Dang Xa is a commune in the suburban district of Gia Lam, Hanoi capital. Nowadays, the commune owns nearly 120 hectares of safe vegetables. In which, there are more than ten hectares of Vietgap vegetables. Notably, Dang Xa has emerged as a prominent hub for safe vegetable production in Hanoi.
Previously, the farmland in Dang Xa commune mainly grew traditional vegetables and fruits. Since 2002, Hanoi has supported and guided 24 farmers on vegetable care techniques on two hectares. After one year, cooperative members saw the effectiveness of producing healthy vegetables and fruits that were pest-resistant and safe.
Vietgap vegetables
The Plant Protection Department also assisted in marketing on Vietgap vegetables. Over time, more cooperative members joined safe vegetable production. By 2006, the area of safe vegetable cultivation in Dang Xa had increased to eight hectares.
In 2008, the commune oriented the development of the Dong Xuyen floodplain as a specialized safe vegetable cultivation area. Accordingly, the area covered nearly 100 hectares. Notably, this area benefits from fertile alluvial soil and irrigation from the Duong River. The river provides nutrients while remaining free from pollutants.
The local authorities and the cooperative encouraged members to switch from low-yield, less profitable crops. More specifically, they advised members to focus on Vietgap vegetables such as fresh cabbage, pumpkin tops, cauliflower, and leafy greens.
By 2014, there were 90 hectares in Dang Xa had received certification as suitable for safe vegetable production. Accordingly, there were more than 400 cooperative members, who participated in the program.
Vietnamese cabbage farms
“A key factor is that the experts from Hanoi have been working directly in the fields with cooperative members. Each year, the city organizes 4–5 training sessions on safe vegetable production processes for hundreds of cooperative members. in addition, the experts guided the cooperative in establishing a collection system for post-harvest plant residues”.
“Also, they trained members using biological products to convert them into organic fertilizer. Each year, the cooperative collects and processes more than ten tons of plant residues. Therefore, this helps keep the fields clean and green while recycling the residues as fertilizer,” shared Director Nguyen Tuan Khanh.
In 2015, the city invested in the QSEAP project for the cooperative, constructing facilities to support Vietgap vegetables. These facilities included a 430 m² post-harvest processing house within an 1,800 m² site, production electricity grids, water storage tanks, and composting tanks, with a total investment of over 12 billion VND.
Based on this, the cooperative coordinated with the City to implement Vietgap-compliant safe vegetable production on ten hectares in the Dong Xuyen floodplain. Accordingly, there were more than 100 cooperative members that involved in the project.
Vietnamese kohlrabi farms
Mr. Nguyen Manh Phuong was the Deputy Director in charge of the Hanoi Plant Protection Department. He stated that to support local farmers in Vietgap vegetables, the Department has organized many training courses to minimize pesticide use.
It has also implemented models such as sweet-and-sour bait traps for cabbage pests and plastic covering for off-season vegetables for hundreds of farmers. Additionally, the department regularly send staff to the fields to inspect and supervise pesticide use among producers.
“With the advantage of being near the inner city and a large consumer market, Dang Xa benefits from strong demand. Combined with support from the Plant Protection Department and responsible farmers, all Vietgap vegetables produced there are sold. Notably, sereval households specializing in cabbage cultivation can earn up to 200 million VND per year,” said Nguyen Tuan Khanh.
Vietnamese source: https://hanoimoi.vn/phat-trien-vung-trong-rau-an-toan-dang-xa-561151.html