Hanoi authorities have created a useful forum on fostering farm produce consumption in the city through promoting trade and sale of such items which are in the harvest season amid social distancing. 

Director-General, Chief of the Central Coordination Office on New Rural Development Nguyen Minh Tien. HNT Photos: Phi Nhat

Addressing the online forum held on September 1, Director General, Chief of the Central Coordination Office on New Rural Development Nguyen Minh Tien said the forum brings producers, consumers, and retailers together for business matching. 

“This is a very effective activity in the context of the complicated development of the Covid-19 pandemic as many localities are implementing social distancing rules,” he said.

The forum drew the participation of 18 districts with 52 manufacturers of OCOP products and 75 farmers producing safe agricultural items, as well as distributors, retailers, and consumers in the city. 

Due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, it is difficult for farmers in Hanoi’s rural districts to sell their produce. 

Hoang Thi Thuy Nga, Deputy Head of the Economic Division of Gia Lam District, introduced at the forum some farm produce, which needs to be sold including 100 tons of longan harvested in Trau Quy town, and 50 tons of Le Chi Commune’s daikon 

From Phu Xuyen District, Le Tien Xuan, Head of the locality’s Economic Department, said they need to sell 15-25 tons of fish per week, alongside green bananas, spicy vegetables, and high-quality rice.

From October to December, the district is expected to harvest 1,200-1,500 tons of Dien pomelo and need to sell 400 tons per month from November 2021 to January 2022.

Le Tien Xuan, Head of Phu Xuyen District's Economic Department.

At the forum, a number of products were ordered by interested distributors, retailers, and consumers, according to the Hanoi Office of New Rural Development Program Coordination. It is expected to be a channel to overcome the disruption of production and supply chains of agricultural products in the city in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The event was part of a series of activities conducted by the Hanoi Office of New Rural Development Program Coordination to help business households find stable outlets for their products in the tough context.

A series of activities have been held by Hanoi authorities to boost the sale of farm produce including two Hanoi OCOP-labeled specialty festivals through live streaming in June and training courses for 60 members about live streaming and story-writing skills to promote OCOP products and thereby engage shoppers.

Hanoi is piloting an online night market model to promote sales of the capital’s OCOP-labeled products which take place from 8.30pm to 10pm every Friday at the website www.ocop.vip from now until December 31.

The activities have contributed to promoting the campaign the “Vietnamese people to priority using Vietnamese goods” in the new stage and accelerating digital transformation in the agricultural sector to increase added value to the products in association with sustainable development.