Phu Long is a mountainous commune of Nho Quan district (Ninh Binh) with rugged terrain, many valleys, rocky mountains, and dense forests. For many years, this place has been considered the largest fruit-growing capital of Ninh Binh province, bringing stable income to local people.

In the past, Phu Long commune people mainly grew corn and cassava, which were not very effective and the soil was constantly eroded. In 2010, some households experimented with planting custard apple trees to prevent soil erosion and green the hills. After 3-4 years, the custard apple trees produced a lot of fruit and were suitable for the local soil and climate.

Since then, the custard apple growing area has been increasingly expanded here, with families growing from 1ha to 6-7ha.

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Each hectare of custard apple trees brings in an annual income of 250-300 million VND. Photo: Tran Nghi

Ms. Vu Thi Huong (residing in Hamlet 9, Phu Long Commune) said that her family has about 1 hectare of custard apples, harvesting 2 crops/year, achieving a yield of more than 10 tons of fruit. With an average selling price of 30,000 to 40,000 VND/kg, her family earns more than 300 million VND; after deducting expenses, the profit is about 250 million VND.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Ha (residing in Phu Long commune) said that growing custard apples is mainly on barren rocky soil, so it is very hard. Initially, households let the trees bear fruit naturally, only harvesting one crop per year, and the fruit yield was not high. Since applying science and technology to cultivation, such as pollination, pruning, etc., the trees bear more fruit, the fruit is bigger, and the income is also 5-6 times higher than before.

The custard apple tree bears fruit in the third year and begins to harvest in the fourth year. On some days, when the custard apple tree is fully ripe, 1 hectare can yield 600-700kg of fruit.

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Custard apple trees are grown in rugged, rocky land but produce high yields. Photo: Tran Nghi

“To produce large, even fruit, growers need to take careful care of the custard apple tree through many steps such as cutting, pruning, shaping the canopy, fertilizing the tree so that it has enough nutrients to grow, pollinate when it flowers... After harvesting two crops of fruit, all branches need to be cut to let the tree hibernate in preparation for the new crop,” Ms. Ha shared.

Mr. Nguyen Van Thuat, Director of Phu Long Cooperative for Off-Season Custard Apple Production and Safe Fruit Consumption (Phu Long Commune, Nho Quan District) informed that the commune has about 200 hectares of custard apples. Of which, 45 households participate in the Cooperative with an area of ​​150 hectares, each hectare yields 12-15 tons of fruit per year.

According to Mr. Thuat, the main custard apple harvest in Phu Long is from the end of June to the end of July of the lunar calendar. Off-season custard apples are harvested from the end of August to the end of November of the lunar calendar.

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In Phu Long commune, there are more than 200 hectares of custard apples. Photo: Tran Nghi

Mr. Bui Van The, Head of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Nho Quan district, said that the custard apple growing area in Phu Long is increasingly expanding.

Custard apples in Phu Long are grown organically, so the main cost of care is labor. After deducting all expenses, 1 hectare of custard apples brings in 200-250 million VND in profit. Custard apples are not only consumed in the provinces, but traders in Thanh Hoa, Nam Dinh, Hanoi... also come to the garden to buy.

“Phu Long custard apples are grown according to VietGap standards, 100% artificially pollinated. Custard apple trees not only produce fruit in the main season but also in the off-season, and are a local 4-star OCOP product,” said Mr. The.

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Custard apple auctioned for 100 million/fruit: Previously had to be cut down, now gourmets are looking to buy

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