The organic apple production model with VietGAP certification in Phong Phu commune (Tuy Phong district) has beautiful fruit appearance and good product quality. Thereby, it contributes to increasing the ability to connect and increase profits per unit area, averaging about 340 million VND/ha, higher than outside the model by about 47 million VND/ha...
Plants that thrive in sunny and windy areas
Apple is considered one of the main crops, the strength of Tuy Phong district in general and Phong Phu commune in particular. Currently, the apple growing area of Phong Phu commune is about 100 hectares / 225 households, the revenue from this fruit tree contributes significantly to the economic development of households. Coming to the apple area of Phong Phu commune on the days before the Lunar New Year 2024, we can witness with our own eyes the cool green space, each orchard full of fruit in the harvest season at the gardeners. Notably, each adjacent apple garden is almost covered by a "coat" of film to minimize the damage caused by pests, especially fruit flies. This shows the investment and meticulous care of apple farmers.
According to the Provincial Agricultural Extension Center, the unit has recently coordinated with the locality to implement the model of "Intensive organic apple cultivation meeting VietGAP standards" in Phong Phu commune. Thereby, the goal is to increase productivity, ensure the quality of apple products, help farmers have more conditions to change the crop structure and develop apple trees in a sustainable and effective way, contributing to the construction of new rural areas, contributing to the construction of apple products meeting OCOP standards for fresh apples in 2024.
Mr. Ho Cong Binh - Agricultural Extension Officer in charge of the model (Provincial Agricultural Extension Center) said that the model was implemented on 18 hectares, with 57 households participating, from August to December 2023. Specifically, the support policy when implementing the model is to apply the agricultural extension policy for disadvantaged communes, including 50% support for materials; 100% of consulting costs and VietGAP certification. In addition, households are trained in technology transfer, diary recording, regulations and rules when producing according to VieGAP standards. Apple trees implemented in the model have a planting density of 300 - 350 trees/ha; the apple varieties in the model are green apples, TN 05 apples and Thai pump apples, the age of the apples is from 1.5 - 3 years. The height of the apple cage is from 3 m - 3.5 m, the material used to make the cage is fishing net, the cage frame is made of bamboo and iron.
Apples grow well
According to the Agricultural Extension Center, up to now, all 18 hectares of apple trees implementing the model have been certified as meeting VietGAP standards by the end of 2023, issued by the FAO Certification and Testing Joint Stock Company in Can Tho City. The validity of the certificate is 3 years. Apple trees in the model grow well, flower and bear fruit easily. In addition, the climate in Phong Phu commune has many hours of sunshine and little rain, creating favorable conditions for apple trees to grow well, with high productivity and fruit quality. Specifically, the apple yield is about 50 tons/ha (currently, the price of green apples sold in the garden is about 10,000 - 12,000 VND/kg), increasing profits per unit area, an average of 340 million VND/ha, about 47 million VND/ha higher than outside the model.
Besides, some pests such as mealybugs, fruit flies, fruit borers, thrips... still appear but the rate is still low and pesticides have not been used.
According to agricultural extension officers, through technical training, households have grasped the apple production process according to VietGAP standards. At the same time, they have a positive awareness of the benefits of applying organic microbial fertilizers and biological pesticides in production to contribute to soil improvement, increase productivity and quality, and create safe products. Strictly follow the isolation time of each type of pesticide when spraying on apple trees. Promote the connection between production and the market, gradually build a brand for VietGAP apples, aiming to achieve OCOP products at the district level in 2024. The organic apple intensive farming model with VietGAP certification has brought about efficiency for people, and the model continues to be replicated in other communes in the district such as Binh Thanh, Chi Cong, etc. At the same time, it contributes to protecting public health and field ecology.
To increase the effectiveness of the model in the coming time, the Provincial Agricultural Extension Center hopes that localities need to do a good job of propaganda to raise farmers' awareness in applying scientific and technical advances in production.
Along with that, coordinate well with safe apple consumption facilities (VietGAP) to solve the output for the product. Most importantly, there needs to be consensus and awareness of farmers to apply new scientific and technical advances in production.
According to Mr. Ngo Thai Son - Deputy Director in charge of the Provincial Agricultural Extension Center, the unit will continue to build a modern apple growing model in Tuy Phong, applying high technology to production, transparent production and traceability of products. Promote the exploitation of certified VietGAP standards, aiming for higher certifications, in which circular and organic production will be invested in. At the same time, linking apple growing areas with the pilot construction of community agricultural extension models, increasing the connection between apple growers and groups, cooperatives, businesses and state management agencies at all levels in the area.
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