Developing safe food supply chains is an inevitable trend that not only mitigates the issue of “bumper crops, low prices” but also benefits three key groups: Consumers, who are assured of food safety and health; producers, who increase product value and sales; and regulators, who can more easily monitor quality and trace product origins. Several supply chains have proven effective, generating high profits for participating stakeholders.

However, the number of safe food supply chains remains small and does not fully utilize the local potential and advantages. As of now, Đện Biên province has only 35 certified supply chains for vegetables, fruits, dried meat, rice, tea, and other products. However, most of these chains operate at low efficiency. For example, the supply chain for khẩu xén and chí chọp cakes, managed by Hoa Ban Trắng Cooperative in Mường Lay town, produces around 35 tons of cakes annually. Yet, sales at the certified supply store amount to only 1-2 tons per year.

Many certified safe food supply chains operate minimally or have shut down. Currently, 15 out of 35 chains in the province have reported ceasing operations. A notable case is the supply chain for Điện Biên tám rice (Bắc thơm No.7 variety) run by Hoàng Văn Yêu’s family in Residential Group 5, Thanh An commune, Điện Biên district. According to Yêu, the chain was certified in August 2017, linking 15 rice-farming households in Thanh An and Thanh Xương communes, Điện Biên district, and collaborating with Safe Green Food Co., Ltd. in Điện Biên Phủ city for product distribution. However, due to non-compliance with production conditions and closed-market regulations among participating households, the chain was discontinued in 2023.

Similarly, the supply chain for safe wax gourd, taro, and peanuts, operated by CCO Điện Biên Agricultural Cooperative, was certified in 2019 but ceased operations in 2023. The cooperative initially partnered with 18 households growing wax gourd in Tìa Dình commune, 20 households growing taro in Phì Nhừ commune, and 26 households growing peanuts in Na Son commune, Điện Biên Đông district. However, during operation, many households failed to meet product requirements. The cultivation and harvesting of these crops did not adhere to technical standards, and contract violations occurred due to price differences between the agreed-upon purchase price and the market price.

According to the Rural Development and Cooperative Economy Sub-department (under the provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment), the primary reasons for these disruptions are the small scale of supply chains and their dependence on seasonal cycles, which results in unstable production volumes. Meanwhile, the market demands a steady supply of high-quality products. Additionally, production, processing, and storage methods remain largely traditional and habit-based, making it difficult to comply with technical standards.

A key challenge is that participation in a supply chain requires strict adherence to protocols from production and processing to distribution. If any “link” in the chain breaks, the entire system collapses. Furthermore, weak connections between suppliers, buyers, and processors contribute to contract violations. Compared to traditional production, supply chain-based production requires higher investment costs (for packaging, labeling, etc.), while product prices often do not meet farmers’ expectations. As a result, there is little motivation for farmers and businesses to engage in safe food supply chains.

Nguyễn Thị Thắm, a vegetable farmer in Noong Luống commune, Điện Biên district, shared: “The production process for vegetables and fruits in a certified supply chain is very strict, from selecting soil and water sources to pest control methods, especially the use of fertilizers and pesticides. Additionally, weather-related risks often reduce production volumes, making it difficult to meet supply commitments. If the processing and packaging steps are not followed precisely, product quality may be affected. Since the price difference between traditional and certified produce is minimal, most farmers prefer conventional farming methods.”

To develop safe food supply chains, farmers need to transition to large-scale production, diversify products, and expand markets. Additionally, there must be increased training and awareness programs on food safety for organizations, individuals, and households involved in production and business. Local governments should plan for concentrated safe farming zones, invest in suitable infrastructure, and innovate production models to strengthen links between businesses, producers, cooperatives, and farmers. From a regulatory perspective, authorities must enhance their guiding role, introduce policies to encourage participation in supply chains, and enforce penalties for contract violations.