Govt helps supermarkets build ties with farmers

Sai Gon Trade Co-operative (Sai Gon Co.op) has signed an agreement with the Lam Dong Province Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to secure farm produce for their supermarkets.

Under the co-operation deal signed last month, the department assists farmers who grow crops that meet standards of Vietnamese Good Agricultural Practice (VietGap) to supply Sai Gon Co.op.

The new co-operation is securing a steady outlet for farmers.

Sai Gon Co.op and the agriculture department will jointly hold skills courses for farmers so they can meet Co.op standards.

Bui Hanh Thu, deputy general director of Sai Gon Co.op, said to ensure quality and quantity, Sai Gon Co.op will pay in advance and supply farmers with market information.

Previously, Sai Gon Co.op had similar contracts with the departments of Agriculture and Rural Development of HCM City and Tien Giang Province to buy agricultural products.

Thu said Sai Gon Co.op would seek more agriculture-based provinces to secure supply for its supermarket chain.

Similarly, the Big C supermarket chain has implemented a project to support small and medium enterprises, especially in agriculture and food sectors since 2008.

Under the project, Big C contracts farmers, agriculture co-operatives and enterprises in Cuu Long Delta, Lam Dong Province and other provinces where there are Big C supermarkets to buy produce.

Duong Thi Quynh Trang, foreign affairs director of Big C, said the direct co-operation between Big C and farm producers had helped reduce and stabilise the price of fruit and vegetables at the supermarket, especially during holidays and Tet (Lunar New Year) festival.

Fruit from the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta provinces and vegetables from Central Highland province of Lam Dong now occupied an important part in Big C supermarkets, giving shoppers more choices, Trang said. — VNS

Tags: Vietnam retail market, Vietnam supermarkets