The project "Development of a production, processing, and business model for a range of food products from the star apple" in Trinh Phu Commune, Ke Sach District, Soc Trang Province, is part of the "Diversification of Livelihoods, Development of Poverty Reduction Models" project - a component of the National Target Program for Sustainable Poverty Reduction for the period 2021-2025, led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kha Chan Tuyen (Vice Dean of the Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Food Technology, Nong Lam University, Ho Chi Minh City). The project is expected to span three years from 2023 to 2025. Its objectives include supporting farmers in enhancing knowledge of the star apple tree's care, harvesting, preservation, and transportation processes; providing consultancy and assistance in developing and commercializing new products derived from the star apple tree and its fruits; and establishing models for activities aimed at eradicating hunger and reducing poverty.
To achieve the aforementioned objectives, the project team has conducted surveys and discussions with farmers from the Trinh Phu Cooperative in Trinh Phu Commune, Ke Sach District, Soc Trăng Province, in order to select 30 households to participate in the project. Additionally, these surveys have helped the project team understand the actual situation and needs of the local residents, facilitating the development of models closely aligned with reality.In addition to surveying the farmers, the project team has also held meetings with representatives from the People's Committee of Ke Sach District, Trinh Phu Commune, and the Trinh Phu Cooperative. This has provided initial insights into the overall production, current situation, and development direction of the Simarouba tree in Ke Sach District, Soc Trang Province.
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Continuing the events within the project, the Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Food Technology, Nong Lam University, Ho Chi Minh City, has held additional working sessions with representatives from the People's Committee of Ke Sach District, Trinh Phu Commune, Trinh Phu Cooperative, and Soc Trang Province to implement activities under the project. Attendees at these working sessions included representatives from the relevant parties:
- Assoc Prof. Dr. Kha Chan Tuyen (Vice Dean,Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Food Technology, Project Leader)
- Mr Le Hoang Phong (Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of. Ke Sach District)
- Mr Bui Van Khai (Head of the Office of the People's Council and People's Committee of Kế Sách District)
- Mr Vu Ba Quan (Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Ke Sach District)
- Mr Nguyen Hoang Nhu (Head of the Agricultural Promotion Station)
- Mr Tran Van Toan (Head of the Crop Cultivation and Plant Protection Station)
- Mr Trinh Phuc Thanh (Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Trinh Phu Commune)
- Mr Ho Van Hoi (Director of Trinh Phu Cooperative)
- Faculty members from the Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Food Technology and members of Trinh Phu Cooperative.
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During the working session, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kha Chan Tuyen, representing the project team, presented the objectives, activities, and expected results of the project in 2023. Mr. Le Hoang Phong provided comments on the direction for products derived from the star apple tree. Additionally, the project team introduced food product prototypes processed from star apple fruit, including by-products. Representatives from the Cooperative, Commune, and District reviewed the presentation and provided suggestions to further enhance the products.
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In addition to the meetings with the representatives of the District, Commune, and Cooperative, the project team has also conducted training sessions on establishing procedures for caring, harvesting, preserving, and transporting star apple fruits for local households. Training sessions have covered knowledge on processing star apple fruits and the conditions for their preservation. Information on traditional food product processing, food safety and hygiene, and traceability of products from the star appletree has been disseminated to impoverished households, near-poor households, and newly lifted-out-of-poverty households in the Trinh Phu Commune, Ke Sach District, Soc Trang Province.
Ms. Phạm Lệ Lam, Chairwoman of the Farmers' Association of Soc Trang Province, visited Trinh Phu Cooperative to contribute and engage in discussions with the cooperative and the project team regarding the anticipated products of the project. This demonstrates the support of the Farmers' Association of Sóc Trăng Province and the creation of favorable conditions for the team to expedite the project's progress.
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The project's products have been showcased at the trade promotion fair for OCOP (One Commune, One Product) and regional specialties organized by Soc Trang Province in the city of Soc Trang. This event serves as an initial opportunity to introduce potential products derived from the star apple tree to the domestic market, marking a significant step forward in the process of commercializing the anticipated project products.
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The information about the project has also been published on the Economic Information page of Soc Trang province, Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Soc Trang province, and the Fast News page on the environment.
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