HÀ NỘI — The ‘Sơn La Longan and Safe Farm Produce Week 2018’ officially kicked off at Big C Thăng Long (Hà Nội) on July 21, hosted by the Sơn La People’s Committee.

This is the first time the provincial authority in cooperation with Big C and Central Group Vietnam have organised such an event to introduce and promote the consumption of safe agricultural products, especially longan, from Sơn La Province.

Twenty kiosks are divided into three groups including Sơn La-brand produce, vegetables and fruits, and processed food products. Among them are many products certified VietGap and GlobalGAP such as longan, mango, avocado, Mộc Châu banana, green gourd, red dragon fruit, cabbage, tomatoes, garlic and green peas.

Vũ Đức Thuận, deputy director of the provincial Department of Planning and Investment and Investment Promotion Centre, said that Sơn La Province has maintained 15 safe longan production areas, with 5,000 tonnes of products certified by VietGap, of which 1,500 tonnes are granted exportation codes to the United States, Australia, Japan, South Korea and ASEAN members.

In 2017, the province had nine products granted Trademark Registration Certificates. This year, it will continue to build and develop brands for 12 products.

“Sơn La Province hopes through Big C outlets, safe farm produce of Sơn La Province in general and its brand products in particular will be widely known in the country and abroad. The increases in production and consumption will help improve incomes and livelihoods for ethnic minority people in the locality,” Thuận said.

The organiser set up a special stall to introduce off-season vegetables from Vân Hồ District in the framework of the community livelihood programme ‘Support Farmers in Vân Hồ District, Sơn La Province’ funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) and Central Group Vietnam.

The event will last until July 27. — VNS