Return to traditional practice the result of costs and work for little return farmers say
Vietnam: Growers turning their back on GlobalGap
The problem, growers say, is that they don't actually see much more money for produce grown once they have the accreditation and compliance with regulations is time consuming and hard work.
Only around 30% of GlobalGap grown produce in the country is receiving higher prices and these have been described as "slight." Also, traders are not only not paying the right amount of money for the produce they are not buying all of it - which means the remainder must be sold at markets for the normal price.
One grower, Nguyen Ngoc Dieu, who spent a year getting the certification, but has now returned to traditional practice said, "for over the last three years (since abandoning the GlobalGap certification) I no longer have to work as hard for the good practice standards, but I can still sell the fruits fro a reasonable price."
He's not alone. 23 out of 26 members of a grapefruit co-operative have also retreated from the certification.
Neither is the hard work the only deterrent according to the growers - cost is also an issue. Upon annual renewal the cost to a farmer is USD $3,200, or $7,000 for a co-operative. Initially this was being funded by investors or by local authorities, but when it comes to renewal time it is up to the growers themselves to find the money. A lot of them, with no indication of significantly improved finances are questioning the point of doing so.
Source: www.tuoitrenews.vn
