Standardizing data on Production Unit Code for lychee exports

Phuong Nam early-ripening lychees were trademarked by the National Office of Intellectual Property under the Ministry of Science and Technology in 2013. Quang Ninh Provincial People's Committee has designated this lychee brand as one of the 17 local concentrated agricultural goods.

There are over 1,500 farming households in Phuong Nam ward that have converted from producing inefficient rice to early-ripening lychees, with an area of ​​nearly 400 hectares.

Production Unit Code has cemented itself as a mandatory requirement for all international shipments of fresh fruit. In order to improve production capacity and meet export standards, Quang Ninh Sub-Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection is implementing a standardized Production Unit Code model for Phuong Nam's lychee following the OTAS system.

The OTAS system features origin traceability and authentication based on downstream and upstream products, including agricultural items. Authentication via the OTAS system provides a basis for negotiating technical barriers with export markets, especially those in the EU.

Agricultural products must meet a number of requirements, such as concentrated farming, unique farming, uniformed cultivation method, disease prevention, farming record with an emphasis on pesticide use, in order to receive an OTAS-compliant Production Unit Code.

According to the standardized Production Unit Code model for Phuong Nam's early-ripening lychees, farmers are required to collect information and determine the coordinates of their production area and compile data on harmful organisms in the last three crops. Furthermore, they are subject to preliminary inspection of pesticide and fertilizer use as well as adherence to good agricultural practice standards.

Quang Ninh Sub-Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection coordinated with OTAS Global Joint Stock Company to measure and map production areas in August 2022. Subsequently, the parties completed the database of concentrated and scattered production areas; evaluated pests on crops and monitor pesticide residues.

On the other hand, the Sub-Department has instructed establishments with Production Unit Code and packaging establishments on phytosanitary export requirements and prohibited pests.

Quang Ninh Sub-Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection coordinates with representatives from production areas, Phuong Nam Ward People's Committee, the Center for Agricultural Technical Service and the Economic Department of Uong Bi City on a monthly basis. Accordingly, the parties will examine the application of good agricultural practices, compliance with OTAS requirements and standards regarding the Production Unit Code.

In addition, OTAS experts will cooperate with staff under the Department of Plant Protection to perform an annual evaluation of compliance with the requirements of production area management based on the records previously standardized by the OTAS system.

According to Mr. Tran Van Thuc, Deputy Director of Quang Ninh Sub-Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection, management of the OTAS-based Production Unit Code is currently utilized by many developed countries around the world such as the EU, Australia, Japan, etc. The OTAS system helps ensure transparency in the traceability and authentication of the good's origin, while also meeting the requirements for phytosanitary in importing countries.

The application of the OTAS system will be expanded to an area of 30 hectares in the near future. After project completion, the system can be expanded to cover other key fruit trees in Quang Ninh province.

Quang Ninh Sub-Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection aims to maintain and operate the system of production area records, routinely inspect and monitor the use of fertilizers and pesticides in production areas; collect samples to test for pesticide residues; evaluate pests the banned list; update data on the system through the www.otasglobal.com website; issue traceability stamps; coordinate with various local governments to export and develop international markets.

In order to meet the strict requirements of the market regarding product quality, food hygiene and safety, Uong Bi City approved the Project for VietGAP-compliant production of Phuong Nam early-ripening lychees in 2017. After four years of project implementation, the production, output and consumption of Phuong Nam lychees have improved markedly. Namely, Phuong Nam ward had 315 hectares of lychees with a yield of 1,050 tons, and a revenue of 31.5 billion VND in 2015. By 2020, the ward has reached over 372 hectares of lychee with a yield of 4,000 tons, and a revenue of 100 billion VND.