Although new to Uong Bi city, Quang Ninh province, the red-fleshed dragon fruit is becoming popular and has brought high economic value to growers, a report by Vietnam Economic News reveals.
Becoming rich from red-fleshed dragon fruit
Red-fleshed dragon fruit has been seen in Uong Bi city since 2006 thanks to some farmers who brought the fruit from the south. The plant was initially grown on 1,100 columns in about one hectare.
According to To Van Toa, a red flesh dragon fruit grower, every year he harvests from 20-25 tonnes per ha. With prices ranging from 30,000-40,000 VND(1.5- 2USD) per kg, he can earn 600-800 million VND (30,000- 40,000USD) per ha. There was time when prices went up so high that he can earn up to one billion VND (50,000 USD) per ha.
“Red- fleshed dragon fruit is easy to plant and care for. It is suitable for various types of soil and capable of adapting to climate changes. If planted correctly, the plant can yield fruit after 8-10 months. But growers must master caring techniques and carefully select seedlings, fertilisers, and water to ensure the quality,” he said.
To date, red-fleshed dragon fruit plantations in Uong Bi has reached approximately 38ha, concentrated in communes such as Quang Trung, Phuong Dong, Bac Son, Thuong Yen Cong, and Vang Danh. Many farmer families have now escaped from poverty and gradually become rich thanks to growing the plant.
Red- fleshed dragon fruit brand building
Developing red- fleshed dragon fruit in Uong Bi is prioritised by local and provincial authorities. Quang Ninh provincial People’s Committee already issued Decision 3460 dated December 26, 2012 to implement the “Construction and Development of certification for Uong Bi Dragon Fruit” project.
Then, Quang Ninh province’s Department of Science and Technology signed a contract with Viet Intellectual Property Asset Progression Company Limited to implement the project with a total budget of more than 2 billion VND (100,000 USD) .
Uong Bi City ’s authorities planned to develop red-fleshed dragon fruit towards commodity production in communes such as Quang Trung, Phuong Dong, Bac Son, Thuong Yen Cong, and Vang Danh through deployment of the “Red Flesh Dragon Fruit Development” project for the 2012-2014 period.
According to the project, the city recorded an increase of four hectares of red flesh dragon fruit in 2012, and expected an increase of 10-15 hectares during the 2013-2014 period.
In September 2013, Uong Bi Dragon Fruit Production and Trading Association was established with more than 30 members who were later provided with farming technique training programs coordinated by Quang Ninh province’s Department of Science and Technology and Viet Intellectual Property Asset Progression Company Limited.
Hopefully, efforts in building a certification mark for red- fleshed dragon fruit grown in Uong Bi will achieve positive results, and with a certified agricultural brand, local dragon fruit farmers can earn more money from selling the fruit and will soon shape up high quality dragon fruit areas in Quang Ninh.-VNA
Becoming rich from red-fleshed dragon fruit
Red-fleshed dragon fruit has been seen in Uong Bi city since 2006 thanks to some farmers who brought the fruit from the south. The plant was initially grown on 1,100 columns in about one hectare.
According to To Van Toa, a red flesh dragon fruit grower, every year he harvests from 20-25 tonnes per ha. With prices ranging from 30,000-40,000 VND(1.5- 2USD) per kg, he can earn 600-800 million VND (30,000- 40,000USD) per ha. There was time when prices went up so high that he can earn up to one billion VND (50,000 USD) per ha.
“Red- fleshed dragon fruit is easy to plant and care for. It is suitable for various types of soil and capable of adapting to climate changes. If planted correctly, the plant can yield fruit after 8-10 months. But growers must master caring techniques and carefully select seedlings, fertilisers, and water to ensure the quality,” he said.
To date, red-fleshed dragon fruit plantations in Uong Bi has reached approximately 38ha, concentrated in communes such as Quang Trung, Phuong Dong, Bac Son, Thuong Yen Cong, and Vang Danh. Many farmer families have now escaped from poverty and gradually become rich thanks to growing the plant.
Red- fleshed dragon fruit brand building
Developing red- fleshed dragon fruit in Uong Bi is prioritised by local and provincial authorities. Quang Ninh provincial People’s Committee already issued Decision 3460 dated December 26, 2012 to implement the “Construction and Development of certification for Uong Bi Dragon Fruit” project.
Then, Quang Ninh province’s Department of Science and Technology signed a contract with Viet Intellectual Property Asset Progression Company Limited to implement the project with a total budget of more than 2 billion VND (100,000 USD) .
Uong Bi City ’s authorities planned to develop red-fleshed dragon fruit towards commodity production in communes such as Quang Trung, Phuong Dong, Bac Son, Thuong Yen Cong, and Vang Danh through deployment of the “Red Flesh Dragon Fruit Development” project for the 2012-2014 period.
According to the project, the city recorded an increase of four hectares of red flesh dragon fruit in 2012, and expected an increase of 10-15 hectares during the 2013-2014 period.
In September 2013, Uong Bi Dragon Fruit Production and Trading Association was established with more than 30 members who were later provided with farming technique training programs coordinated by Quang Ninh province’s Department of Science and Technology and Viet Intellectual Property Asset Progression Company Limited.
Hopefully, efforts in building a certification mark for red- fleshed dragon fruit grown in Uong Bi will achieve positive results, and with a certified agricultural brand, local dragon fruit farmers can earn more money from selling the fruit and will soon shape up high quality dragon fruit areas in Quang Ninh.-VNA
