UNIBEN is implementing a programme to support farmers farming safe vegetables following VietGAP standards towards the development of a safe material area to ensure the quality and hygiene of food products right from the company’s input source, contributing to stabilise its output and improve production and business for farmers.
Bui Thi Ngoc Suong (centre), a farmer in Nhuan Duc Commune, Cu Chi District, HCM City, grows chilli following VietGAP standards with technical support from agricultural engineers and UNIBEN staffs. — Photo courtesy of UNIBEN
Ensuring quality of material source
Spices are one of the most important ingredients in UNIBEN’s delicious 3 Mien instant noodles. In order to ensure food safety and hygiene, input materials, including vegetables and spices, are always closely examined.
In an effort to ensure the quality of input materials and improve farmers’ production and business, UNIBEN is developing a plan to help farmers grow safe vegetables following VietGAP standards, with support and consultation from HCM City’s Agriculture Promotion Centre and the Shifting Economic Agriculture Mechanism Centre. In addition, the company has also signed long-term contracts to support farming and consumption.
A pilot programme has been implemented at farms growing coriander in the provinces of Dong Thap and Vinh Long, and those growing chilli in HCM City. The programme is scheduled to be expanded to chilli farms in Tien Giang and Tay Ninh; onion farms in Ha Noi and Hai Duong Province; alpinia in Ha Giang, Lao Cai, Soc Trang and Long An provinces; and mushrooms in Dong Nai and Vung Tau.
After a strict assessment process, households and farms that are selected to provide vegetables for UNIBEN will be instructed and supervised by agricultural engineers following VietGAP standards. Farmers will be trained on safe vegetable farming and receive technical support on the safe use of pesticide and administrative procedures for attaining VietGAP certification.
Helping farmers secure production output
Engineer Le Thanh Mai (left) helps Nguyen Van Be from Dong Thap Province to farm coriander following VietGAP standards. — Photo courtesy of UNIBEN
“After signing contracts with UNIBEN, we have to farm methodically. Taking care of vegetables, including the use of pesticide, is required by UNIBEN regulations as well as VietGAP standards,” said Nguyen Van Be, a UNIBEN programme farmer in Tan Binh Commune, Chau Thanh District, Dong Thap Province.
“We are very happy to be part of the programme and the support of technical engineers invited by UNIBEN,” added Be.
“UNIBEN helps households to supply safe vegetables following VietGAP model to ensure food hygiene and safety, contributing to protecting the environment, strengthening awareness of clean farming and ensuring production output,” said Le Thanh Mai, an agricultural engineer from the HCM City Agriculture Promotion Centre.
“Our family follows all the technical steps to grow chilli following instructions from engineers at UNIBEN. After planting the chilli following the VietGAP model, I feel more secure because UNIBEN ensures both input and output for our product,” said Bui Thi Ngoc Suong, a farmer in Nhuan Duc Commune, Cu Chi District, HCM City.