Organic Thinking for Consumers

Q: Should consumers also adopt an organic philosophy?

Mr. Viên: Today, as we face a crisis of contaminated food, the organic philosophy must emerge and spread. It’s time to promote this philosophy so people understand it properly. I believe as Vietnamese consumers become more affluent, they’ll analyze why some products are cheap. Once they understand, they’ll reject industrial goods and non-organic products. Just examine what you’re about to eat—you’ll see that paying more for organic is worth it.

Addressing Environmental Challenges

Q: How do we deal with polluted soil and water when developing organic agriculture?

Mr. Viên: Restoring nature takes time, but solutions exist. First, we should seek more remote, natural areas—like U Minh in the Mekong Delta or the region between Đà Lạt and Nha Trang. These areas have fertile soil suitable for organic farming and should be developed first. Government support is essential to help people access land in these regions. Land should be allocated to farmers, not held by the state. The government must provide clear guidance and infrastructure, such as water reservoirs, to support organic development.

Vinamit’s Organic Journey

Q: As a pioneer in organic investment, can you share Vinamit’s experience?

Mr. Viên: We’re currently building a 200-hectare organic farm in Bình Dương. By next year or the end of this year, we expect to receive organic certification. Vegetables will be ready first, followed by jackfruit, and then short-cycle crops like bananas, pineapples, and dragon fruit. Long-cycle crops will take more time. We’re also developing a small organic cattle farm with a few hundred cows to produce organic fertilizer.

Market Reach and Expansion

Q: Will Vinamit’s organic products be widely available?

Mr. Viên: Initially, we’ll focus on exports and sell a small amount at Vinamit stores and supermarkets. Widespread distribution isn’t possible yet due to limited supply. We’ll continue sourcing from local farmers until we expand our satellite farms—like the coconut-growing region in Bến Tre. We plan to collaborate with young startup farmers to build large organic fields. They’ll supply products for Vinamit to process using clean technology and offer them at reasonable prices.

We’ve already opened our first “Vinamit Organic” store at 84 Nguyễn Du, District 1, showcasing organic products. By year-end, we’ll launch several more stores in Ho Chi Minh City, offering organic juices and coffee.

Thank you, Mr. Viên, for sharing your insights!