Growing area codes - "Passports" for agricultural products

In the context of globalization and deep integration, the consumer market increasingly places strict requirements on traceability, food safety, and production processes. Establishing growing area codes and packaging facility codes is a mandatory requirement of many importing countries and a powerful transformation of Son La's agricultural sector in the digital transformation and sustainable development roadmap.

Recognizing that Son La province has promptly implemented synchronous solutions to build and manage growing area codes, consider this the foundation for developing agricultural products that meet export standards. Accordingly, the Sub-Department of Cultivation and Plant Protection under the Department of Agriculture and Environment of the province is assigned the task of managing, supervising, and granting growing area codes and closely coordinating with enterprises, cooperatives, and households to apply production processes according to VietGAP, GlobalGAP standards, etc.

Effectiveness of figures

Since the beginning of 2024, the province has issued 10 new growing area codes applied to agricultural products such as bamboo shoots, green vegetables, strawberries, coffee, and rice, with over 177 hectares. In addition, the province has also proposed to issue export codes for 02 mango growing areas with an area of 25 hectares, targeting potential markets such as China and South Korea. Notably, it has authorized the use of export codes for 05 growing areas of agricultural products such as mangoes, bananas, and plums - typical products with competitive strengths of the province.

The insurance of the quality and maintaining the reputation of Son La agricultural products in the international market, supervision, and inspection work have been strengthening. Currently, the Sub-Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection is supervising 211 growing areas and 11 packaging facilities in the province. At the same time, the province has revoked 09 growing area codes due to crop structure conversion and 03 packaging facility codes that do not meet technical requirements, demonstrating seriousness and transparency in quality management.

So far, Son La has maintained 213 export growing area codes for fruit trees, strawberries, bamboo shoots, coffee, etc., exported to many markets such as China, Europe, and Asian countries. The province also has 08 agricultural product packaging facility codes that meet international standards, ensuring that post-harvest products are preserved and packaged according to the correct process, maintaining the same quality when reaching international consumers.

Towards modern and sustainable agriculture

Building a growing area code is both a technical solution and an important lever to promote digital transfer in agriculture. Each growing area and each batch of products can be traced to their origin, and information about plant varieties, care processes, fertilizer use, pesticides, etc., can be recorded via electronic software, creating transparency and trust with the consumer market.

The active participation of authorities at all levels, the agricultural sector, and the support of cooperatives, enterprises, and farmers have created an ecosystem for safe, sustainable, and export-oriented farming production. The above is the key to enhancing the value of Son La farm produce, helping local farm products stand firm in the domestic market and confidently conquer the global market.

In the coming time, Son La will continue to promote training programs and technical guidance for people and cooperatives, invest in post-harvest technology, expand links with export enterprises, and regularly update requirements from international markets to maintain and enlarge the system of growing area codes and packaging facilities. The above activities are a task and an opportunity for Son La to affirm its position as the center for clean, high-quality agricultural production in the country.

Quoc Tuan

Translated by Tuan Minh Dang