Gia Lai: Enterprises take lead in building value chain

Farmers gain confidence in production

Amid increasingly fierce market competition, production linkages associated with product consumption are no longer optional but have become essential for the agricultural sector to develop sustainably and enhance added value.

Reality has shown that the previous model of small-scale, fragmented production has revealed many limitations, particularly the recurring situation of bumper harvests accompanied by falling prices and unstable market outlets. Therefore, linking the value chain among farmers, cooperatives, and enterprises is becoming a core way to restructure the agricultural sector toward a more modern direction.

In Gia Lai, coffee production has emerged as a driving force in participating in modern production linkages and applying high technology. At Viet Tien Agricultural Cooperative in Ia Phi Commune, 540 hectares of coffee cultivated by nearly 500 members have been organized systematically under international standards such as 4C and UTZ through partnerships with leading enterprises including Sucafina and Vinh Hiep.

According to Mr. Hoang Viet Thang, Director of Viet Tien Agricultural Cooperative, a key highlight of the model is the strong application of technology in management and production. Farmers gain access to satellite data to monitor soil moisture and nutrient levels, helping them optimize cultivation processes toward sustainability. As a result, the cooperative’s coffee products not only meet international certification standards but are also sold at prices approximately VND 2,000 per kilogram above the market average.

In passion fruit production, the model developed by Mr. Pham Van Huan (Ia Lok Village, Ia Ly Commune) is a clear demonstration of the effectiveness of production linkages. A few years ago, after switching to cultivating two hectares of passion fruit under a value chain partnership with Nafoods Group, his family’s income increased significantly.

Currently, the passion fruit farm yields an average of around 40 tons per hectare, with purchasing prices ranging from VND 14,000 to 15,000 per kilogram. After deducting investment costs, his family earns an annual profit of approximately VND 500 - 600 million. "Joining the value chain has helped my family avoid dependence on traders. Product outlets are guaranteed and stable, so we feel secure investing in long-term production," Mr. Huan shared.

Beyond purchasing products, enterprises operating in Gia Lai Province are also playing a leading role in building closed-loop production chains. From supplying certified seedlings and transferring technical know-how to purchasing and processing products, all stages are organized in a synchronized manner to control quality and enhance the value of agricultural products.

Linkages is Nafoods’ long-term solution

For Nafoods Group, this is not merely a business strategy but also a fundamental solution for developing sustainable agriculture in the Central Highlands in general and Gia Lai Province in particular.

In 2025, Nafoods Group partnered with 37 cooperatives and local units in Gia Lai to develop passion fruit growing areas. Through this model, the company has connected with 1,428 farming households, forming a raw material zone covering more than 2,000 hectares.

Beyond passion fruit, the linkage model has also been expanded by Nafoods Group to other crops such as coffee and durian, with thousands of hectares registered to participate. The establishment of concentrated raw material zones enables the company to proactively secure supply sources while also creating a foundation for deep processing and export development.

Sharing the company’s goals for developing production linkages in Gia Lai, Mr. Ho Hai Quan, Director of Nafoods Tay Nguyen JSC, said that during the 2026 - 2030 period, Nafoods plans to develop 6,000 hectares of passion fruit, 30,000 hectares of coffee, 5,000 hectares of durian, and 3,000 hectares of pineapple. The company will standardize data and establish planting area codes for key crops associated with its processing complex in Gia Lai.

"Nafoods Group is committed to investing in and building closed-loop value chain linkages toward a modern and stable agricultural ecosystem. The company works alongside farmers and local authorities in organizing production and managing farming areas effectively, while minimizing risks caused by pests, weather conditions, and market fluctuations, thereby contributing to higher incomes and improved living standards for local people," Mr. Quan said.

According to Mr. Quan, to realize these goals, Nafoods is implementing a range of synchronized solutions. The company focuses on supplying certified seedlings and agricultural inputs, transferring scientific and technological advances, organizing training programs, and guiding farmers to produce according to standards such as VietGAP, GlobalGAP, and organic farming practices. In particular, the company purchases products under contractual agreements, creating stable market outlets that help farmers confidently invest in and maintain long-term participation in the value chain.

251,000 hectares of crops under production linkages

Mr. Tran Xuan Khai, Head of the Sub-Department of Plant Production and Protection of Gia Lai Province, said that the province currently has more than 251,000 hectares of crops participating in production linkages linked to product consumption, an increase of over 300 hectares from the end of 2025. The model comprises 98 cooperatives, 72 cooperative groups, 47 farmer associations, and 72 enterprises, gradually forming large-scale, stable agricultural value chains.

Following the Provincial People’s Committee's direction, the Gia Lai agricultural sector has worked with enterprises and localities to organize thematic workshops on developing sustainable raw material zones for key crops such as passion fruit, coffee, and durian. These efforts aim to strengthen connections among enterprises, cooperatives, and farmers, promoting production in accordance with standards to support processing and export.

At present, specialized agencies are continuing to support and connect enterprises with local farmers to develop standardized raw material zones. Several linkage models have already been implemented, including cooperation with Sen Viet to develop an export-oriented durian cultivation area in Chu Se and Ia Grai communes, covering more than 60 hectares, thereby forming concentrated production zones with quality-control mechanisms in place.

"In the coming period, the provincial agricultural sector will continue reviewing and selecting enterprises with strong financial capacity, credibility, and long-term commitment to expand production linkages. This is considered a key solution for developing sustainable commodity raw material zones, enhancing the value of agricultural products, and improving competitiveness in the market," Mr. Tran Xuan Khai said.

$ 1 = VND 26,379 - Source: Vietcombank.