Pesticides? No thanks, say donor-backed farmers
Hanoi, 2 December 2016 – More than 1,000 farmers, primarily from Vietnam’s ethnic minority communities, are bringing new chemical-free, donor-funded products to market. Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade and Hanoi People’s Committee are hosting the Vietnam Regional Specialty fair at Vincom Megamall Royal City in Hanoi from 1-4 December, which features mostly corporate-backed products. But in one corner of the convention centre are a number of items backed by the non-profit sector: rice, ginger, coffee beans, pork, chicken and vegetables.
Supported by New Zealand’s Aid Programme, Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and World Vision Vietnam, nearly 1,500 farmers in Huong Hoa and Trieu Phong districts of Quang Tri province learned a strict natural farming methodology that prohibits any use of chemical products, including pesticide, herbicide, chemical fertilizers and preservatives.
With a budget of more than US$ 3 million, the projects targeted the area’s neediest farmers to boost incomes, while ensuring the country a safe food supply, protecting soil fertility and safeguarding water sources.
“Following this natural farming method, I compost organic fertilizer using agricultural waste and livestock manure. I use ginger, chilli and garlic to prevent pests and treat plant diseases. Although this process requires more efforts, but it is not harmful to my health,” said Nguyen Thi Lan, a farmer in Trieu Phong district.
Tom Wilson, Head of the New Zealand Aid Programme, said: “Our partnership with World Vision is delivering real benefits to coffee, ginger and cassava farmers of Quang Tri. By helping farmers with safe production techniques, and linking them to markets, we are seeing real increases in household income. For example, the coffee farmers have shifted their focus from producing big volumes of coffee to producing the highest possible quality. They take pride in how good and clean their coffee is; they are starting to build a brand based on quality; and they work with reputable dealers and processors. New Zealand is proud to be doing our part in helping the farmer households build a sustainable economic future.”
An additional 1,000 farmers will soon join this production circle to offer more safe and quality agricultural products to the market.
“Sustainable economic development is the key to poverty elimination and in turn, the well-being of children. We constantly seek cooperation with governments, institutions, and the corporate sector to realize this philosophy, replacing temporary traditional aid hand-outs with the provision of tools and market linkages for needy farmers to create lasting impacts,” said Tran Thu Huyen, National Director of World Vision Vietnam.
The organic food industry in Vietnam is still nascent and unregulated, with the country’s first certification standards expected in 2017. Consumer demand for organic products has grown alongside a growing number of news reports on the harmful effects pesticide-laden or tainted food products pose to the environment and personal health.
"I usually buy food from the supermarket for my family, yet it isn't an absolute guarantee that all food is clean," shared Chau, a middle-aged woman visiting the fair.