Vinamilk inaugurates EU certified organic farm

VINAMILK officially inaugurated the first EU certified organic dairy farm in Vietnam. With total investment of 200 billion VND, Vinamilk Dalat Organic Dairy Farm initially owns 500 organic cows and expanding. This is also the second dairy farm invested by Vinamilk in Lam Dong province (The first Vinamilk dairy farm was set up in 2012).

The event marks a grand leap of Vinamilk as a pioneer in the journey to offer Vietnamese consumers with world-class nutrition products. Distinguished guests including Mrs Truong Thi Mai - Member of Political Bureau, Secretariat of the Communist Party, Head of Central Mass Mobilization Commission; Mr Dinh La Thang - Member of Political Bureau, Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee; Mr. Phan Xuan Dung - Member of Central Committee of the Communist Party, National Assembly Chairman of Science Technology and Environment Committee; Mr. Nguyen Xuan Tien - Member of Central Committee of the Communist Party, Secretary of Lam Dong Party Committee; with the authority representatives of Bac Ninh, Ha Nam, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Phu Yen, Khanh Hoa, Ben Tre province; Heads of the Communist Party and local bodies, with Mrs Le Thi Bang Tam – Chairwoman, Mrs Mai Kieu Lien – Chief Executive Officer of Vinamilk.

Realizing the growing demand for premium organic products in the world, Vinamilk invested in developing Dalat Organic Dairy Farm in compliance with the rigorious EU organic standards. Vinamilk was honored to be endorsed with “The first EU certified organic dairy farm in Vietnam” by Control Union (Netherlands).

Mrs Mai Kieu Lien, Vinamilk’s Chief Executive Officer shared: “As Vietnam’s leading dairy manufacturer, we take pride in being the first company to produce quality organic milk with EU standard in Vietnam. The inauguration of our organic dairy farm will not only stabilize domestic milk supply, but also gain trust and affirm Vietnamese brands’ global competitiveness."

Mr Richard De Boer, Representatives of Control Union (Netherlands) showed appreciation for Vinamilk’s professionalism: “Three years ago, I was proud to congratulate Vinamilk’s farm in Nghe An on being the first farm to be certified for Global GAP. Today, it is with great pleasure to give Vinamilk the certificate for the First Organic Dairy Farm in Vietnam as it has proven to meet the EU organic standards. This once again strengthens the leading role of Vinamilk in the journey to improve the quality of life with world-class nutrition products, and to promote premium organic products in Vietnam.”

Vinamilk Dalat Organic Dairy Farm is the first EU certified organic farm with state of the art technology, in Vietnam

In such a challenging economy, Vinamilk’s first organic dairy farm inauguration is an remarkable event. Constantly striving to adopt the world's leading technologies and standards, Vinamilk continues to affirm its leading role in dairy manufacturing; increasing contributions to state budget, worthy of local and international consumers’ trust.

The inauguration of the first EU certified organic dairy farm in Vietnam is a milestone for Vinamilk’s commitment to ensure sustainable dairy processing. Since 2006, Vinamilk has started investing in dairy farming through the construction of its dairy farms network with a total initial capital of more than VND 500 billion and has now increased to VND 1670 billion (2015). To date, Vinamilk has a network of 10 farms across Vietnam, all large scale with all breeds imported from USA, Australia, and New Zealand.

Mr. Nguyen Van Yen, Vice Chairman of Lam Dong People Committee said: "It is a worthy endeavor of Vinamilk to establish the first organic dairy farm in Vietnam. To achieve this result, Vinamilk staffs have had a persistent working process and in close collaboration with experts from the international inspection organization Control Union Netherlands. Vinamilk organic dairy farm will produce high quality, high nutritional products that contribute to the effective implementation of the national nutrition strategy for 2011-2020 and 2030 vision approved by the Prime Minister in Decision No. 226/QD-TTg dated 22/02/2012. At the same time, people of Lam Dong and Vinamilk consumers will have access to premium organic milk products with comparable quality of international products. This is also the direction of future agriculture, developing through building a sustainable value chain towards environmental protection and the application of high technologies and techniques to deliver real natural products, the safest for consumers."

Vinamilk's organic dairy farm is an exemplary model for the development of organic food in Vietnam.

Also at the inauguration ceremony, Vinamilk granted free supply of milk in 3 months to the Children's Support Center of Lam Dong.

Currently with 500 cows and counting, Vinamilk's latest organic farm complies with  EU Organic Standards (EC 834/2007 and 889/2008)

About Vinamilk’s EU certified organic dairy farm

In 10/2016, Vinamilk Organic Dalat Dairy Farm, with an initial size of 500 organic dairy cows, was officially recognized as the first EU certified organic dairy farm in Vietnam by Control Union (Netherlands). Based on the basic principles and strict adherence to EU Organic Standards (EC 834/2007 and 889/2008), the first European organic dairy farm in Vietnam of Vinamilk was developed and operated as:

About the selection and breeding of dairy cows:

·        Vinamilk organic dairy farm does not use chemicals, synthetic pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, food additives as well as other stimulants.

·        Farms also do not use any GMOs. The organic milk from the farm is completely free from antibiotic residues and no growth hormone. Cows are also fed with 100% organic food.

·        In organic farm, the herds are reared freely, in open farm houses and fed with organic feed. With the design of Vinamilk Organic Dairy Farm, cows are totally free to opt for pasture, playground when weather conditions are favorable. However, when it is raining or hot, the cows can come back to the farm houses which are equipped with automatic cooling system.

·        In addition to adhering to the international standards, Vinamilk's organic dairy farm has been researching and selecting healthy and disease resistant plants and animals. Currently, the varieties and genetic resources of cattle for Vinamilk organic dairy farm are strictly selected  to have a strong immune system, can naturally adapt to the local conditions.

About the operation of organic farm:

·        Application of rotational farming - a prerequisite for effective use of land resources.

·        Farms also make the most of resources such as the use of organic cow manures and produce all organic feeds for the herds.

·        Farms use renewable energy, biogas, solar power, to reduce greenhouse effect for environmental protection. The system of waste on the farm is strictly treated, ensure freshness.

(*) About Vinamilk’s organic dairy cows

In June 2016, Vinamilk transfered the internationally organic certified dairy cows to Vietnam for organic dairy farm. The organic cows were transported to Vietnam by air after a rigorous selection process by Vinamilk's experienced experts, in accordance with international organic standards. Organic dairy cattle went through different assessment stages, from the selection of cow breeds, care methods, 100% organic sources to the living environment./.