Trust from farmers, consumers, businesses, and authorities represents the tremendous value that PGS Vietnam has brought to society over 15 years since its establishment.
Reviewing the Development Journey of PGS
Context and Attendees of the 7th Congress
On the morning of December 15, 2023, in Hanoi, PGS Vietnam (Participatory Guarantee System), an entity under the Vietnam Organic Agriculture Association (VOAA), organized its 7th Congress celebrating 15 years of establishment (since 2008).
Delivering the opening address, Ms. Tu Thi Tuyet Nhung, Head of the PGS Vietnam Coordination Committee, recounted the journey of founding and developing PGS Vietnam through numerous trials and tribulations, emphasizing that she and her colleagues never lost determination in steering PGS Vietnam on the right course.
Following that, Mr. Tran Manh Chien, Deputy Head of the PGS Vietnam Coordination Committee and CEO of the Bac Tom clean food chain, reported on PGS Vietnam's activities during the 2021–2023 term.
Accordingly, PGS Vietnam was significantly impacted during this period by the Covid-19 pandemic: reductions in production acreage and markets; inspection, monitoring, and certification activities affected in the first half of the term; and subsequent efforts to gain experience, adapt to new conditions, and adjust regulations appropriately.
From the second half of 2022 onwards, PGS Vietnam's activities have steadily recovered. PGS Vietnam transitioned to the Center for Organic Development and Agricultural Sustainability (CODAS) and actively engaged in international events such as Naturland (Germany), NIFAM (Germany), and SHiFT – CIAT.
However, several prominent challenges remain: reduced production areas and yields due to Covid-19, climate change, and land reclamation or repurposing; an aging workforce without successors; internal inspections not yet functioning effectively, still relying heavily on the Coordination Committee; and an underdeveloped communication and advocacy network.
Over the past term, the Coordination Committee strove to manage product quality among producer inter-groups in Thanh Xuan (Soc Son), Luong Son (Hoa Binh), and Trac Van (Ha Nam) through strict inspections, supervision, input management, and production environment controls. Furthermore, to prevent fraud, PGS Vietnam implemented digital QR code technology to ensure transparency throughout the PGS system.
Regarding activity directions for Term VII: expanding the customer network by >50% and increasing business participation by >30%; digitalizing everything from field logs to retail; innovating operations towards an ecological, lean, empowered, and customer-oriented approach; refining internal operating regulations and rules for farmer and enterprise members; and proposing the establishment of a Field Oversight Committee within PGS or VOAA to strengthen compliance.
The Congress was also an occasion to express gratitude and honor individuals and collectives who contributed to the development of PGS Vietnam during the past term, including members of the Coordination Committee, partner businesses, and exemplary farmers.
In his keynote address, Dr. Ha Phuc Mich, President of the Vietnam Organic Agriculture Association (VOAA), noted that after 15 years of construction and development, Organic PGS Vietnam has only passed its initial phase marked by many difficulties and challenges. As a voluntary, self-governing organization founded on the recognition that Organic Agriculture is an inevitable trend of modern and future farming that benefits both producers and the community, all delegates attending this Congress are pioneers laying the groundwork for Vietnam's organic agriculture sector.
Therefore, Dr. Ha Phuc Mich expressed his hope that delegates would make wise choices to elect dedicated and visionary leaders capable of steering the Vietnam Organic PGS System toward increasingly robust growth, remaining true to its vision: “Organic PGS for the Future.”
Following the approval of amendments and supplements to PGS Vietnam's operational charter, the Congress elected the PGS Vietnam Coordination Committee for the 2024–2026 term, comprising 10 members: La Ngoc Anh, Tran Manh Chien, Tran Thi Dung, Nguyen Le Thu Ha, Dang Thi Bich Huong, Do Quang Khai, Tran Thi Ngoc Mai, Do Duc Thuan, Thai Anh Tuan, and Vu Le Y Voan, with strong consensus among the delegates.
The newly elected Head of the Coordination Committee is Mr. Tran Manh Chien (Director of the Bac Tom clean food chain), alongside two new Deputy Heads: Ms. Vu Le Y Voan (Senior Advisor to the Forest and Farm Facility of the Vietnam Farmers' Union) and Ms. Nguyen Le Thu Ha (expert in biological control and sustainable development, Regional Director of Igenomix Vietnam).
The 7th PGS Vietnam Congress concluded successfully, promising to open a vibrant new term that brings lasting value to society.
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