Dak Lak officials receive training on growing area and packing facility codes

On August 26, in Dak Lak province, the Plant Production and Protection Department (PPPD-MAE), in coordination with the Dak Lak Department of Agriculture and Environment, held a training conference on issuing and managing growing area codes and packing facility codes under Government Resolution No. 36/NQ-CP, dated July 31, 2026.

Making the opening speech, Luong Anh Tuan, Director of the Plant Production and Protection Center of Central Viet Nam under the PPPD, said that the issuance of growing area and packing facility codes had previously fallen under the authority of provincial-level specialized agencies. The process was often time-consuming and involved complex paperwork, creating difficulties for farmers and cooperatives.

With the issuance of Resolution No. 36/NQ-CP, the Government has now introduced a major reform by fully decentralizing this process to commune-level People's Committee chairpersons, who will directly make decisions and manage the codes.

While this decentralization creates favorable conditions for farmers, cooperatives, and businesses, it also places significant responsibilities on commune-level authorities. From a technical perspective, local officials must understand cultivation techniques and growing-area standards to guide residents. On the technology side, they must be able to operate a fully digitalized system and process 100% of applications online.

As for management, the stronger shift toward post-approval inspections requires grassroots officials to conduct close monitoring and prevent the misuse or fraudulent use of codes, which could damage the reputation of local agricultural products.

At the training session, Bui Xuan Phong, Head of the Plant Production and Protection Division under the Plant Production and Protection Department, presented and explained the procedures for issuing and managing growing area and packing facility codes under Government Resolution No. 36/NQ-CP, dated July 31, 2026.

The training covered key issues under the new regulations, including a detailed review of the major changes introduced by Resolution No. 36/NQ-CP, particularly the 50% reduction in administrative procedures and the removal of minimum area requirements. Participants also received step-by-step guidance on using the software, receiving applications, and returning results to applicants online as quickly as possible, as well as discussions on field inspection skills and methods for monitoring growing areas after codes have been issued.

The PPPD provided guidance on technical requirements for traceability, production recordkeeping, packing, and export market requirements. Officials were also instructed on how to complete procedures through the National Public Service Portal, and local difficulties and concerns about implementing the new regulations were addressed.

“The training was highly important because issuing and managing growing area and packing facility codes helps enhance the reputation and protect the brand of the province's agricultural products while supporting farmers' incomes,” said Dang Thi Thuy, Deputy Director of the Dak Lak Department of Agriculture and Environment.

According to Dang Thi Thuy, mobile digital action teams under the Dak Lak Department of Agriculture and Environment have simultaneously launched an intensive “30 days and nights” field campaign to digitize, standardize, update, and connect data on durian growing area and packing facility codes across 72 key communes and wards in the province.

In addition to issuing growing area and packing facility codes, authorities will strengthen inspections and provide support to localities to ensure that the required standards are met and that the codes continue to be maintained in line with efforts to reorganize production according to market demand.

Regarding the management of growing area codes, Dak Lak would focus on quality rather than quantity. Codes must be linked to production areas that meet the required standards and criteria. The approach will initially be applied to the durian sector before expanding to other agricultural products.

“I hope that following today's training, officials assigned to oversee growing area codes will proactively review their current work and address any shortcomings, especially by guiding farmers toward production practices that comply with regulations from the outset,” said Dang Thi Thuy.