(VOVworld) – Tea growing has long been the main source of income for people in Ham Yen district, Tuyen Quang province. They are now applying VietGap standards to turn out safe, high quality products.

Ham Yen district has more than 2,000 hectares under tea cultivation. Growers have shifted from traditional techniques to VietGap standards to ensure product safety and quality. Mr. Pham Van Luan’s family has been involved in VietGap-based tea production since early 2013. He says the provincial Animal and Plant Protection Department has provided support to a 30-member cooperative in Ham Yen in growing and processing safe tea, marketing, and sales. They all had to commit to following VietGap standards, said Mr. Luan: “We must follow strict regulations on tea growing, tending, harvesting, and processing to ensure product safety. Other regulations include type of soil, certificate of origin, and water supply.”

3 years after joining the cooperative Pham Thi Huong’s family has become better off and built a 2-storey concrete house. She has been given technical training and joined fieldtrips to learn tea-growing models in Thai Nguyen province. Tea growing now earns her family approximately 7,000 USD a year. Huong said: “Safe tea is much more profitable. Our lives have improved considerably.”

Ham Yen district is helping tea growing communes protect the environment and produce safe tea. Vice Chairman of the district People’s Committee Nong Huy Tung said: “The district is focusing on intensive tea growing based on VietGap standards. We have built a brand for the tea products of Bat village, which is now becoming quite popular.”

The application of VietGap standards and technological advances is helping in Ham Yen achieve sustainable economic growth.