EFD / Workshop on Enterprising For Development project – EFD 2, Participatory Quarantee System (PGS) and Traceability in the agricultural value chain

Took place in 9th  November 2019 afternoon, Bac Kan New Rural Construction Coordination Office, the Workshop introduced the Enterprising For Development project – EFD 2 and Participatory Quarantee System (PGS)* to the representatives of enterprises and agricultural cooperatives in Bac Kan province.

At the beginning, representatives of agricultural enterprises and cooperatives in Bac Kan shared difficulties and concerns in the process of agricultural product quality management and sharing transparency information to consumers and lessons learned, expectations for improved quality management at the business. Understanding completely the demand of the business when attending the workshop, Ms. Mai – representative of Vinh Ha Enterprise – an enterprise receiving support from the EFD project in implementing the Participatory Quarantee System ( PGS) – shared a practical story in the process of applying PGS in agricultural product quality management.

Continuing the workshop, PhD. Tran Thi Thanh Binh introduced the Participatory Quarantee System (PGS) in the agricultural value chain, providing sufficient information about PGS such as its establishment, benefits and challenges. Dr. Binh also answered the participants’ questions about the criterias in PGS applying at their units.

Information Guarantee System (IGS) is an effective technical supporting solution for PGS application in agricultural product quality management. IGS is time and manpower saver than manual methods, which provides higher accuracy and the ability to update information instantly. IGS is also a tool to connect value chain stakeholders and support media communication. In order to help business representatives and co- operative societies have a true information about this technology solution, Expert Nguyen Cong Tri has made honest and clear sharing about its operation mechanism and main feature in quality management and traceability.

Finally, representatives of enterprises and cooperative societies shared their desire to support the PGS application at their enterprises and cooperative societies. Leading to improve the transparency information, build trust with their consumers, increasing solidarity, joining forces and promoting internal resources of the community as well.

* PGS is a Participatory Quarantee System where organizations and people directly involved in the supply chain including Producers (Farmers), Distributors, Merchants, Consumers and Other parties are concerned. PGS is a system that can be flexibly applied to different local practical conditions (community, geography, politics, environment, …).