The World Bank will assist Nam Roi grapefruit growers in the Mekong Delta Province of Vinh Long with hundreds of thousands of dollars, as part of a project designed to widen the fruit growing area in accordance with Global Gap standards.
Accordingly, the My Hoa Nam Roi Grapefruit Cooperative in Binh Minh District will receive US$300,000, with each of household getting US$2,000 to participate in the project.
The WB will also help My Hoa Cooperative with bureaucratic expenses they incur as they follow the procedures required to renew the Global Gap certificate for its Nam Roi grapefruits.
The world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company, SGS Vietnam, officially granted a certificate of compliance with the Global Gap Standard to Nam Roi Grapefruit of My Hoa Cooperative in September 2008.
The event brought great joy to 26 households in the cooperative since the certificate was considered as a passport for Nam Roi grapefruits to enter the world market, especially the US and Europe.
However, Tran Van Sang, chairman of the cooperative said that the Global Gap certificate imposed a time-limit of one year. After that duration, the certificate has to be renewed.
Province authorities have promised to help the cooperative pay for renewal fees, pledging to subsidize US$4,000 of the US$7,700 necessary to complete the procedures. However, farmers do not know how to fund the difference.
