Báo cáo khoa học: Developing GAP systems for dragon fruit producers and exporters in Binh Thuan and Tien Giang provinces (MS2)

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Sản xuất thanh long ở Việt Nam đã chứng kiến giá cho trái cây của họ giảm khoảng 60% kể từ năm 2000, có thể là do, một phần phụ thuộc của họ trên thị trường xuất khẩu địa phương và gần đó. Có khoảng mười lớn thanh long xuất khẩu trái cây tại Việt Nam nhưng một tỷ lệ đáng kể của tổng số sản xuất được nguồn gốc từ nhiều nông dân nhỏ. Lợi nhuận từ thanh long có thể được cải thiện đáng kể nếu người trồng và xuất khẩu có thể đạt được truy cập vào...

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Nội dung Text: Báo cáo khoa học: Developing GAP systems for dragon fruit producers and exporters in Binh Thuan and Tien Giang provinces (MS2)

Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development CARD Project Progress Report 037/04VIE Developing GAP systems for dragon fruit producers and exporters in Binh Thuan and Tien Giang provinces MS2: FIRST SIX MONTHLY REPORT August 2005
1. Institute Information Developing GAP systems for dragon fruit Project Name producers and exporters in Binh Thuan and Tien Giang provinces Southern Fruit Research Institute Vietnamese Institution Nguyen Van Hoa Vietnamese Project Team Leader The Horticulture and Food Research Institute of Australian Organisation New Zealand John Campbell, Jim Walker Australian Personnel 30 June 2005 Date commenced March 2007 Completion date (original) Completion date (revised) Inception/First Progress Report Reporting period Contact Officer(s) In Australia: Team Leader John Campbell +64 3 528 9106 Name: Telephone: Project Leader +64 3 528 7813 Position: Fax: Organisation HortResearch JCampbell@hortresearch.co.nz Email: In Australia: Administrative contact Mrs Leonie Osborne +64 9 815 8819 Name: Telephone: PA, Bioprotection Group Leader +64 9 815 4202 Position: Fax: Organisation HortResearch losborne@hortresearch.co.nz Email: In Vietnam Dr Nguyen Minh Chau +84 73 893 129 Name: Telephone: Project Champion +84 73 893 122 Position: Fax: Organisation SOFRI mch@hcm.vnn/vn Email: 2
2. Project Abstract Producers of dragon fruit in Vietnam have seen prices for their fruit decline by about 60% since 2000, which can be attributed, in part, to their dependence on local and nearby export markets. There are about ten major dragon fruit exporters in Vietnam but a significant proportion of the total production is sourced from many small farmers. Returns from dragon fruit could be significantly improved if small growers and exporters can gain access to new high value markets in Europe and North America. Unfortunately, regulatory requirements and recent consumer concerns over food safety and security mean that Vietnamese growers can now only export to these high value markets if they have Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) programmes in place. EUREPGAP is a comprehensive and auditable GAP programme which is now the minimum fruit quality, safety and sustainability standard required by most supermarket chains in Europe. This project will develop the basis for EUREPGAP implementation amongst groups of dragon fruit growers in Binh Thuan and Tien Giang provinces, to enable Vietnamese growers to export dragon fruit to high value European markets. If successful it will also provide a model GAP system for potential adoption by other Vietnamese fruit sectors. 3. Executive Summary The delivery timing for the CARD 037/04VIE project Inception Report and First Progress Report fall within one month of each other. As a result, this report combines both the project inception and progress-to-date efforts. HortResearch personnel made two visits to Vietnam in February and May 2005 during which time the scope of the project was established. Contracts were developed and signed for project implementation between Hassall and Associates International (HAI) and HortResearch also Southern Fruit Research Institute (SOFRI) and HortResearch. A Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) and One Pager were developed and signed for the coordination of various donor initiatives to improve Dragon fruit GAP production and export in Vietnam. A change of Project Leader occurred for both HortResearch and SOFRI at project inception to provide continuity of appropriate leadership for the duration of the project. Implementation of the project has focused on establishing communication lines and the benchmarking of 150 farmers in the Binh Thuan and Tien Giang provinces to evaluate current dragon fruit production practices compared to those required under GAP. Some benchmarking findings have been delivered through seminars to farmers. Identification of a Binh Thuan province exporter, packer and farmer group to be the initial “pilot” to receive project delivery was made during the benchmarking survey. No major constraints to project implementation have been encountered at this stage. The project is on track and milestones 1 and 2 are complete. 3
4. Introduction & Background Objective 1: To increase small holders’ competitiveness and capacity to supply dragon fruit to high-value international markets, introducing new concepts of food safety, environmental responsibility, sustainability and worker safety into their production practices. Objective 2: To provide technical support and training for Vietnamese extension/researchers to improve their capacity in group training procedures for GAP implementation in dragon fruit. The outputs expected include adoption of new practices that are required for entry into the European market, and empowerment of small farmers to negotiate improved supply arrangements. Vietnamese personnel from SOFRI, Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) and the private sector will be trained in the field in Vietnam and two SOFRI members will undertake a study tour to observe GAP systems in the fruit industry in New Zealand. It is intended that the development of the Vietnamese personnel, both in the public and private sectors, will be through the practical application of: • Establishing the current status of the dragon fruit industry against EUREPGAP standards through a benchmarking survey • Improving the current understanding of dragon fruit agronomy within SOFRI and establishment of systems for constant improvement and problem solving • The development of pilot models of EUREPGAP-compliant Exporter/Packer/Farmer group in the field • Establishing manuals, Codes of Practice and the development of training material that is appropriate, user friendly, developed by the Vietnamese extensionists, and appropriate to the dragon fruit industry for transfer to subsequent “models” and ultimately other crops • Establishing the required quality systems for the dragon fruit industry to adopt and obtain proof of the system robustness, by obtaining EUREPGAP certification for the pilot model • Maximising the impact of current initiatives to develop GAP in the dragon fruit industry through full participation in the Dragon fruit GAP Project. 5. Progress to Date 5.1 Implementation Highlights There have been two visits to date by New Zealand project personnel (Drs Barbara Waddell and Jim Walker in February, and Dr Waddell and John Campbell in May 2005) with the purpose of scoping the CARD project and finalising the various contracts. Contracts now signed include: • CARD 037/04VIE Developing GAP systems for dragon fruit producers and exporters in Binh Thuan and Tien Giang provinces; between Hassall and Associates International and The Horticulture and Food Research Institute of New Zealand Ltd (HortResearch) 4
• A Collaboration Agreement for the project between The Horticulture and Food Research Institute of New Zealand Ltd and Southern Fruit Research Institute (SOFRI) in Vietnam • A Memorandum of Understanding to coordinate the dragon fruit development initiatives (Dragon fruit GAP Project - DGP) in Vietnam between the parties: HortResearch, Vietnam Competitiveness Initiative (VNCI), USAID/EGAT RAISE SPS Project (RAISE/SPS) and SOFRI • A Dragon fruit GAP Project One Pager information pamphlet. The New Zealand Project Leader changed between the first and second visit from Jim Walker to John Campbell. The second visit to Vietnam by the New Zealand team included familiarisation for the replacement Project Leader. At the second visit the decision was made to have two pilot demonstration EUREPGAP components developed through the wider DGP collaborative agreement: a CARD Top Down (Exporter/Packer/Farmer group) and the VNCI/IMO Bottom Up (Establishment of a Co-op Group of Farmers). During the development of the Collaborative Agreement between HortResearch and SOFRI a schedule of activities was developed, based on the Log Frame for the first year of the project. As well as establishing SOFRI as the in-country Project Implementation Agency, the following activities have either been completed or initiated: • The benchmarking questionnaire was developed. • The benchmarking questionnaire was tested in the field during the second HortResearch visit. • Agreement on the appropriateness of the questionnaire and training of SOFRI project team was completed during the May visits to the field also. • The SOFRI project team trained SOFRI Young Scientists in the method of questioning farmers and recording questionnaire data. • The extended SOFRI team subsequently completed the Benchmarking programme of some 150 farmers in the Binh Thuan and Tien Giang Provinces. • The benchmarking questioning of farmers was expanded by the SOFRI project team to include questions on general agronomy, to gain a greater knowledge of the current status of Dragon fruit production methods. • Information collected on crop production methods has been collated and some aspects delivered at farmer seminars – this will be ongoing as knowledge is accumulated. • Benchmarking data collected was recorded in Vietnamese and subsequently translated to English. • HortResearch developed a database with web access for SOFRI to enter data. • During the benchmarking recipients for the CARD project “Top Down Pilot” were identified. • A schedule of work during the New Zealand project leader’s second visit was developed (Appendix 1). • Communications within the DGP were established with fortnightly sessions by internet telephone. These have been satisfactory between HortResearch and VNCI by voice, but limited to written chat sessions with SOFRI. DGP coordination by Nguyen Phuong Thao of VNCI has been established and is working well. • Efforts to improve channels of communication between HortResearch and SOFRI continue. 5
5.2 Smallholder Benefits Benefits to the smallholder farmer will be generated and reported as the project implementation gathers momentum. 5.3 Capacity Building During the project scoping and subsequent project implementation visits by HortResearch personnel considerable effort has, and will continue to be, made to identify individuals both in the public and the private sectors who have the capacity to be leaders of change, and quality systems development, improvement and maintenance. A high priority will be given to all aspects of National Capacity Building to ensure sustainability upon project completion. 5.4 Publicity The CARD project has been publicly exposed through a Television Talk Back programme in Binh Thuan for the dragon fruit projects on 29 July. The programme participants were nationals only from VNCI, IMO and Mr Vo The Truyen of SOFRI representing the CARD project. Keith Milligan advised on CARD information to be included in the television session introduction. A copy of the transcript is expected to be available for a subsequent progress report. On 29 September the DGP MOU will be publicly signed in Ho Chi Minh City. A one-pager information sheet was developed to advertise the various participants of the DGP and is to be given out when appropriate. Likewise Business Cards for project personnel were developed for the same purpose. 5.5 Project Management A change of the HortResearch project leader from Jim Walker to John Campbell occurred in April. Dr Nguyen Van Hoa replaced Vo The Truyen as the SOFRI Project Leader in July. This change was made because Truyen will travel to Massey University, New Zealand to undertake his PhD studies. 6. Report on Cross-Cutting Issues 6.1 Environment Analysis of the benchmarking database should confirm observations made in the field during the two visits by New Zealand personnel. There appears to be a substantial gap between the current environmental situation in the dragon fruit industry and the standards required to meet EUREPGAP compliance. The use/misuse of human waste, non-composted farm manure, 6
special fertiliser mixes, unregistered agro-chemicals, and inadequate withholding periods for agro-chemicals need urgent corrective action. 6.2 Gender and Social Issues The CARD dragon fruit project implementation will systematically address gender and social issues. For example, Good Agricultural Practices demand good working conditions, appropriate treatment of labour, observation of good health and safety practices, etc. 7. Implementation & Sustainability Issues 7.1 Issues and Constraints Issues and constraints will become evident as the project is implemented. However, identification of appropriate key personnel, both in the private and public sector, is seen as paramount to a successful outcome. Communication, trust and co-operation between HortResearch and SOFRI personnel is extremely important for the smooth implementation of the project between the periodic visits by the HortResearch team to Vietnam. 7.2 Options Options and problem solving will be an important component to project implementation. A “Teamwork” approach is seen as the best method to ensure that the outcomes of both the CARD and the DGP projects are achieved and lead to an improved ability of dragon fruit farmers to access higher value markets. 7.3 Sustainability Sustainability is being addressed by the project through: • Development of the national capacity • Training of exporters, packers and farmers by practical demonstration through the Top Down pilot • Systematically expanding the model to other groups and areas • Providing the critical mass of EUREPGAP-compliant fruit for high value market evaluation as early in the project as possible, to demonstrate the financial viability of having robust quality systems in place • Communicating the merits of health and safety, environmental and social reasons for GAP implementation. 8. Next Critical Steps Schedule 3 of the HortResearch/SOFRI contract lists the SOFRI activities and outlines the tasks to be implemented during the next twelve months. The programme of work for the September 2005 visit by the HortResearch project leader is attached (Appendix 1). 7
9. Conclusion Export of non-EUREPGAP fruit to the European Union is expected to cease at 31 December 2005. The CARD project as outlined in the project document, when implemented, will be appropriate for development of GAP in the dragon fruit industry. The ultimate outcome sought remains the development of a demonstration “package” of Exporter/Packer/Farmer group with EUREPGAP compliance as a working model for expansion of GAP in both the dragon fruit and other fruit sectors in Viet Nam. No major constraints to project implementation have been encountered at this stage. The project is on track. 8
APPENDIX 2. Publicity from USAID FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 13, 2005 2005-003 Contact: Robert Webster Project Director, VNCI Phone: (84-8) 827-9488 Email: robert@vnci.org www.vnci.org EXPERT RECOMMENDS STRATEGY FOR MARKETING DRAGON FRUIT IN EUROPE HO CHI MINH CITY − Dragon fruit from Vietnam already enjoys a strong reputation among European importers, but as competition from other exporting countries increases, Vietnam’s fruit industry must take action to maintain and improve its market share. Steven Humphreys, an international expert on marketing tropical fruits in Europe, discussed these and other findings with over 60 fruit industry stakeholders today at a workshop sponsored by USAID’s Vietnam Competitiveness Initiative (VNCI) project. A similar event will also be held in Binh Thuan province on July 15. According to Mr. Humphreys, the principal challenges confronting Vietnamese producers and exporters in the European market include: high transportation costs, lack of access to new varieties of fruit, and greater availability of dragon fruit from other countries such as Thailand, Israel and Colombia. “In order to sustain its current position as the dominant supplier of dragon fruit in Europe, the Vietnamese fruit industry should work together to address these constraints. There are several specific steps that stakeholders can take, including: improving fruit quality through application of EUREPGAP procedures and adoption of new and better varieties, lowering air freight costs by consolidating shipments and improving packaging, and focusing on key markets such as the Netherlands and France, where the main buyers of dragon fruit are located,” he concluded. “Improving post harvest and handling procedures, such as cold storage, is also necessary.” Linking to other donor efforts VNCI plans to apply the results of Mr. Humphrey’s extensive market research to the Dragon Fruit GAP Project (“DGP”), a collaborative initiative funded by AusAID, USAID and SOFRI that aims to help Vietnam’s fruit industry adopt Good Agricultural Practices and access higher-value export markets. The DGP is already working with local farmers, exporters and government officials to achieve EUREPGAP certification. “With this new information on the European market and potential competition, we can now help local businesses develop a marketing strategy for boosting exports and strengthening Vietnam’s reputation as a reliable source for high-quality dragon fruit,” commented Ms. Nguyen Phuong Thao, DGP Project Coordinator. About VNCI VNCI is a five year, USAID-funded economic growth project to improve the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Vietnam. The project has three components: policy environment, SME capacity building, and SME access to finance. VNCI is managed by Development Alternatives, Inc. (DAI) of Bethesda, MD. ### 9