Enhancing the value of agricultural products through processing and preservation technology

On October 22, a meeting was held in Gia Lai to discuss the topic of "Introducing technology and fostering cooperation in the field of food processing and preservation in the Central Highlands region".

This event was organized through collaboration between the management board of the technical assistance project “Vietnam innovation center for climate change adaptation (VCIC)", which is overseen by the Ministry of Science and Technology, and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO).

The Central Highlands region, benefiting from its favorable land, climate, and soil conditions, is currently witnessing significant growth in fruit cultivation, with over 153.000 hectares dedicated to various fruit crops. Among these, key fruits such as durian, avocado, passion fruit, bananas, and citrus fruits are gaining a solid foothold in the export market. However, in order to enhance both the value and competitiveness of these agricultural products in the marketplace, the application of advanced technology in preservation and processing is of utmost importance.

At the meeting, experts shared various technological solutions for the preservation and processing of agricultural products. Dr. Pham Anh Tuan, a representative from the Vietnam Institute of Agricultural Engineering and Post-Harvest Technology under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, proposed an industrial-scale model for the preliminary processing, preservation, and processing of key fruits such as durian, avocado, and passion fruit. Additionally, Dr. Tuan introduced several advanced technologies, including quick chilling, super-fast freezing, and freeze-drying.

These innovative technologies play a crucial role in several ways: they enable rapid preliminary processing and sorting of the fruits, effectively manage fungal diseases, and significantly extend the storage life of the products. Moreover, they help to maintain the quality and nutritional value of the agricultural products.

Dr. Pham Anh Tuan also underscored the critical importance of enhancing skills among the workforce in the field of post-harvest technology. "Training farmers and businesses to effectively utilize modern preservation technologies is essential for ensuring production efficiency", Dr. Tuan said.

Mr. Pablo Juliano, the Head of the Supply Chain and Food Processing Group at CSIRO, shared valuable insights on the collaborative efforts between CSIRO and the Ministry of Science and Technology. This collaboration focuses on fostering innovation and the application of scientific advancements in agriculture. Additionally, he presented several tailored solution packages and best practices aimed at improving preservation and processing techniques. These initiatives are designed to reduce post-harvest losses and increase the market value of three key fruit types: avocado, durian and passion fruit.

“Applying processing technologies such as drying, canning, and deep processing is essential for helping agricultural products retain their flavor and quality while simultaneously expanding market access. These advanced processing technologies have been successfully implemented in numerous projects in Australia, and we look forward to transfer this valuable expertise to Vietnamese businesses", Mr. Pablo emphasized.

The meeting also served as an important platform for representatives from various businesses and cooperatives to voice their opinions regarding the advantages and challenges associated with implementing processing and preservation technologies for agricultural products. Many attendees shared that they are facing significant difficulties, including high initial investment costs, a lack of capital, and limited access to information about available technologies. Furthermore, some small businesses and cooperatives pointed out their struggle with a lack of necessary skills to effectively operate modern technologies.

Mr. Le Van Thanh from the Agricultural Production, Trade, Service, and Tourism Cooperative Ia Mo Nong, located in Chu Pah district, Gia Lai province, conveyed that their cooperative is very eager to learn about and apply modern processing and preservation technologies for agricultural products. However, he highlighted that the high initial investment costs present a significant challenge. Unfortunately, they have not yet been able to identify suitable financial support sources to assist with these costs.

In addition, several medium and small agricultural processing enterprises shared their experiences during the discussion. They indicated that while they have experimented with some new technologies, they encounter difficulties in maintaining the quality of their products after processing. Thereby, these businesses expressed a clear desire for support from relevant authorities, particularly in the areas of workforce training and access to comprehensive information about available technologies.

Mr. Pham Duc Nghiem, the Deputy Director of the Department of Market Development and Science and Technology Enterprises, as well as the Director of the VCIC Project Management Board, emphasized the necessity for robust support from government agencies to foster the development of technology for processing and preserving agricultural products. He highlighted that this support should specifically include assisting businesses in accessing technology, securing funding, obtaining information, and building a supportive ecosystem for enterprises. Additionally, it is crucial to enhance the capacity for mastering technology from developed countries through international cooperation.

"This represents a significant step forward in helping businesses in the Central Highlands overcome their current challenges. It aims to promote sustainable development and improve the global standing of agricultural products from the Central Highlands, as well as those from Vietnam as a whole, in the international market", Mr. Nghiem stated.