Hà Nội attracts investment in agricultural product processing

The industrial slaughter line before processing at the factory of Vinh Anh Food Technology Joint Stock Company in Thường Tín District, Hà Nội. — VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Many businesses have invested in facilities, built processing plants and developed cold storage and preservation systems to enhance the quality of agricultural products.

The Hà Nội Department of Agriculture has supported these businesses in improving production capabilities, processing and applying advanced quality management systems in their factories to ensure food safety and hygiene.

Director of Ba Vì Dairy Joint Stock Company, Lê Hoàng Vinh, said that to purchase fresh milk from farmers, the company invested in modern production lines to process fresh milk into yoghurt, milk cakes and other products. The company also implemented comprehensive food safety procedures, such as the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) system and has trained workers to meet international standards for product traceability and labelling.

General Director of Videli Food Processing Joint Stock Company in Đông Anh district, Tô Tuấn Kiệt, said that the company was currently producing 13 food products, including fried fermented pork, pork sausages and dumplings, on South Korean technology lines that ensure freshness, shorten preparation time for consumers and maintain food safety.

Each month, the company produces and supplies between 180 and 200 tonnes of products to the market.

According to Head of the Quality Control, Processing and Market Development Sub-department under the Hà Nội Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Nguyễn Thị Thu Hằng, Hà Nội is home to over 14,081 facilities producing and trading agricultural, forestry and fishery products. Of these, approximately 250 companies have invested in modern machinery and more than 1,700 facilities are capable of deep processing of agricultural products.

The Hà Nội Department of Agriculture has encouraged food production and trading establishments to upgrade equipment and facilities to ensure food safety. Additionally, the department has supported these establishments in building and applying advanced quality management programs such as VietGAP, HACCP, and ISO 22000, to enhance product quality. To date, the department has supported 95 establishments in obtaining HACCP certification and assisted 45 businesses in registering trademarks with the Intellectual Property Office.

Post-harvest processing is a critical step that modern agriculture aims for as it increases the value of agricultural products, reduces risks and limits losses.

Currently, Hà Nội produces around 1,000 tonnes of post-harvest processed food each month, while the city's demand is about 5,350 tonnes, so meeting only around 20 per cent of the need.

A representative from Minh Tiến Group, Dương Chu Kiên, believes that to attract investment in processing, authorities should help businesses access preferential capital and address challenges during implementation.

Furthermore, local governments must plan growing and farming areas and apply new technologies to ensure green, clean and high-quality products, facilitating business links with farmers for product purchase.

Director of Hà Nội's Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Nguyễn Xuân Đại, said that the city would focus on key products with large production areas for deep processing. For fruits, the focus would be on dried bananas and citrus juice, for vegetables, on processed herbs and dietary products and for livestock, on processed pork products.

On 4 July 2023, the Hà Nội People's Council issued Resolution No. 08/2023/NQ-HĐND, encouraging agricultural development, including policies to promote processing facilities and support digital transformation in machinery and equipment.

Hà Nội aims for 50 per cent of post-harvest processing facilities for vegetables, fruits, meat, eggs and milk to use modern machinery and high-tech equipment by 2025.

By 2030, the city plans to establish 15 agricultural processing facilities linked to value chains, using modern technology to meet both domestic and export market demands.