Red-fleshed dragon fruit tree for high efficiency

Red-fleshed dragon fruit has a traceability stamp and product packaging that attracts consumers.

Leading performance

Mr. Hoang Van Toan's family in Ho Giai village has been growing lychee for many years but it has not brought economic efficiency. At the end of 2019, he destroyed the entire lychee garden to grow red-fleshed dragon fruit. After more than 1 year of planting, 6 sao of dragon fruit have begun to yield harvest. In the first year of harvest, the dragon fruit yield was not much but the effect was clear. "Although affected by the Covid-19 epidemic, the selling price decreased but the consumption was stable. With 7 batches of fruit, each batch yielding 3-5 tons, I earned a profit of more than 30 million VND. From the following years, when the fruit yield increases, my family will have a higher and more stable source of income," said Mr. Toan.

Mr. Nguyen Van Xuyen, also from Ho Giai village, is one of the first households to bring dragon fruit to grow and develop on Chi Linh forest land. He affirmed: "Red-fleshed dragon fruit is much more effective than other local fruit trees". Before growing this tree, Mr. Xuyen used to grow lychee, longan, apple... but the income was not high, and the price was unstable. After learning about many different types of crops, he realized that red-fleshed dragon fruit has many advantages such as fast fruiting, harvesting many crops in a year, and stable productivity. Since 2009, he has switched to growing dragon fruit, and has now expanded to 1 hectare of red-fleshed dragon fruit. Each year, he harvests 10-12 crops of dragon fruit, with a yield of about 20 tons/ha. The selling price of dragon fruit is stable at 15,000-17,000 VND/kg, his family earns a profit of 200 million VND/year.

After 10 years of development, red-fleshed dragon fruit has become the main crop of the locality and brought high income to the people. Currently, the whole commune has 22 hectares of dragon fruit, accounting for 10% of the total fruit tree area. In the coming time, the locality will continue to encourage farmers to change the crop structure, double the area of ​​red-fleshed dragon fruit, and form a specialized area associated with experiential tourism.

Dragon fruit in Hoang Hoa Tham commune is grown organically, so the fruit is more delicious and sweeter than in other growing areas.

OCOP products

Unlike other regions, Hoang Hoa Tham dragon fruit is grown and cared for organically. Mr. Nguyen Van Xuyen said: "The fertilizer used is organic fertilizer soaked from fermented fish and soybeans. This type of fertilizer is rich in nutrients and good for plants." Plants that are provided with adequate nutrients will produce larger, tastier, and sweeter fruit than those using conventional fertilizers.

Red-fleshed dragon fruit is a nutritious fruit and is popular in the market. The outstanding features of this tree are that it is easy to grow, has few pests and diseases and is suitable for local soil and climate conditions. To improve the quality of the fruit, Hoang Hoa Tham commune has established a cooperative group for the production and consumption of safe dragon fruit with 35 members. The members support each other in both production and consumption. The commune's Farmers' Association and the members of the group agree on an organic care process to ensure consistent fruit quality, meeting market requirements.

Mr. Phung Gia Vuong, Chairman of the Farmers' Association of Hoang Hoa Tham Commune, said that the commune's dragon fruit products have been labeled with traceability labels and product packaging. In addition to the provincial market, the commune's dragon fruit is available in many clean fruit stores in the Northern region and is highly appreciated by consumers for its rich sweetness and delicious quality. Currently, the product has completed its profile and is waiting to be recognized as a 3-star OCOP product this year.

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