Recently, organic agricultural production in Vietnam has garnered significant attention and investment from various stakeholders, including government agencies, enterprises, and farmers. One of the most critical factors in ensuring the quality and credibility of organic products is the establishment of a robust traceability system. To meet this requirement, a series of training sessions focusing on "Establishing a traceability system for organic products during the production process" have been organized across several regions in the country. These training sessions aim to provide comprehensive guidance on implementing and adhering to the regulations stipulated in Decree 109/2018/ND-CP and the Vietnamese National Standards TCVN 11041-8:2018. These regulations encompass standards related to organic shrimp and organic seaweed production.
Decree 109/2018/ND-CP was enacted to set forth the conditions, standards, and requirements for the production, processing, labeling, and consumption of organic agricultural products in Vietnam. This legal document plays a pivotal role in ensuring that organic products meet the standards of food safety, environmental protection, and consumer health.
The training sessions on establishing traceability systems for organic products have been held in various localities, including Thua Thien Hue, Binh Dinh, Khanh Hoa, and Thai Binh. At each location, experts and administrators engaged in in-depth discussions and shared their experiences on how to apply the regulations and standards to real-world production scenarios.
In Thua Thien Hue, the training session took place on July 18-19, 2024. The session in Binh Dinh was held on July 22-23, 2024, followed by the session in Khanh Hoa on July 24-25, 2024. The content of these training sessions primarily focused on introducing the regulations in Decree 109/2018/ND-CP, TCVN 11041-8:2018, and TCVN 11041-10:2023, as well as the methodologies for establishing and managing traceability systems for organic products. Experts provided detailed guidance on the organic shrimp and organic seaweed farming processes, covering everything from seed selection and feed management to harvesting and transportation. Additionally, delegates were introduced to the requirements for production areas, transitioning to organic production, ecosystem management, and biodiversity conservation. Issues related to pest control and the avoidance of inappropriate technologies were also addressed.
Applying Standards TCVN 11041-8:2018 and TCVN 11041-10:2023
TCVN 11041 represents the national standards for organic agriculture in Vietnam. This set of standards outlines the requirements for the commercial farming, harvesting, preliminary processing, processing, preservation, and transportation of organic agricultural products. Specifically, part 8:2018 is dedicated to organic shrimp farming, while part 10:2023 focuses on organic seaweed.
TCVN 11041-8:2018 includes detailed requirements regarding shrimp farming locations, the transition to organic shrimp farming, maintaining organic production, ecosystem and biodiversity management, water management, shrimp seed selection, shrimp feed management, shrimp health and welfare management, shrimp farm management, pollution control, the avoidance of unsuitable technologies, the harvesting and transportation of raw shrimp, preliminary processing of shrimp, processing, packaging, labeling, and the preservation and transportation of processed shrimp products. This standard imposes stringent criteria for organic shrimp farming. Specifically, it outlines 12 key standards: Shrimp farming locations must be selected to ensure they are free from pollution and suitable for natural conditions. The transition period to organic shrimp farming must be sufficient to eliminate chemical residues from previous farming methods. Necessary measures must be implemented to maintain organic farming conditions. The farming conditions must not negatively impact the ecosystem or biodiversity. The water used in shrimp farming must be clean and free from contamination. Shrimp seeds must be carefully selected to ensure they are disease-free and meet organic standards. Shrimp feed management must adhere to nutritional and food safety standards. Disease prevention and animal welfare practices must comply with regulations. The farm must be managed and operated according to organic standards. Pollution control measures must be implemented, and unsuitable technologies must be avoided. The harvesting and transportation of raw shrimp must comply with safety and quality regulations. Finally, the preliminary processing, processing, packaging, labeling, preservation, and transportation of processed shrimp products must adhere to food safety and environmental protection regulations.
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The TCVN 11041-10:2023 standard for organic seaweed outlines similar requirements for seaweed farming areas, propagation materials, and ecosystem management. Organic seaweed must be cultivated in areas free from pollution and suitable for natural conditions, adhering to environmental protection and biodiversity conservation regulations. Propagation materials must be of guaranteed origin and quality, with prohibited substances not used. The transition period to organic production must be adequate to eliminate chemical residues from previous cultivation methods. Nutrient management must comply with safety and nutritional standards. Pest control measures must follow safety and environmental protection regulations, avoiding the use of inappropriate technologies and methods that do not align with organic standards.
Both of these standards emphasize ensuring quality, food safety, environmental protection, and animal welfare in organic agricultural production.
Feedback and Challenges
The training sessions in Thua Thien Hue, Binh Dinh, and Khanh Hoa received positive feedback from participating delegates. The knowledge and skills gained from these sessions not only enhanced awareness of the regulations and standards related to organic agriculture but also equipped delegates with the necessary tools to apply them in real-world production. The organic product traceability system was practiced directly by the experts and trainees, enabling them to effectively grasp the methods for establishing and managing such systems.
While the training sessions provided valuable knowledge, several challenges remain. One of the biggest challenges is the lack of knowledge and skills in managing and operating traceability systems. To address this issue, training sessions need to be conducted more frequently and expanded to more localities, ensuring that all enterprises and farmers have access to these opportunities.
Moreover, the initial investment costs for traceability systems pose a barrier for many enterprises and farmers. To support them, government agencies have proposed financial support policies, offering preferential loan packages, and encouraging cooperation between enterprises to minimize investment costs.
The training sessions on "Establishing a Traceability System for Organic Products during the Production Process in accordance with Decree 109/2018/ND-CP and TCVN 11041-8:2018" have played a crucial role in raising awareness and capacity among enterprises and farmers regarding organic production. The application of national standards for organic shrimp and organic seaweed not only enhances the quality and reputation of these products but also serves as an important stepping stone for them to access and compete in international markets. In the future, it is hoped that these training sessions will continue to be organized and expanded to more localities, contributing to the sustainable development of the organic agriculture sector in Vietnam.
Hai Dang