Taking the risk of "raising a green dragon to produce red fruit", Muong Dong farmers in Hoa Binh suddenly became rich.

Clip: Mr. Bui Van Binh, Dong Bac Dragon Fruit Cooperative, Dong Nang hamlet, Dong Bac commune, Kim Boi district shares experience in taking care of dragon fruit trees.

We had the opportunity to visit the Northeast Dragon Fruit Cooperative in Dong Nang hamlet, Dong Bac commune, Kim Boi district. Currently, the Cooperative has 15 members participating in growing dragon fruit on an area of ​​4.5 hectares following VietGAP standards.

Dragon fruit garden is as beautiful as a movie

Mr. Bui Van Binh (born in 1962), Head of the Northeast Dragon Fruit Cooperative, said that he first planted dragon fruit trees in Dong Bac commune 10 years ago. Currently, his family is planting 500 dragon fruit trees with a total area of ​​0.45 hectares.

Currently, Mr. Binh's family is planting 500 dragon fruit trees with a total area of ​​0.45 hectares. Photo: Pham Hoai.

Previously, in Dong Nang hamlet there were still many trees so there was regular water, so his family grew rice once a year. After many trees were cut down, the land became barren and could not grow rice, so he switched to growing corn and sugarcane, but the results were not high.

In 2004, Mr. Binh went to Lac Thuy district to visit and learn about dragon fruit growing techniques there, then bought seeds to plant. After many years, seeing the economic efficiency that dragon fruit trees bring, many households in the village have switched to growing dragon fruit trees.

According to Mr. Binh, dragon fruit can be grown on many different types of soil, from arid soil, sandy soil, gray, infertile soil, alum soil to alluvial soil, red basalt soil, loam soil, and clay loam.

Before planting dragon fruit trees, concrete pillars must be prepared. The concrete pillars are buried at a distance of about 3m x 3m. Dragon fruit trees will be planted in November-December. After about 18 months, the dragon fruit tree will produce fruit. By the third year, the tree will begin to produce a stable harvest.

According to Mr. Binh, dragon fruit trees are planted in November and December. After about 18 months, the tree will bear fruit; by the third year, the tree will begin to produce a stable harvest. Photo: Pham Hoai.

Sharing about dragon fruit tree care techniques, Mr. Binh said that at the end of the harvest season from December to January of the following year, when the dragon fruit flowers are no longer blooming, the buds will begin to grow. When the tree sprouts, each tree will only have about 15-20 buds on a pillar top. During this time, it is necessary to weed and fertilize the tree with manure, chicken manure and NPK.

In April, when the tree begins to bud, prune the buds so that each branch has only 1-2 buds. Each tree has about 25-30 buds. After about 1 month, the buds will bloom. After 1 month, the dragon fruit will ripen and begin to be harvested.

Dragon fruit trees are harvested from June to December. If well cared for, dragon fruit trees will yield two harvests per month. After each harvest, it is necessary to supplement the tree with 2-3 ounces of NPK to help the tree recover and produce new buds and flowers.

Growing green dragon trees to produce red fruit and count money is better than growing corn or cassava

According to Mr. Binh, dragon fruit trees are often affected by branch rot, so when this phenomenon occurs, they must be cut off immediately. The most important thing in growing dragon fruit according to VietGAP is that when using fertilizers and pesticides, it is necessary to ensure the quarantine period according to regulations before harvesting from 10 to 15 days.

Each year, with 500 dragon fruit trees, Mr. Binh's family harvests 10 tons of fruit. With the price that traders buy at about 20,000 VND/kg, after deducting expenses, his family earns about 120-150 million VND. Photo: Pham Hoai.

"Compared to other crops, dragon fruit is easy to sell. If this crop does not sell well, the next crop will sell for a high price. Dragon fruit weighing over 400 grams will be purchased by traders in Hai Duong and Hanoi at 20,000 VND/kg. Dragon fruit has a long harvest period so it is easy to sell," said Mr. Binh.

It is known that each year, with 500 dragon fruit trees, Mr. Binh's family harvests 10 tons of fruit. With the purchase price of about 20,000 VND/kg, after deducting expenses, Mr. Binh's family earns about 120-150 million VND.

As a member of the Cooperative, Mr. Bui Van Tinh’s family in Dong Nang hamlet, Dong Bac commune currently grows 700 dragon fruit trees on an area of ​​0.5 hectares. Currently, dragon fruit trees are helping his family have a stable income.

Mr. Tinh shared: "In order for dragon fruit trees to grow well, every year, my family weeds and fertilizes them regularly 4 times a year. The fertilizer used is manure or chicken manure combined with organic fertilizer. Currently, my family uses chicken manure because it helps loosen the soil, making the trees healthier.

According to the cycle, dragon fruit trees produce fruit from June to December every year. Each month, you can harvest 2 crops if you take good care of them. Every year, my family earns about 200 million VND from selling dragon fruit. Compared to other crops, dragon fruit trees bring high economic efficiency and provide a more stable income."

In addition to Mr. Binh and Mr. Tinh's households, many households in Dong Bac commune have switched to growing dragon fruit. Initially, dragon fruit has brought economic efficiency to these households.

Compared to other crops, dragon fruit brings high economic efficiency and more stable income for people in Dong Bac commune, Kim Boi district. Photo: Pham Hoai.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Minh Anh, Deputy Head of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Kim Boi district (Hoa Binh province) said that the entire Kim Boi district currently has nearly 30 hectares of dragon fruit trees, of which Dong Bac commune has 10 hectares.

Dragon fruit is a crop that the district is oriented to develop and expand, because dragon fruit not only brings high economic efficiency to the people but this crop is also suitable for local climatic conditions.

However, the initial investment cost is still quite high, so most people are still hesitant. To develop and expand the dragon fruit growing area, the district will continue to guide small-scale producers to join together to establish cooperatives, produce according to the value chain; support loans, certify good agricultural production processes VietGAP, GlobalGAP; train on dragon fruit growing and care techniques... At the same time, support promotion and connection for product consumption through fairs organized by the district and province.

Source: https://danviet.vn/danh-lieu-nuoi-con-rong-xanh-ra-qua-do-nong-dan-muong-dong-o-hoa-binh-bat-ngo-giau-han-len-20240823132505129.htm