Green-skin pomelo and green Xiem coconut, specialties of the Mekong Delta province of Ben Tre, have been granted geographical indication (GI) certificate by the National Office of Intellectual Property (NOIP).

This was announced by the provincial authorities at a ceremony held in Ben Tre on March 15.

The People’s Committee of Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta province holds the GI rights.

For green Xiem coconut, the geographical area for GI certification includes Chau Thanh, Cho Lach, Giong Trom, Mo Cay Nam, Mo Cay Bac, Thanh Phu, Ba Tri, as well as Binh Dai districts and Ben Tre City.

GI is also applicable to pomelo grown in Ben Tre City and islets in the districts of Chau Thanh, Binh Dai, Mo Cay Nam, Mo Cay Bac and Cho Lach.

At the ceremony, NOIP director Dinh Huu Phi said the GI for green-skin pomelo and green Xiem coconut would be the basis for enterprises and farmers to develop their market and protect the quality and origin of the products.

He said the GI certification was just the beginning and that in the process of production and business, Ben Tre would face many challenges, especially small-scale production, limitation in production co-operation, unstable quality of product and weak level of joining in the value chain.

Vo Thanh Hao, secretary of Ben Tre Province’s Party Committee, said after receiving the GI certificate, the province would focus on choosing seeds to preserve and improve the quality of the two products.

The province will promote propaganda and publicity for the people, producers and traders. They will become aware that the GI is the common property of the province and of the nation. Therefore, individuals and organisations must be responsible in preserving the GI tag and in developing the two products.

At the same time, the province will build model gardens and organic gardens, connect production and businesses and boost trade promotion through a system of management tools for GI to develop the value chain, strictly manage trademarks, build codes for tracing the origin and create trust for consumers.

The province has also scheduled the registration of GI abroad, especially in key export markets, to develop trade promotion activities and increase exports of the two products.

Green-skin pomelo and green Xiem coconut are considered the major plants in Ben Tre Province with high economic value. Currently, Ben Tre has over 7,200ha of green-skin pomelo and nearly 8,000ha of green Xiem coconut cultivation.

According to the provincial Department of Industry and Trade, the GI registration is expected to boost the value of the green Xiem coconut in the domestic market and help expand exports to foreign markets such as the United States, Japan and the European Union.

Small in size with a green skin, each coconut has an average of 258ml of water. Its water is sweeter and different from others in terms of nutrition and health benefits.

The pomelo, which got its name as its skin remains green even when it is ripe, is much sought after in the market for its great taste. The fruit has thin skin, few seeds and pink flesh.

The GI recognition is expected to help Ben Tre expand the market for pomelo and raise the income for local farmers. — VNS