Identifying challenges and turning disadvantages into advantages for production and climate change adaptation has become a strategy implemented by Ninh Thuận Province. This strategy has yielded positive results. The clearest example is the transformation of many arid, water-scarce areas into potential lands specialized in high-value, competitive crops. A typical case is Vietnamese green asparaguses, a crop that is opening up new prospects. They also contribute to the restructuring of local agriculture.
The province has recently planned Vietnamese green asparaguses on areas of sandy land in several localities. They include Ninh Phước, Ninh Hải, Thuận Bắc districts, and Phan Rang – Tháp Chàm City. Currently, many cooperatives are linking with businesses to produce and purchase Vietnamese asparagues, creating a value chain for this crop.
To attract investment, the province has issued and applied various mechanisms and policies. These include supporting cooperatives in purchasing seedlings and investing in water-saving irrigation systems to implement large-field models. They also involve adopting cultivation processes according to Vietgap standards. As a result, high-quality asparagues that meet export criteria are being produced.
Vietnamese green asparaguses
The province also facilitates cooperatives in accessing and receiving loans from commercial banks to develop Vietnamese green asparaguses. At the same time, it mobilizes resources to invest in technical infrastructure. It also implements scientific and technological advancements for organic green asparagus production.
The coastal sand areas of An Hải and Phước Hải communes in Ninh Phước District were previously semi-desert regions. They suffered from constant sand drift and dune movement every year. In recent years, the province’s policies on agricultural restructuring and crop conversion change have transformed these sandy lands. They are now areas with high potential for cultivating specialty products such as aloe vera, onions, garlic, and especially Vietnamese green asparaguses.
Many farmers growing green asparagus in An Hải Commune said that investing in one hectare requires over 240 million VND. However, investment capital is no longer a major obstacle. The province has provided a well-structured and scientific development plan for this crop. Accordingly, policies and mechanisms for investment loans from financial institutions are easily accessible to residents. In addition, production and product consumption linkages among farmers, cooperatives, and businesses are increasingly strong. Farmers are confident in producing according to proper principles while ensuring food safety.
Mr. Nguyễn Hữu Tuấn is the Director of a Vietnamese vegetable company, which is a leading enterprise in the production and processing of green asparagus in the province. He stated that with supportive policies from Ninh Thuận province, the company boldly invested and collaborated with local farmers. The province had identified green asparagus as a specialty crop suited to the sunny region’s advantages, which encouraged this decision.
The company has supported farmers and members of Tuấn Tú Agricultural Services Cooperative by providing new seed varieties and guiding safe cultivation practices. It also purchases all Vietnamese green asparaguses from the participating farmers. This has created a positive effect in changing farmers’ production mindset. As a result, the green asparagus cultivation area has expanded from just a few hectares initially to 50 hectares, with potential for further growth in the future.
Green asparagus packing box
Mr. Hùng Ky is the Director of Tuấn Tú General Services Cooperative in An Hải Commune, Ninh Phước District. He shared that Vietnamese green asparaguses provide a significant source of income for local residents. The purchasing price ranges from 50,000 to 65,000 VND per kilogram, depending on the type. On average, each hectare of green asparagus during harvest season brings farmers a net profit of around 200 million VND per year. Over the past three years, the lives of people in An Hải Commune have improved significantly thanks to this crop.
Mr. Phan Quang Thựu is the Deputy Director of the Ninh Thuận Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. He stated that with support from the Central Vietnam Integrated Rural Development Project, the provincial agriculture sector has invested over 120 billion VND to build infrastructure. This includes diversion dams, sedimentation tanks, and water intake sluices. It also includes pumping stations and power substations to serve the concentrated green asparagus cultivation areas in An Hải Commune (Ninh Phước District). In addition, a wholesale market has constructed to link with product promotion and sales for farmers.
Beyond the two main cultivation areas in An Hải Commune and Văn Hải Ward (Phan Rang – Tháp Chàm City), Vietnamsese asparagus cultivation has expanded to many other localities in the province. Recently, many low-yield rice fields with inadequate irrigation have been transformed into green asparagus fields.
Mr. Nguyễn Châu Cảnh is the Head of the Agriculture Department of Thuận Bắc District. Accoring to him, in drought-prone areas with limited irrigation, many production areas had to cease operations. During the recent Winter-Spring crop, the district converted over 70 hectares of low-efficiency rice land to vegetable cultivation. This included more than 13 hectares converted to green asparagus, which is currently being harvested with relatively high economic returns. Profits from Vietnam’s fresh asparagus can reach three times higher than from rice cultivation.
Mr. Trần Quốc Nam is the Vice Chairman of the Ninh Thuận Provincial People’s Committee. During a recent field inspection of drought response in the province, he highly appreciated the proactive efforts of the agriculture sector and local authorities. They have been implementing crop restructuring to adapt to drought.
Vietnamese green asparagus farm
The Provincial People’s Committee emphasizes that no land should remain idle. Therefore, localities must proactively convert low-efficiency rice land to suitable, water-saving, and high-value crops such as Vietnamese asparaguses. This will help farmers increase income per unit area, improving livelihoods in the context of climate change, Mr. Nam stressed.
Currently, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has assigned the Provincial Agricultural Extension Center to continue implementing scientific and technological transfer models. It is also tasked with establishing new cultivation models and installing water-saving irrigation systems.
At the same time, farmers are trained in intensive green asparagus cultivation techniques in the field. This includes guidance on care, storage, and the use of biological fertilizers following the “four corrects” principle to produce truly safe products for consumers.
The Crop Production and Plant Protection Sub-department provides cultivation guidance to ensure quality and food safety criteria are met. It issues cultivation area codes for products to facilitate traceability of agricultural goods. This ensures quality to meet domestic market requirements and aims for exports to regional countries.
Green asparagus is one of 12 specialty products with competitive advantages in Ninh Thuận Province. According to the plan, in 2020 the province will standardize at least 11 specialty products, including green asparagus. This crop will also be included in the “One Commune, One Product” (OCOP) program and participate in the national OCOP product standard assessment.
In the market, Ninh Thuận green asparagus is highly favored due to its nutritional value. Besides being consumed fresh, green asparagus is processed into tea and used in cosmetics. Currently, Ninh Thuận has over 500 hectares of green asparagus cultivation.
Vietnamese source: https://dantocmiennui.baotintuc.vn/tang-gia-tri-cho-san-pham-dac-thu-mang-tay-xanh-ninh-thuan-post288634.html