mr. Nghia accomplished his ambition of manufacturing chocolate on the roughest soil in Dak Nong 20 years ago when he tasted the first cup of cocoa brought from overseas by his relatives. Increasing income thanks to cacao trees Mr. Vu Van Nghia, a resident of Tan Hop village, Tan Thanh commune, Krong No district, Dak Nong province, is the area's first farmer to collaborate with other farmers to cultivate over 120 ha of cacao and create chocolate on his own. He showed us the cacao beans that had been carefully harvested and fermented from first-class pods, and now are ready to be used in the process of manufacturing "authentic" chocolate. Krong No Agricultural Cooperative picks ripe cocoa beans to harvest. Photo: Quang Yen. The farmer from Nam Dinh moved to Tan Thanh commune in 1995 to plant coffee and was asked to participate in a training program on cacao tree cultivation. He chose to intercrop cocoa plants with coffee trees to conserve space and minimize the dangers associated with experimenting with new plant species. Mr. Nghia stated that his first objective was to intercrop cocoa to capitalize on unoccupied land and enhance revenue. However, after three years of cultivation, he discovered that cocoa was fairly easy to cultivate and required little attention. The tree bears fruit all year and is harvested in 8-9 months in separate clusters. Following his first success, he advised farmers in the region to extend their cropping areas. Rather than intercropping, he converted two hectares of coffee plants to cacao plants. Mr. Nghia said that good chocolate must be produced from first-class cocoa. Photo: Quang Yen. He planted around 1,000 cocoa trees on each hectare of land. After a few years, the trees tried to enter the harvest crops, with an average yield of 2-2.5 tons of beans per hectare. "On average, I purchase around 90 tons of cocoa beans each year, with some years reaching almost 150 tons. The majority of it is raw processed and then sold to makers of cocoa powder, vegetable oil, and chocolate; only a little amount is kept for family use," the owner of the chocolate business remembered the time before cacao was taken into deep processing. A farmer moves up to the position of director Mr. Nghia founded Krong No Agriculture Cooperative in 2016 to assist cocoa farmers with tree care and product production. When the cooperative was continually brought to exhibits and presentations, it developed a brand identity, assisting the area's cocoa goods in maintaining consistent production. When Mr. Nghia saw that the cocoa consumption chain is too dependent on corporations and organizations. Additionally, the price of raw cocoa against finished cocoa is "As Different As Chalk and Cheese." The director then developed the concept of converting cocoa into commercial items. Mr. Nghia established a cooperative and associated with people to grow more than 120 hectares of cocoa. Photo: Quang Yen. "At first, the cooperative produced simply a cocoa powder. However, beginning in January 2021, we imported more machinery to manufacture three additional cocoa products, including 100 percent pure chocolate, 65 percent chocolate, and 40 percent milk chocolate. These are unique chocolate bars that capture the essence of Krong No land, "Mr. Nghia presented himself confidently. The director of Krong No Agriculture Cooperative emphasized that it is not always possible to resolve issues immediately. Because a good batch of chocolate is the result of several factors, ranging from ingredient selection to deep processing steps. "Because I am a farmer, rooted from a family of farmers, the way I do things is definitely. I once packaged the goods myself and delivered them to Hanoi for the introduction. No one thought I could manufacture chocolate at first, but after tasting it, hearing my story, and witnessing the cooperative's process firsthand, they quickly believed. Now I've got reliable consumers as well," Mr. Nghia explained. Chocolate products of Krong No Agricultural Cooperative are about to be put on the market. Photo: Quang Yen. In 2021, the Krong No Agricultural Cooperative was certified as a three-star OCOP for two cocoa powder and chocolate goods. Since then, the cooperative has been backed by the Krong No district People's Committee with machinery and finances to design, print, and manufacture labels, resulting in the steady development of a brand for cocoa goods. "With cocoa powder priced between VND 370,000 and VND 600,000 per kg, Mr. Nghia and Agriculture Cooperative Krong No's aim of elevating the value of the cocoa material area is virtually accomplished. My roughly 120-hectare cocoa crop likewise adheres to safe production standards, which benefits both growers and customers. Currently, we are studying ways to include the product into e-commerce platforms to expand its accessibility to customers," the director explained. Author: Minh Quy Source:https://vietnamagriculture.nongnghiep.vn/the-very-first-farmer-in-dak-nong-to-produce-chocolate-on-his-own-d314921.html

Monday- 09:04, 20/06/2022 (VAN) Organic agricultural production in Tuyen Quang is still limited, fragmented, not commercially viable despite various advantages and support policies. Organic agricultural production is not widespread Tuyen Quang province currently has a total area of 114.4 hectares for ​​organic agricultural production. This includes 6.2 hectares of rice cultivation area, 27.5 hectares of tea, 18.3 hectares of oranges, 10.2 hectares of pomelo; the converted area for organic agricultural production is 52.3 hectares, 35.7 hectares of which are for pomelos, 16.6 hectares for oranges. Although the area is modest, Tuyen Quang has expanded the development of organic agricultural production and supported the standardization of products to improve value and quality. The province has supported the development of traceability stamps for PGS organic products; maintained the application of traceability QR stamps on all of organic products. Hong Thai communehas the largest organic tea area in Tuyen Quang province. Photo: Dao Thanh. According to Tuyen Quang Provincial Sub-Department of Plant Protection and Cultivation, organic agricultural production in the province still faces many challenges. The current state of organic agricultural production is still fragmented and spontaneous; products are not diversified; large-scale organic agricultural production is still unsatisfactory. There have not been many effective organic agricultural production models to promote and replicate; products have failed to find a consumption market, and few people know about the local organic products. The number of businesses and cooperatives participating in production, processing and consumption of organic products or linking production and consumption with farmers through contracts is still insubstantial. The works of trade promotion and the search for product consumption markets are insufficient. Ms. Do Thi Thanh's family in Yen So village, Phuc Ninh commune, Yen Son district have planted 1 hectare of pomelos and nearly 1 hectare of oranges following the organic model for 4 years. Organic orange and pomelo produced by Ms. Thanh's family is not as appealing as those produced following the conventional model, but they have the same sweetness and quality assurance. And most importantly, consumers are absolutely assured about food hygiene and safety when eating organic fruits produced by the model. The development of organic agricultural production in Tuyen Quang province is still in the early stages, with many difficulties. Photo: Dao Thanh. Therefore, organic agricultural production helps her products to be consumed more conveniently. Especially for customers who order as gifts or buy in bulk for important events and parties. However, according to Ms. Thanh, the current demand for organic pomelos in Tuyen Quang market is low. Consumers still have the mindset of wanting to buy cheap products without much attention to the quality. Meanwhile, the scale of pomelos or organic fruit tree production in Tuyen Quang is still limited, connecting consumption with large and long-term partners remains a challenge. Available strengths along with many support policies In practice, Tuyen Quang province has many advantages to develop organic agricultural production. There are many agricultural products of excellent quality with a name on the market. Namely, Ham Yen oranges is rated as the Top 10 most valuable fruits in Vietnam; Soi Ha's specialty pomelo has a delicious, unique taste and it was among the Top 10 famous brands of 2018 with a geographical indication; Shan Tuyet Na Hang tea is recognized as an organic product and it was granted a geographical indication in 2021 and so on. With many large lake bodies, Tuyen Quang province has favorable conditions for organic aquaculture. Photo: Dao Thanh. Nguyen Van Viet, Director of Tuyen Quang Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said that agricultural producers in Tuyen Quang has actively applied scientific and technical advances to production. Farmers are becoming aware of the benefits of organic farming; they have a need and desire to convert to organic production methods, meeting the needs of consumers and help crops develop healthily; the soil is nurtured and fertile, with the ultimate goal towards safe and sustainable agricultural production. The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has advised the Provincial Party Committee, and People's Council on mechanisms and policies to promote the development of organic agricultural production in the province as stipulated under Resolution No. dated December 15, 2020 on policies to encourage the development of organic agricultural production in Tuyen Quang province. As of December 2021, Tuyen Quang has promoted, guided and supported businesses, cooperatives and PGS organic producers for 9 production groups with 48 participating farmers, on a total area of 70.6 hectares, 18.3 hectares of which are certified for organic production; 52.3 hectares are certified for converted organic production. The Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development also directed its units to coordinate with specialized agencies under the People's Committees of districts and cities, as well as the People's Committees of communes and townships to consult and guide organic production project developers according to the approved list of projects for implementation. The potential of Tuyen Quang medicinal plants is ample and adequate for the development of organic agriculture but it has not been proportionately exploited. Photo: Van Thuong. The development of organic agriculture has initially brought not only economic benefits to farmers, but also elevated the image of Tuyen Quang agricultural products as well as created a sustainable agricultural foundation that is beneficial to the health of the producers and the consumers. Mr. Dang Xuan Chan (Dao ethnic group) in Khau Trang village, Hong Thai commune, Na Hang district has over 5 hectares of shan Tuyet tea cultivated following organic standards. Mr. Chan said that the most significant advantage of the local tea forests is that farmers have cultivated completely naturally in the past, so it is very convenient to apply organic certification procedures. However, this is also a limitation, as farmers do not know how to cultivate and nurture to ensure productivity. The district agricultural extension officer and Kia Tang Tea Joint Stock Company provided technical guidance on nurture and harvesting, so the difficulties were gradually resolved. Mr. Chan improves and adds organic nutrients to the soil for the tea plants. The big old tea trees are now shaggy with white mold, tall stems and luxuriant canopy carrying young shoots 2, 3 times higher than that in previous crops. The annual average yield is 10 tons/hectare and the consumption is quite favorable with stable prices. The Dien pomelo farm belonging to Mr. Tran Khac Dung's family in Soi Tien village, Phuc Ninh commune, Yen Son district has also been converted to organic production for over 2 years. With the support of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Vietnam Organic Association, Mr. Dung attended a training course in converted organic agriculture in 2018. Tuyen Quang has many mechanisms and policies focusing on the development of organic agriculture. Photo: Van Thuong. Mr. Dung said that the fertilizer for crops is now made from soybeans, fish and waste from livestock; Pesticides and herbicides are prepared from garlic, chili, ginger, and alcohol. The cost of restoring soil and utilizing organic care is more expensive and laborious, but it is safer for both producers and consumers. In the long run, organic production will protect the soil and groundwater. The quality of organic pomelo is also high praised by consumers as being more delicious, sweeter, and consequently their prices are higher. Continuing to accompany farmers in the promotion of organic agriculture, Tuyen Quang Provincial People's Committee has approved the project "Investigate the current situation of organic crop production to research and identify organic farming areas in Tuyen Quang province by 2025, with orientations towards 2030" according to Decision No. 1017/QD-UBND dated 21/7/2021. The People's Committee also promulgated regulations on organic farming areas in the province, as detailed in Decision No. 14/2021/QD-UBND dated September 18, 2021; The People's Committee approved the list of projects to support the development of organic agricultural production in Tuyen Quang province with 83 projects, including 19 livestock projects and 64 cultivation projects, according to Decision No. 709/QD-UBND dated November 18, 2021. Authors: Dao Thanh - Van Thuong Source: https://vietnamagriculture.nongnghiep.vn/organic-agricultural-production-is-still-in-the-early-stages-d325737.html

Thursday- 14:15, 26/05/2022 (VAN) Central Highlands has the most coffee grown in the country. Tea made from coffee husks and flowers has opened a new economic path for this land. High economic value The Central Highlands has over 640,000 ha of coffee, accounting for over 92% of the country's area. The harvested output is 1.67 million tons, accounting for about 95% of the country's coffee output. This place is also home to 87 coffee processing establishments, accounting for 36.4% of the whole country. It can be affirmed that coffee is the main crop of farmers in the Central Highlands. But in the past people only harvested coffee beans. The flowers and husks were discarded or partially used as manure. Many companies and cooperatives have recently researched and learned to make use of coffee flowers and husks to make tea. This is one of the new products that can help people and businesses increase their profits. As one of the pioneers in this new path, Mr. Le Van Vuong, Director of Vuong Thanh Cong Trading and Production Company (Buon Ma Thuot city, Dak Lak province) said that this tea product possessed great economic potential. Ripe coffee berries are selected and peeled to make tea. Photo: Quang Yen. The process of processing fresh coffee pods from harvest to finished product is an extremely meticulous process. The coffee cherries must be picked entirely by hand. Only the ripest red cherries are selected. The cherries are then washed and manually peeled so that the pods are not crushed, followed by a quick process to prevent spoilage due to fermentation. The company has also studied the method of making tea from coffee flowers and put it into production in 2021. Normally after harvesting, people would cut the coffee branches, but the company leaves these branches intact to nurture the flowers. When the flowers are in full bloom, the branches will be cut to harvest them. “Coffee flowers are harvested from 4 a.m. to 8 a.m. daily. At this time, the dew still remains on the petals so the flowers are fresh, which means quality. The company's two products are manufactured and purchased from households with organic coffee gardens to ensure that the products do not have any pesticide residues," said Mr. Vuong. Every year, Vuong Thanh Cong Company produces more than 500 kg of tea. The market price is high, in which coffee husk tea costs VND 1.3 million/kg, and coffee flower tea from coffee flowers costs VND 5 million/kg. The company's tea products are currently sold on most e-commerce platforms and supermarkets. Ho Chi Minh city, Hanoi and Dak Lak are three major consumption areas. In the past, coffee flowers were left to fall, but now they are used to make tea. Photo: Quang Yen. “Of course, without making tea from pods and flowers, people still have their main income from coffee beans. But if people can produce more tea from the husks and flowers, their source of income can be 4 to 10 times higher. With each ha of coffee farmers can earn approximately VND 100 million. Making tea can help them increase their income up to VND 400-500 million/ha,” said Mr. Vuong. The problem of output Also one of the units to experiment with making tea from coffee husks and flowers, Mr. Tran Dinh Trong, Director of Ea Tu Fair Cooperative (Buon Ma Thuot city, Dak Lak), said the economic potential of the products was indeed massive. However, the problem lies in output. The cooperative experimented with making tea from coffee husks and flowers two years ago. The unit could however only produce a few tens of kilograms because the output is still limited. The two tea products made from coffee husks and flowers possess great economic potential but output is still limited at present. Photo: Quang Yen. The cooperative chose to make the products from gardens that did not use chemical fertilizers and drugs, so the health issue was guaranteed. They even received good feedback from customers as the coffee husk tea’s honey-like sweet flavor suited their taste well. “The potential is great but the output is limited. The cooperative hopes that there will be an associated business so that the unit can produce in large quantities because the raw materials from flowers and coffee husks are abundant. This is a new direction for coffee-related products in the Central Highlands”, Mr. Trong said. Authors: Minh Quy - Minh Hau Source: https://vietnamagriculture.nongnghiep.vn/coffee-husk-and-flower-tea--central-highlands-new-essence-d323949.html

(VAN) An inland traffic route is sponsored by the VnSAT Project to help members of the Ea Wi Agricultural Service Cooperative develop sustainable coffee. On May 27, the VnSAT Project Management Board - Dak Lak held a handover ceremony for the project "Upgrading the transport system for inter-regional sustainable coffee development in Ea Yong commune, Krong Pak district". The ceremony welcomed the presence of Mr. Hardwick - Project Manager, World Bank Representative in Vietnam; Mr. Le Van Hien, Director of the VnSAT Project Management Board - Central and Mr. Vu Duc Con, Deputy Director of Dak Lak Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. The 8 km long road sponsored by the VnSAT Project. Photo: Quang Yen. The inter-regional road project in Ea Yong commune is sponsored by the VnSAT Project for Ea Wi Agricultural Service Cooperative with a length of 7.63 km and a total investment of VND 22 billion. The work is designed as a trade traffic road. The roadbed is 5m wide, of which the surface of the concrete road is 3.5m wide. The work includes two routes: Route 1 is 2.8 km long; Route 2 is over 5 km long. Mr. Ama Zon, Deputy Director of Ea Wi Agricultural Service Cooperative, said that in the past the educational level of ethnic minorities was still limited. Coffee farming faced many difficulties, and the productivity was low, not to mention the underdeveloped transportation system. As a result, the production costs were so high that the cultivation was assessed to have low efficiency. The livelihoods of cooperative members were fairly affected. After participating in the VnSAT Project, Ea Wi cooperative gained the attention and support of the VnSAT Project Management Board - Dak Lak. The project experts organized many training courses on sustainable coffee production and re-cultivation. The project also constructed coffee production demonstration points for people to gain more knowledge, so the productivity and output of cooperative members were gradually improved. “In the past, it was very difficult for people to travel, cultivate and transport products, especially in the rainy season when the roads became muddy and nothing could move on them. After receiving support from the VnSAT Project, the concrete road is made, and farmers' farming activities have become more convenient. Transportation costs have clearly been reduced, thereby helping cooperative members increase farming proficiency and earn more profits,” said Mr. Ama Zon. Mr. Vu Duc Con, Deputy Director of Dak Lak Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said that the VnSAT project had exceeded the initial set plan. Photo: Quang Yen. Mr. Ta Van Cham, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Ea Yong commune, Krong Pak district said that the locality had reached the goal of “new rural construction” since 2018, in which the second criterion is traffic. It was very difficult for the government to implement this criterion as it required abundant resources and the united efforts of the people ready to donate land. The VnSAT Project has contributed to helping the locality invest in completing the roads and fulfill the criteria. Mr. Vu Duc Con, Deputy Director of Dak Lak Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said that the VnSAT Project had been initiated at localities in 2015 and had been implemented in ten districts, towns and cities. The set target was to benefit 60,000 farmers. Fifty farmer organizations in the project area were trained to apply sustainable coffee farming procedures to an area of ​​15,000 ha. The project has currently been completed with the plan exceeding expectations. To be more specific, sixty-four farmer organizations have been trained and supported by the project. 72,000 farmers gain benefit from it, resulting in improved livelihoods. The coffee area applied sustainable farming procedures reaches nearly 20,000 ha. In terms of infrastructure, the VnSAT Project has invested in upgrading a total of 21 infrastructure works from 2016 to 2020 to serve the demand of connecting key coffee production areas of the province. Nine construction works are invested in the 2021-2022 period in particular. Delegates cut the ribbon to inaugurate the route. Photo: Quang Yen. “The project ‘Upgrading the transport system for inter-regional sustainable coffee development in Ea Yong commune, Krong Pak district’ is one of nine infrastructure sub-projects in the public investment phase. The project has practical significance in connecting traffic in production areas, serving as a great help in the development of sustainable coffee for cooperative members in particular and local people in general,” said Mr. Con. Author: Minh Quy Source: https://vietnamagriculture.nongnghiep.vn/inaugurate-the-vnd-22-billion-route-sponsored-by-vnsat-project-d324072.html

(VAN) Re-cultivated coffee farms are revitalizing the Central Highlands, with prospects of bountiful crops in the future. Re-cultivation of coffee through the VnSAT project Dak Ha district in Kon Tum is boosting development in the production and re-cultivation of sustainable coffee. Areas of old, diseased, and low-yielding coffee are gradually replaced by lush, high-quality coffee farms. This is the result of the VnSAT Project's effort in the effective re-cultivation of coffee plants, thereby raising income for coffee farmers in the area. Coffee re-cultivation is revitalizing the Central Highlands. Photo: Tuan Anh. Visitors to present-day Dak Ha district will the opportunity to visit the Plei Kroong hydropower reservoir in Ha Mon commune. They can also admire the beauty of the green coffee hills surrounding the lake. Some gardeners are focusing on catering and pruning the re-cultivated coffee plants with newly sprouted green leaves this season. While taking care of the 1-hectare re-cultivated coffee farm, Mr. Ngo Van Phuong (village 2, Ha Mon commune) said, over 10 years ago, his family would collect 4 to 5 tons of green coffee from each crop, and after selling, deducting expenses, the family still made a considerable amount of profit. A few years ago, the gradual decrease in coffee production along with poor quality and low profit has caused the family to re-cultivate. Mr. Phuong is satisfied with the current growth of the re-cultivated coffee plants. He said that his previous difficult crops, coupled the aged coffee, has led to poor productivity, at only about 2 tons of beans/hectare. In 2020, he decided to loan money, rent an excavator to scoop holes, then let the soil rest for a year before fertilizing and planting. “The farm was old and infested with nematodes in the past, so when it was demolished, the soil had to be carefully fertilized, otherwise the re-cultivated coffee plants would have yellow, poor quality leaves. Fortunately, the family attended training courses organized by the VnSAT Project during the re-cultivation process, so they have mastered the processes and knowledge to carry out coffee re-cultivation methodically and scientifically. Mr. Phuong said that the family re-cultivated with the TRS1 coffee plants for high yield. The re-cultivated coffee farm of Ms. Ngo Thi Mai's family (village 2, Ha Mon commune) is ready for harvest, yielding from 3.5 to 4 tons of beans/hectares. Photo: Dang Lam. Situated close to Mr. Phuong's coffee farm are 2 re-cultivated coffee farms belonging to Mrs. Ngo Thi Mai (village 2, Ha Mon commune) with a total area of ​​over 1.3 hectares. The re-cultivated coffee farm is currently in its third year and is yielding from 3.5 to 4 tons of beans/hectare. Ms. Mai said that with these results, the family will continue to demolish 0.5 hectares of old coffee farms to re-cultivate next year. Ms. Mai's family is reported to be one of the first households in Ha Mon commune to experiment and plant the new TRS1 coffee variety. Before selecting the variety, the family researched carefully about the technical parameters researched by the Institute of Central Highlands Agro-Forestry Science (Eakmat Institute); they were also supported by the VnSAT Project. Accordingly, TRS1 variety gives very high yield rate with excellent quality. This variety in particular has few small thorns compared to the old varieties, so nursery of the plant is easier. Mr. Nguyen Tri Sau, Director of Sau Nhung Agricultural Production and Trading Cooperative (Dak Ha district) said that the coffee re-cultivating movement in Dak Ha district has never been as widespread as it is currently. “Dak Ha is the coffee capital of Kon Tum province, but the majority of it is old with low productivity. The re-cultivation of coffee is being supported by many households in the area. Among the members of the cooperative, more than 20 hectares of coffee have been re-cultivated this year. Many coffee farms after re-cultivation using new varieties with high yields, even the newly harvested ones, have yielded over 3 tons of beans/hectare," said Mr. Sau. He added, leaders of the Central VnSAT Project who recently visited for work has highly praised the re-cultivated coffee farms of the local farmers. The re-cultivated coffee farms are developing strongly. Photo: Tuan Anh. Ms. Duong Thi Thanh Luong, Deputy Director of the VnSAT Kon Tum Project Management Board, said that over the years, thanks to training courses, farmers have raised their awareness and acquired knowledge to apply scientific and technical advances in sustainable coffee production and re-cultivation. Accordingly, farmers learned about reducing input costs including reducing inorganic fertilizers, increasing organic fertilizers, reducing irrigation water and reducing watering frequency in a year. 67.2% of farmers after training have applied such technical knowledge to sustainable coffee production, increasing their profit rate to 20.6% compared to before the project. Ms. Luong also said that, in addition to coffee re-cultivationg training courses, the VnSAT Kon Tum project has contracted with technical support units to carry out activities such as monitoring, training needs assessment, pest management, soil analysis and nutritional diagnostics. These activities will support farmers in sustainable production and re-cultivation of coffee plants. Breakthrough in coffee re-cultivation from 2021 to 2025 After 5 years of re-cultivation, many coffee farms in Gia Lai province have entered the business cycle with higher productivity and quality compared to the old plants. Gia Lai is continuing to promote coffee re-cultivation in the period of 2021 to 2025 with the goal of developing this industry sustainably. Accordingly, Gia Lai is focusing on managing the seedlings source, recommending farmers to use quality seedlings from reputable suppliers such as TRS1, TRS4, ​​TRS9, etc. In addition, the localities also organize training on the technical process of re-cultivation, building a chain of sustainable coffee production. Many coffee farms in Dak Krong commune, Dak Doa district have been reported to be in re-cultivation for 2-3 years. Many coffee farms have been "rejuvenated" with new coffee varieties such as TRS1, TRS4 with a yield of 20 tons of fresh cherries/hectare, some farms even reached a yield of 30 tons of fresh cherries/hectare. Mr. Duong Thanh Bien's family (village 4, Dak Krong commune) has 1.5 hectares of coffee since the 1990s that are old and in poor quality. In 2018, the family learned about the VnSAT project supporting farmers in training coffee re-cultivation as well as providing seed and fertilizer support. The family demolished the old coffee farm to re-cultivate after learning of the project. Thanks to the VnSAT Project, the coffee re-cultivation movement towards sustainability is spreading in the Central Highlands. Photo: Dang Lam. After only 3 years of re-cultivation, coffee plants are harvested with a yield of over 3 tons of beans/hectare, while that number was previously only at nearly 2 tons. For this year's crop, the coffee farm is expected to yield over 4 tons of beans/hectare with favorable weather. Mr. Doan Ngoc Co, Deputy Director of Gia Lai province Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said that the sustainable coffee production and re-cultivation program over the years has shown positive signs. Thanks to support from the VnSAT project, farmers have actively applied science and technology to production to improve coffee productivity and quality. Accordingly, 70% of the farmers have successfully applied the technical process of sustainable coffee re-cultivation to practice. On the other hand, localities in the province have also strictly controlled the quality of seedlings, so the re-cultivation brings high efficiency. From 2016 to 2020, the province has re-cultivated over 12.5 thousand hectares of coffee, reaching 91.9% of the plan. Specifically, households have re-cultivated more than 11.5 thousand hectares, while businesses re-cultivated nearly 1,000 hectares. Mr. Co said that the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is currently investigating, surveying and collecting information on the demand for coffee re-cultivation in the Central Highlands provinces in the period of 2021 to 2025. Therefore, localities will encourage farmers to continue re-cultivating with new high-quality varieties, intercropping with other crops to block wind and diversify crops; creating jobs and improving incomes as a result. To date, the VnSAT Kon Tum Project has carried out 35 training courses on sustainable coffee re-cultivation for 1,411 farmers (female accounted for 50% and ethnic minorities 60% ) and 81 training courses on sustainable coffee production for 3,179 farmers (female accounted for 44%, ethnic group 56.7%). Students' evaluation on the quality, content and organizational form were carried out after the training courses. The courses are viewed as good and satisfactory. In order to serve the training courses, the VnSAT Project has implemented a demonstration model of coffee re-cultivation with an area of ​​19.1 hectares for 31 participating households; a demonstration model of sustainable production with an area of ​​22.5 hectares for 42 participating households. Households participating in the demonstration model met the following criteria: Advanced, hardworking households, located in the coffee production planning area and the Project area. In addition, people's coffee farms must be connected to roads, qualified in terms of human and material resources, willing to participate and share experiences with other farmers, etc. Authors: Tuan Anh - Dang Lam Source: https://vietnamagriculture.nongnghiep.vn/rejuvenating-central-highlands-coffee-with-the-support-of-vnsat-d323953.html

(VAN) Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien affirmed that UK investors are reliable major partners of Vietnam particularly in the agriculture industry. Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien: "Vietnam and UK agriculture can complement each other very effectively". Photo: Nguyen Thanh. Within the framework of Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien's business trip to the United Kingdom, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) coordinated with the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) of Vietnam and the Department for International Trade (DIT) of the United Kingdom to organize the Vietnam - UK Business Connection Forum. The forum has attracted the participation of more than 100 businesses, associations and related organizations in the two countries. On May 25, Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien gave an opening speech at the Vietnam - UK Business Connection Forum. Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien said that the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was one of the strategic and important partners for Vietnam's agriculture in terms of trade and investment, especially through the United Kingdom-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA). Bilateral trade turnover between Vietnam and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK) in 2021 reached over USD 6.6 billion - an increase of more than 17%. In particular, agro-forestry-fishery trade between the two countries had grown steadily at 6%/year, reaching nearly USD 1 billion in 2021. As shared by Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien, cooperation in the agricultural field between Vietnam and the UK had captured the interest of the two countries’ Governments and ministries and was further promoted. And thanks to the support of the two countries’ embassies, important steps had been achieved, laying the foundation for cooperation and development in the future. Vietnamese and UK agriculture can complement each other very effectively. Vietnam’s strong point lies in tropical agricultural products (rice, vegetables, coffee, tea, cashew, pepper), fisheries and wood processing products. Meanwhile, UK agriculture claims its strength in temperate agricultural products, including new generation machinery, equipment and inputs, high technology in service of agricultural production, agricultural product processing and vaccine research. Vietnam - UK Business Connection Forum has attracted the participation of more than 100 businesses, associations and related organizations in the two countries. Photo: Nguyen Thanh. However, there is still plenty of room for promotion in agriculture, forestry and fishery trade. Vietnam's agricultural, forestry and fishery exports to the UK are only approximately USD 800 million, accounting for about 1.3% of the UK's total food import value of USD 60 billion. In a similar manner, the UK's agricultural exports to Vietnam are less than 1% of Vietnam's total AFF import value of over USD 30 billion. Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien affirmed that UK investors are also reliable major partners of Vietnam's economy in general and the agriculture industry in particular. The UK has invested in 434 projects in Vietnam with a total registered capital of USD 3.98 billion. With this result, the UK ranks 15th out of 140 countries and territories around the world that have investment projects in Vietnam. Particularly in the recent period, Vietnam and the UK have both shared a strong commitment to green, sustainable and emission reduction economic development at major international forums such as COP26 and the United Nations Food Systems Summit. Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien gifts to Mr. Paul Booke, Executive Director of the British Coffee Association. Photo: Nguyen Thanh. With the intention of expanding the market for both sides, Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien hoped that UK enterprises will be interested in joint ventures, and close and trustful linkages with Vietnamese businesses and farmers. The product of the cooperation between the two sides is not only an improvement in economic efficiency but the more important things are the values of friendship, the sharing of technology, and the cultural interchange between the two countries on the path of integration and sustainable global environment, bringing benefits to the people and businesses. In the spirit of long-term traditional friendship, as a Strategic Partner for Peace and Prosperity, Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien hoped that businesses of Vietnam and the UK would have more common voices, create connections and linkages, share information, build a long-term, in-depth business cooperation plan to build confidence so that both countries can join hands and develop greener, more sustainable and more prosperous agriculture. Authors: Tuan Anh - Nguyen Thanh Source: https://vietnamagriculture.nongnghiep.vn/promoting-vietnam--uk-agricultural-trade-and-investment-relations-d324001.html

(VAN) On May 25, Meet More Coffee and Xin Chao Korea Mart signed a long-term cooperation agreement, opening opportunities for Vietnam's agricultural coffee. The signing ceremony of cooperation between Meet More Coffee and Hello Korea Mart. Through this cooperation, Meet More - the coffee brand bearing the Vietnamese spirit with fruit coffee products will officially be available at the stores of Xin Chao Korea Mart (Korean supermarket system) in Vietnam and Korea. Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Luan, CEO of Meet More, said that Meet More's pure coffee products combined with Vietnamese fruits and agro-products have approached the Korean market since 2018 and are well received by Korean consumers."This cooperation is considered a bridge between the two developed agriculture and an opportunity for the supply of high-quality agro-products to the two countries' markets. This cooperation in particular opens up many opportunities for Meet More to approach customers in Korea," said Mr. Luan. After only 1 year of implementation in Vietnam, the Korea Mart brand has nearly 20 shops in Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai, and Binh Duong. The Korea Mart supermarket system specializes in providing Korean agro-products to Korean customers and tourists in Vietnam. Korea Mart is expected to open 100 more supermarkets across Vietnam in 2022. Author: Nguyen Thuy Source: https://vietnamagriculture.nongnghiep.vn/vietnamese-agricultural-coffee-is-on-korean-supermarket-shelves-d323960.html

(VAN) Ms. Victoria Prentis stressed the significance of the cooperation between Vietnam and the UK in the field of agriculture and rural development while receiving Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien. Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien and the delegation of MARD talked with the Department of Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs of the UK. During his official working visit to the United Kingdom, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien met with Ms. Victoria Prentis, Minister of State in the United Kingdom's Department of Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs. MARD Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien met with Ms. Victoria Prentis on May 25 at the premise of the Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs of the United Kingdom to promote cooperation in the field of agriculture and rural development in alignment with the strategic partnership between the two countries. Ms. Victoria Prentis stated at the meeting that the United Kingdom awaited the reception and highly valued the visit of MARD Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien and his delegation. She emphasized the significance of agriculture and rural development cooperation between Vietnam and the United Kingdom, as well as the UK government's strategy to put Vietnam as its the most important partner in the Indo-Pacific region. The agricultural cooperation between the two nations, which has been encouraged by the two governments, two ministries, and the embassies, has made considerable strides, laying the groundwork for future cooperation and development. Especially since the Vietnam - United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA) went into effect, agro-forestry-fishery product trade between the two nations has increased along with turnover. Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien informed and proposed specific cooperation with the United Kingdom's Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs. Notably, he requested that the United Kingdom support Vietnam's agriculture industry with programs and projects to produce sustainable landscapes, protect biodiversity, and promote forestry growth in order to meet global commitments to deal with climate change at COP26. He urged the United Kingdom to commit resources to implement solutions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the agriculture sector (plant restructure, innovating cultivation methods toward low-emission, reducing food waste, utilizing agricultural byproducts; enhancing the quality of land and mangrove forests to increase emission absorption capacity, among others). The United Kingdom is asked to assist Vietnam in establishing and operating online data on measurement, reporting, and evaluation of greenhouse gas emission reduction and greenhouse gas inventory in the agricultural sector, as well as research on mitigating the effects of climate change and smart agriculture. Cooperation to facilitate market opening Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien stated that the agro-forestry-fishery products of the two nations complement each other rather than directly competing. Consequently, he proposed that the United Kingdom open its market to Vietnamese mango, passion fruit, pomelo, lychee, and longan in the near future. To increase the trade of livestock products, the leader of MARD suggested that the UK provide requirements on veterinary hygiene and food safety in order for Vietnam to enter the UK market with processed pork products, processed poultry meat, and poultry eggs of all types (fresh, processed), and milk and dairy products. Vietnam expects to collaborate with the United Kingdom on improving animal welfare, assisting the Vietnamese livestock industry to improve animal welfare in accordance with Vietnamese law and international rules. Therefore, improving the quality and competitiveness of cattle products produced in Vietnam. The development of animal welfare also helps the growth of Vietnam's exports of products of animal origin to other countries. To meet all criteria for animal welfare and sustainable development, the Deputy Minister suggested that the United Kingdom share experience, research, enhance capacity, communication, and common knowledge on animal welfare; establish a mechanism and policies for livestock products based on biosafety, adopt technological advances, update and adjust guidelines, management documents, and legal framework for the livestock sector, among other things. Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien presented OCOP (One Commune One Product) gift to Ms. Victoria Prentis, Minister of State in the United Kingdom's Department of Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs of the UK. Ms. Victoria Prentis agreed with the aforementioned ideas and evaluated the dossiers submitted by Vietnam in order of priority to promote market access. Ms. Victoria Prentis requested that Vietnam consider allowing the UK's pork and poultry meat products to enter its market. The UK side pledged to actively advocate Vietnam's efforts to promote animal welfare and restructure its agriculture on a green, low-carbon, and sustainable path. This year, for the first time, the United Kingdom will send its Agriculture and Food Counselor to Hanoi in an effort to foster agricultural cooperation with Vietnam. At the conclusion of the meeting, Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien and Ms. Victoria Prentis agreed to the exchange of high-ranking delegations between the two ministries and tasked the relevant agencies with developing detailed plans to promote cooperation between the two Ministries and maximize the strengths of both nations. Authors: Anh Tuan - Nguyen Thanh Source: https://vietnamagriculture.nongnghiep.vn/vietnam-becomes-the-united-kingdoms-leading-asean-agricultural-partner-d323917.html

(VAN) Walmart plans to import all forms of agro-forestry-fishery products from Vietnam to serve its customers, providing they meet all quality requirements. Minister Le Minh Hoan (fifth person from the left) and Mr. Paul Dyck, Vice President of International Government Affairs of Walmart (fourth person from the left) take a photo with representatives of localities and enterprises from Vietnam. Photo: Le Trung Quan. In his working trip, accompanying Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to the US from May 11-17, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan worked with Walmart Corporation to promote Vietnam agriculture to the global hypermarket chain. Minister Le Minh Hoan met Mr. Paul Dyck, Vice President, International Government Affairs of Walmart on May 13 in Washington DC. The meeting also featured the attendance of representatives of localities and fruit, seafood, timber, and timber products exporters. Mr. Paul Dyck stated that Walmart relies mostly on the supply capacity of its partners to bump up its business's strength. Approximately one-third of Walmart's merchandise is provided by international partners. The hypermarket's products must adhere to food safety, quality, and sustainability regulations. It intends to acquire all sorts of agricultural, forestry, and fisheries goods from Vietnam to serve its customers, provided that these items fit the above criteria. Therefore, there is no limit to future potential if Vietnamese agro-forestry-fishery providers can comprehend and effectively implement the requirements. Vietnamese agricultural products imported into Walmart may not only serve the US but also roll out to Canada and China via its systems in these markets. MARD Minister Le Minh Hoan praised Walmart's position on the worldwide market and its approach to establishing standards to ensure customers’ benefits. The Vietnam Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is pushing its role in coordinating material supply and developing codes for agricultural, livestock, and aquaculture facilities to assure food safety, quality, and adherence to environmental requirements. This sets the groundwork for connecting Vietnam's agro-forestry-fishery products to global hypermarkets, including Walmart, therefore mitigating market volatility and disruptions to the global supply chain. Minister Le Minh Hoan presents and introduces Vietnam's OCOP products to Mr. Paul Dyck, Vice President of International Government Affairs of Walmart. Photo: Le Trung Quan. He requested that Walmart cooperate closely with the ministry to build forums for informing Vietnam's agroforestry-fishery suppliers about the unit's standards and criteria. Together, the parties will develop material areas, packaging, preservation, and processing facilities that meet Walmart's standards. Then, agriculture, forestry, and fisheries goods from Vietnam would be delivered methodically and sustainably through the worldwide Walmart system. Paul Dyck, vice president of Walmart, eagerly welcomed the proposals and stated that Walmart will send representatives to the aforementioned forums. The two sides agreed to establish a regular collaboration mechanism in the form of a Coalition between the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, agro-forestry-fishery providers in Vietnam, localities, and Walmart. Walmart is an American multinational retail corporation headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas, in the United States. It operates a chain of hypermarket chains, grocery stores,s and department stores in the US. Walmart runs around 10,500 hypermarkets and e-commerce websites in 24 countries. International Walmart comprises 5,100 retail stores and over 550,000 affiliated businesses globally. Authors: Anh Tuan - Thu Huyen Source: https://vietnamagriculture.nongnghiep.vn/promoting-vietnam-agriculture-to-the-us-hypermarket-chain-d322983.html