Amid fears of unsafe food, Vietnam needs a policy to boost clean agriculture

A net house for agricultural production in Ha Giang province (Source: Bao Ha Giang)
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ABO/NDO - Recently clean agriculture has become a buzzword in Vietnam as the urgent need for safe food is growing due to the consequences of rampant food contamination and the distribution of food without clear origins.

Illustrative image. Photo: HUU CHI.

Such a strong demand is providing an unprecedented opportunity for Vietnam to modernise its agricultural sector.

However it is not an easy to task to produce clean and traceable agricultural goods with affordable prices to all segments of consumers. Analysts have stated that although the government has introduced various policies to develop clean agriculture, inadequacies are causing concern for both producers and consumers.

Clean agricultural products are facing stiff competition from contaminated products as they require greater costs, time and effort than conventional farming methods.

In addition, consumers find it hard to differentiate between clean and contaminated foods, whose domination over hygienic products is further aggravated by the habit of consumers preferring cheap food and purchasing products at convenient but unregulated stores.

Despite these challenges, clean agriculture is an inevitable trend to meet the needs of health-conscious consumers and help the agricultural sector to grow in a more sustainable manner.

Therefore it is necessary for the government agencies to firstly step up their control over food contaminated with harmful substances by imposing strict rules and sanctions. The next step is to introduce favourable policies for clean agricultural producers, such as streamlining administrative procedures, providing financial assistance and reducing taxes.

Recently the World Bank published a report on the agricultural pollution in Vietnam and recommendations to deal with the issue, including improving the livestock industry’s waste management, reducing fertiliser losses that harm the environment, and minimising the use of toxic substances in pesticides, among others.

The government needs to introduce new policies that encourage farmers to change their farming techniques towards more sustainable methods as well as taking action to deal with pollution challenges and restructure agricultural production in a more sustainable fashion.

In Vietnam, the World Bank’s financial resources have helped scale up agricultural models that produce high yields, reduce pollution and improve resilience against climate change.

Along with the assistance of international organisations, Vietnam is formulating strategic goals on food safety and environmental hygiene through effective management policies. This is the groundwork for Vietnam’s clean agriculture to gradually move towards steady and sustainable development.

(Source: NDO)