The Ho Chi Minh City Farmers’ Association has effectively organized study trips for farmers abroad since 2023. This initiative is in line with Decision 3411/QĐ-UBND dated August 15, 2023, from the City People’s Committee, which approved the project “Organizing Study Tours for Farmers to Exchange Production Experiences and Promote Agricultural Products Abroad for the Period 2023-2025.”
Study Tours for Farmers
In 2024 alone, the Ho Chi Minh City Farmers’ Association organized two delegations to Japan and Taiwan (China) for observation and learning purposes.
From September 29 to October 5, 2024, a delegation of 17 members led by Mrs. Huỳnh Thị Kim Xuyến – Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Permanent Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Farmers’ Association visited and worked in Taipei.
The delegation visited a ornamental fish farming model at Song Khê Goldfish Farm, which has an effective water treatment system from input to output. They were introduced to the selection of breeds, feeding regimes, and care for fish in both cold and warm seasons.
Notably, the group visited the Ngưu Chương Chi Mushroom Farm operated by Joben Biomedical Co., Ltd. This unique agricultural model in Taiwan specializes in growing mushrooms on the Ngưu Chương tree, which is classified as a national treasure in Taiwan.
Additionally, the delegation explored the TAIPU Tea Farm in Nantou, which offers a unique and friendly business model, showcasing cheerful farmers as the brand’s emblem for various specialty teas and traditional tea culture experiences in Taiwan.
From October 20 to 26, 2024, another delegation of 18 members, led by Mrs. Nguyễn Thị Ngọc Hạnh – Member of the Party Committee and Vice Chairwoman of the Ho Chi Minh City Farmers’ Association, visited Japan for exchange and collaboration.
The group visited the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum, home to over 120 bonsai masterpieces, along with woodblock prints and historical art pieces centered around the culture of bonsai. This museum attracts enthusiasts from around the world.
Next, the delegation toured the Hoplus Agriex agricultural production and trading company, the Tomato Park, and learned about high-tech vegetable cultivation at Daio Wasabi Farm.
The group also visited Kawakami Village, known for its high-quality vegetable production, supplying 70% of Japan’s clean vegetable output during the summer months. Additionally, they visited Dainichi Farm, where they discussed and shared experiences in large koi fish farming and learned about ornamental fish farming practices.
Opportunities for Collaboration
Following their study tour in Japan, a delegation from Agriex Co., Ltd., led by Mr. Abe Hideaki, visited the Ho Chi Minh City Farmers’ Association to exchange and collaborate. Together, they explored high-tech agricultural models at the High-Tech Agricultural Zone in Ho Chi Minh City.
Agriex Co., Ltd. applies advanced farming techniques from Japanese farmers to enhance productivity and quality while reducing investment costs. They are eager to expand their collaboration and share agricultural techniques with farmers in Ho Chi Minh City.
The Ho Chi Minh City Farmers’ Association believes that through these trips, management personnel will learn about trade promotion programs, connecting agricultural production with product consumption—from production, processing, and preservation to packaging design, logo creation, branding, and marketing.
During these study trips, participants will exchange experiences on policy development, forms of support for farmers investing in high-tech agriculture, and product consumption, contributing to the growth of agriculture and rural areas. Participants will also learn about mechanization, automation, and modern agricultural models connected with rural eco-tourism.
Participants in these study tours are skilled farmers and members of agricultural cooperatives in Ho Chi Minh City, with a special focus on those producing key products and OCOP agricultural products; large-scale farmers; and farmers financially capable of expanding their operations and applying modern scientific technology in production.
According to the Ho Chi Minh City Farmers’ Association, in 2025, they will continue to organize two study delegations to exchange production experiences and promote agricultural products abroad. This will also be the final year of the project before the summary report to the City.