Hồ Tịnh can make more than 350 USD per 500 square metres of his sandy patch of land producing garlic chive in Kim Long village, compared to just 75 USD from 500 square metres of rice. Since the local garlic chives have been certified as a key agriculture product in Hai Lang District, Quang Tri Province, his family aren’t worried about finding buyers.
"Having clean agriculture certification is a major advantage for farmers because it means it is easier to sell these products." - Hồ Tịnh, Farmer, Kim Long Village, Hai Lang District, Quang Tri Province.
At the Kim Long Co-operative in Hai Lăng District, 10 hectares of garlic chives and 20 hectare of herbal rice are planted. Garlic chives and herbal rice were certified as typical agriculture product in the locality by the Vietnam Farmer’s Union back in 2010.
"Intensive production areas and a high-quality rice zone have been all planned, and include expanding large-scale fields, constructing zones, especially a garlic chive zone. By doing so, farmers can be trained on producing garlic chives and rice based on VietGap clean agriculture product standards." - Nguyen Huu Phuoc, President, Kim Long Co-operative, Hai Lang District, Quang Tri Province.
Hải Lăng not only concentrates on promoting garlic chives and rice, they also follow similar approaches to Mỹ Chánh ginger and K4 orange, helping find outlets and creating sustainable incomes for farmers in the future.
"Products that have been made by farmers in categorized zones under VietGap will have their quality and hygiene assured when entering the market. These products will also be able to apply to the Department of Science and Technology Portal to create a brand name for them." - Nguyen Giap, Vice Deputy People's Committee, Hai Lang District, Quang Tri Province.
The branding of these agriculture products will help the district, Quảng Trị form and plan an intensive production area and high quality rice zone. But links between businesses and farmers should also be focused on in order to develop value chains of agricultural products in the future.
