The 60,000 salad green seedlings grown in Da Lat by the famous Japanese vegetable company Lacue, in collaboration with the Vietnamese vegetable company An Phu Da Lat, are all in good condition. The greens will be exported directly to European and Asian countries.
According to Hironori Tsuchiya, director of HT Capital in Vietnam, the greens will be harvested in early April. Lacue will continue to grow American salad greens in Da Lat.
* Why did HT Capital bring this project to Vietnam?
Vietnam is an agricultural country. However, the agriculture sector still lacks sustainable development and high quality production. Thus, we wanted to bring agricultural development projects to Vietnam. The country should welcome not only well-known Japanese electronic and automobile brands, but also agricultural brands.
* Will the product have to compete with other imported brands?
Unlike many foreign companies that export their vegetables to Vietnam, our new method is to grow the seed and harvest the vegetables in the country. Moreover, the weather in Da Lat allows us to offer vegetables all year around.
* How is your success rate?
We aim to provide vegetables not only to the Vietnamese and Japanese market but also to other countries within the Asian region. This will help Vietnamese farmers earn a higher annual income as well as enhance the position and reputation of Da Lat, in particular, and the country, in general, in the eyes of others worldwide.
Besides American salad greens, we also plan to grow 4 – 5 other kinds of Japanese vegetables in Da Lat. We hope to create more cooperation opportunities for both Vietnamese and Japanese businesses through this project that is currently attracting the attention of Japanese authorities, including those in the government and the media.
After bringing new technology and experts to Vietnam, we will send young Vietnamese farmers to the Karakumi village in Japan so they can learn about Japanese working methods, culture, and mindset.
In late January 2014, a representative of Japan’s vegetable company Lacue, in collaboration with the vegetable producing company An Phu Da Lat, chose the first plot of land located in Lam Dong’s Da Nghit village to grow American salad green seedlings. Before, this plot was used to grow onions, spinach, and potatoes. ‘Miraculous village’ is the nickname of Karakumi village in Japan, which was transformed from the poorest to the richest village in Japan after 20 years thanks to high-technology agriculture. With 1,735 hectares of agricultural land, Japan’s ‘miraculous village’ earns an annual income of US$150 million by sowing only American salad greens. Each household makes an average of $250,000 a year despite working for only four months out of the year. |