News
Antesco Expands Production and Consumption Linkages for Mangoes and Edamame (Green Soybeans)
Oct
In 2024, An Giang Fruit-Vegetables and Foodstuff Joint Stock Company (Antesco) signed agreements to purchase approximately 3,070 hectares worth of edamame, Keo mangoes and baby corn from farmers across the province, resulting in a total output exceeding 30,000 tons. In particular, the company established a linkage for 60 hectares of GlobalGAP-certified Keo mangoes with farmers in Khanh An commune (An Phu District), yielding 12,000 tons.
Mr. Nguyen An Nhan, Director of the Crop Procurement Division at Antesco, stated: “In 2024, the Company signed agreements with local authorities to develop a raw material zone covering 8,400 hectares of baby corn, 600 hectares of edamame, and 500 hectares of mangoes, under comprehensive contracts that includes the provision of seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, technical support, and guaranteed output purchase. We also implemented an area-based procurement model, through which we provide guidance on fertilizer and pesticide usage, and commit to purchasing the entire output at market prices. As of September 2024, the cultivated area reached 3,270 hectares (including 1,700 hectares of baby corn, 450 hectares of edamame, and 1,120 hectares of Keo Mangoes); with a total procurement volume of 35,097 tons, of which 28,000 tons of Keo mangoes, all fully purchased by the company.”
Mr. Nguyen Si Tien, Deputy Director of the Phu Thinh An Khanh Agricultural Service Cooperative (An Phu District), shared: “Over the years, the cooperative has collaborated with Antesco to develop Keo mango sourcing zones for processing, promoting production and consumption linkages along the value chain-particularly for exports to highly competitive markets, facilitated by procurement contracts signed in An Phu District. In 2024, the cooperative planned to purchase mangoes from 600 hectares across multiple communes, with an estimated output of 7,500 tons. According to the 2025 plan, the company aims to expand mango cultivation by 2,120 hectares, targeting a total of 48,000 tons. In order for the company to achieve this target and assure farmers’ benefits, we seek support from the agricultural sector and local authorities to assist farmers in joining the linkage model. The cooperative will proactively strengthen its engagement with farmers to foster confidence in production activities, ensuring both high mango yields and stable, favorable prices.
Mr. Huynh Thanh Minh, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director of the Long Binh Agricultural Cooperative, expressed: “We hope that Antesco will provide more output contracts, increase export volumes, thereby enhancing stable income for local farmers in the upcoming future. Farmers prefer to sell mangoes directly from the farm for immediate payment, so we request the company to continue supporting on-site purchases and assist farmers in meeting production standards.” According to Mr. Nguyen Be Du, a farmer from Quoc Thai Commune (An Phu District): “For the past five years, my family has cultivated five công (equivalent to approximately 0.5 hectares) of Keo mangoes under a contract farming arrangement with Antesco, selling two harvests per year. This partnership has ensured stable market access, giving us peace of mind and reducing risk. In the upcoming season, I plan to expand the cultivation area by another five công of Keo mangoes.”
According to Antesco, in 2025, the company will continue to expand its contracted cultivation areas in coordination with localities and farmers, targeting the purchase of 7,870 hectares of baby corn, edamame and Keo mangoes, with an estimated output of approximately 64,700 tons. Additionally, the company seeks to develop linkage-based consumption and cultivation areas for other export-targeted crops such as durian, sweet corn, green-peel pomelo, seedless mango, pineapple, etc. In An Phu District, Antesco plans to expand its linked Keo mango cultivation area by 150 hectares, bringing the total of 400 hectares with an expected yield of 10,000 tons. The company also aims to expand its edamame cultivation from an initial 20 hectares to 100 hectares, targeting an output of 1,100 tons in the near future.
Mr. Nguyen Huy Cuong, Deputy General Director of Antesco, emphasized: “The company is committed to supporting farmers by providing seeds, financial support, technical assistance, fertilizers and pesticides. We allow deferred payments until harvest and offer 100% product purchase at pre-agreed contract prices, enabling farmers to cultivate with confidence.” To maintain and further develop a stable, sustainable, and mutually beneficial partnership, Antesco encourages farmers in cultivation areas to commit to production volumes, pesticide residue standards, and adherence to cultivation protocols. The company also seeks stronger support and attention from government agencies, local authorities, and especially from the farmers themselves. On the part of local authorities, planning is needed for designated cultivation areas producing raw agricultural materials for Antesco’s guaranteed purchase programs. At the same time, support should be given to protect these zones from unfair competition. Additionally, water management and irrigation should be prioritized to prevent flooding and drought. Continued collaboration with the enterprise is essential to building stable sourcing regions, helping the company maintain production quality and output, and further expand into international markets.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Phuong, Vice Chairwoman of the People’s Committee of An Phu District, shared: “Over the past years, the People’s Committee of An Phu District has issued various plans and programs to strengthen linkages between agricultural production and consumption for local farmers. At the same time, efforts have been made to invite and sign cooperation agreements on fruit and vegetable production and consumption with various enterprises, including Antesco. The company has established partnerships with most of the designated cultivation areas for product consumption, ensuring stable and sustainable market access. However, in terms of vegetables, the linked area remains modest-just around 150 hectares out of a total 3,639 hectares of vegetable farmland. An Phu authorities will continue to create favorable conditions and implement support policies for cooperatives, farmers and enterprises in building stable sourcing areas, developing sustainable linkages, and accelerating the issuance of planting area codes for the remaining mango cultivation areas to boost export volumes.
Source: HANH CHAU
