Protecting Cao Phong orange brand name by ensuring product quality

5/30/2017 - 7:41:49 AM

(HBO) - Cao Phong oranges in the northern mountainous province of Hoa Binh have won the trust of consumers nationwide thanks to the locality’s efforts to protect the Cao Phong orange brand name by ensuring product quality.

100 percent of Cao Phong oranges are safe

Statistics released by the Cao Phong district agriculture and rural department office show that as of February 2017, the locality has about 2,080 ha of citrus trees, of which 417 haare mandarin; 1,367 haare orange and 296 haare pomelo. The total area of small trees is about 1,178 ha while mature trees account for some 900 ha. In 2016, Cao Phong harvested more than 23,000 tonnes of citrus fruits which were sold at an average price of 25,000-35,000 VND per kg.

Producing organic oranges to meet consumers’ demands is the main plan in Cao Phong. Photo: Farmers in Cao Phong town harvest oranges in the 2016-2017 crop.

Oranges and mandarins in Cao Phong are harvested in different periods, from August to May of the next year. According to Bui Van Dong, deputy head of the Cao Phong district agriculture and rural development office, the consumption of Cao Phong oranges depends on the free market, through private traders and wholesale markets. However, the consumption market has been expanded as a result of the district’s communications campaigns aiming to encourage local farmers to produce safe products. To prepare for the second Cao Phong orange festival in November 2016, the district People’s Committee worked with the Vietnam Certification Centre (Quacert) under the Directorate for Standards, Metrology and Quality, Ministry of Science and Technology to take random samples of oranges from stores in the district to assess their quality. All the samples satisfied safety standards.

Changing ideas about organic orange production from the smallest deeds

This is the main target set by Cao Phong authorities and farmers. Bui Van Dong said that acknowledging the increasing demand for organic oranges, in 2014, the district People’s Committee teamed up with Quacert to plant oranges following VietGap standards. At first, only 15 households in the district joined the programme with a total area of 49.8 ha. The figure increased to 120 households at the end of February 2017 with about 142 ha and an output of 3,000 tonnes. The programme was implemented in Thu Phong, Bac Phong, Tan Phong, Yen Lap, Nam Phong and Dung Phong communes.

According to Bui Van Dong, the programme has attracted many households although it requires them to follow up to 69 criteria. Apart from the 120 households, the district has called on more households to participate in the programme in 2017, aiming to have half of its orange areas at VietGap standards. The move shows that the district is striving to protect its orange brand name by ensuring product quality. Conforming to VietGap standards has helped local households raise the competitiveness of their products to access strict markets.

Ta Dinh Thao, a farmer in 5B zone, Cao Phong town, said joining the VietGap practice, they ensure strict requirements regarding fertilisers and pesticides. Farmers have to undergo compulsory training courses on production which is recorded in detail everyday. For example, they used to fertilise orange trees without composting. Now, it is compulsory to rot manure for a period of time.

Bui Van Dong said the Cao Phong district agriculture and rural development office has reinforced inspections over orange production and following VietGap. The office has asked agencies to punish violations of regulations regarding the amount of heavy metals, pesticides and microorganisms in products to provide organic fruit for consumers./.

Manh Hung

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