A plan to grow organic vegetables in concentrated areas was launched a little more than a year ago.

They are now grown in 14 market gardens in several communes in the outskirts of Ha Noi.

Total investment is put at VND900 billion (US$47 million).

The latest, on 80ha in Thuy Huong Commune in the western district of Chuong My, was launched earlier this month.

Investment has been put at VND55 billion ($2.9 million).

The large-scale growing of organic vegetables – approved after protracted negotiations with municipal officials – started in the Thanh Tri District's Yen My and Duyen Ha communes.

Each district has to assess the capacity of the land it manages and select plots where the growing of organic vegetables is technically and economically viable and report to the Plant Protection Department for approval, says its deputy director.

Bold effort

The plan is a bold effort to secure a sustainable supply of organic vegetables for the entire city and supersedes previous scattered pilot projects, he says.

The provision of funds to improve infrastructure is crucial because the growing of organic vegetables can't be successful without an efficient system.

Previously, the effort had been of small scale and without proper planning.

Hoa Binh Agricultural Co-operative chairman Trinh Van Vinh says the pioneering of organic vegetables on 6ha in Ha Dong District's Yen Nghia Commune in 2007 has not met the expected targets.

Average yearly revenue is about VND90 million ($4,700); it's supposed to be at least VND200 million ($10,500).

"The result is discouraging," Vinh says. "Fifty of the 300 participating households have abandoned the project; 47 have switched to rice or fruit and the remainder are struggling to survive."

A lack of customers is the major obstacle.

The People's Committee – as a supporter of the project – selects the customers rather than the market channels, he says.

"For example, our regular customers are several local schools and some small shops. The vegetables are in season, but the co-operative can sell only 10 per cent of its crop."

The price paid for organic vegetables is not much higher than that paid for the conventionally grown but the former require more work.

"We find it difficult to establish an effective link from the farmer to the market," Vinh says.

Agriculture Promotion Centre director Nguyen Van Chi attributes the failure of several pilot projects to the lack of a comprehensive planning of a marketing strategy and brand building.

Quality

One of Ha Noi's biggest supermarkets, Big C has to import fresh vegetables every day from Da Lat in the Central Highlands, says Food Product Purchasing manager Nguyen Viet Thang.

He says the Chu Co-operative in Dong Anh District and the State-owned Ha Noi Agricultural Development and Investment Company subsidary, HADICO, are the city's major suppliers of organic vegetables – several tonnes each day.

"It's far from sufficient and we are still seeking partnerships with other co-operatives.

"We would welcome any approach.

"As long as the quality of their products meets our criteria, we wouldn't hesitate to sign a purchasing agreement with them.

"But co-operatives should take more initiative in finding a market. It's all about business and it's competitive-oriented."

Municipal Plant Protection Department deputy director Nguyen Hong says the municipal Industry and Trade Department's impending participation in the project will help overcome the difficulties.

"The department will show farmers to effectively promote their products," he says.

"It will also help build a regular market with the help of the major produce suppliers including Ha Noi Trade Co-operation HAPRO."

The centre for fruit vegetable quality assurance, which is expected to open next year, will administer a grading programme.

Produce of acceptable quality will be verified with a stamp.

"Brand building for organic vegetables will proceed more smoothly and this will result in a more profitable market once the standards are set," he says.

The almost 12,000ha available for all vegetables in Ha Noi meets only 40 per cent of the capital's demand. — VNS