Prolonged drought threatens custard apple season 2025 - Lang Son Newspaper and Radio and Television

- Custard apple is one of the main crops, bringing high economic value and playing an important role in the agricultural economic development of Lang Son province. Due to prolonged drought, in recent months, the growth process belong to custard apple tree delayed, affecting pollination timing, leading to the risk of delayed harvest this year.

Currently, the whole province has about 4,200 hectares of custard apple trees, mainly concentrated in Chi Lang and Huu Lung districts. Of which, Chi Lang district has about 2,500 hectares, Huu Lung district has about 1,700 hectares. Custard apple trees are mainly grown on steep, rugged limestone mountain slopes, with an altitude from the foot of the mountain to near the top of the mountain of about 800 m. In recent months, due to prolonged drought, the growth of custard apple trees has been seriously affected, especially in high mountainous areas, due to lack of moisture and nutrients, the custard apple trees have not yet produced young leaves.

Custard apple trees in the highlands have not yet produced new buds due to drought (Photo taken in Mai Sao commune, Chi Lang district)

Present at the custard apple garden on the rocky mountain of Mrs. Truong Thi Ban's family, Than Muoi village, Mai Sao commune, Chi Lang district, we learned that at this time in previous years, Mrs. Ban's family had been preparing to pollinate the custard apples. However, this year, after many months without any heavy rain, most of the custard apple area on the rocky mountain slopes is still bare, not yet sprouting green, let alone blooming.

Ms. Ban shared: "This is a rare year that custard apple trees here have to endure such a long drought. With the prolonged drought, my family does not dare to apply any fertilizer because the fertilizer will not penetrate the soil and will harm the trees. Some custard apple trees on the high mountains have died due to drought. I hope it will rain soon so that the trees have enough moisture to grow and flower on time."

Leaders of Chi Lang District Agricultural Service Center check the growth of custard apple trees of households in Mai Sao commune.

According to statistics from the Chi Lang District Agricultural Service Center, currently only about 10% of the district's custard apple area (about 250 hectares) has access to irrigation water, the remaining area is suffering from drought. In particular, highland communes such as Thuong Cuong, Gia Loc, Van Linh, Bang Huu, Bang Mac, Hoa Binh, and Y Tich are most severely affected because they cannot take the initiative to irrigate the trees. On the other hand, due to drought, this year, people have not planted new trees, or if they have, it is only a small, insignificant area.

Similarly in Chi Lang district, due to drought affecting the growth process, many custard apple areas in Huu Lung district are also experiencing delays in leafing and flowering. In some places in the district, custard apple trees have even died due to not being able to withstand the drought. Currently, the total area of ​​custard apple trees that can be irrigated in the district is only about 170 hectares, equivalent to 10%.

Custard apple growers in the district are worried every day, hoping for rain soon so that the custard apple trees have enough moisture, nutrients, grow well and bloom. Mr. Nong Viet Dang, Dang village, Yen Son commune, worried: "Seeing custard apple trees on the high mountains suffering from drought and dying makes my family very sad. My family only depends on custard apple trees all year round. Now we only depend on rain. At this time, the family is focusing on watering the trees planted in low places."

About 90% of custard apple area in Huu Lung district is affected by drought (Photo taken in Yen Son commune, Huu Lung district)

Water shortages not only slow down plant growth but also directly affect pollination, a key factor determining the yield of the 2025 custard apple crop.

Mr. Le Ngoc Hoang, researcher at the Institute of Plant Protection under the Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Sciences, commented: "The current drought is causing very clear impacts on the development of custard apple trees. Trees grow slowly, and young branches have difficulty developing. The pollination process of custard apple flowers is also affected by lack of water, leading to a significant decrease in the fruit set rate. If this situation continues, the risk of delaying the harvest season is entirely possible."

In lower areas, people have tried to take advantage of water sources from ditches, rivers and streams to irrigate custard apple trees. However, according to our observations, the custard apple trees in this area have young leaves but the color of the leaves is much lighter than in previous years. Mr. Le Ngoc Hoang added: "This is a sign that the trees are weakening due to lack of water in the initial development stage."

Researchers from the Plant Protection Institute, Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Sciences (far right) and staff from the Chi Lang District Agricultural Service Center inspect and assess the drought and pests on custard apple trees in Chi Lang District.

Currently, in the context of the ongoing drought, the Agricultural Service Center of Chi Lang and Huu Lung districts is actively propagating and advising farmers to closely monitor weather developments to respond promptly; prioritize watering areas with favorable water resources (low-lying areas, near rivers, streams, ponds) and at the same time use water-saving irrigation measures. For custard apple gardens that have grown leaves, farmers need to proactively take care, fertilize in a balanced manner and prevent pests and diseases in a timely manner so that the trees grow healthily and increase their resistance to drought...

Mr. Hoang Ngoc Long, Deputy Director of the Chi Lang District Agricultural Service Center, said: Custard apple trees are a type of tree with good vitality. When it rains again and the soil has enough moisture, the trees will quickly recover and grow normally. Along with the above measures, farmers currently need to focus on closely monitoring the situation of pests and diseases, especially pests that thrive in drought conditions, and have effective prevention measures. When it rains again, it is necessary to have a plan to restore the custard apple garden, fertilize and care for the trees to quickly recover and grow. For areas that have not been newly planted, it is necessary to consider the time to sow when there is enough water and favorable weather conditions...

Although the drought situation is complicated, with the experience and diligence of custard apple growers in Chi Lang and Huu Lung, along with close support from professional agencies, it is hoped that many custard apple areas will continue to grow and develop stably, ensuring stable productivity and output in the 2025 crop year.

Custard apple is currently the main crop, providing a stable source of income for about 3,500 households in Chi Lang district. By 2024, the total custard apple area in the district will reach about 2,500 hectares, with an annual output of over 20,000 tons of fruit. Huu Lung district has about 1,500 hectares of custard apple for harvest, with an annual output of 15,000 tons of fruit.

Source: https://baolangson.vn/chi-lang-han-han-keo-dai-de-doa-tien-do-mua-vu-5044747.html