VietGAP custard apple production cooperative of Bang Huu commune: Linking production, improving product quality - Lang Son Newspaper and Radio and Television Station

Members of the VietGAP custard apple production cooperative in Bang Huu commune prune custard apple branches, preparing for the new crop.

Bang Huu commune has over 1,660 hectares of agricultural and forestry land (accounting for over 60% of the total natural land area). This is an advantage for the commune to develop production models such as: afforestation, fruit tree planting...

In 2018, some households in the commune developed a small-scale custard apple growing model. By 2019, the custard apple growing movement began to develop strongly. To date, the whole commune has more than 40 hectares of custard apples. With the desire to build and develop a sustainable custard apple growing model, the Bang Huu commune government has encouraged and mobilized custard apple growers to establish cooperative groups (CGTs) to support each other, gradually increasing the value of the products. Accordingly, in early 2024, custard apple growers in the commune have linked up and established a CGT with 17 members, a scale of 19 hectares and applied care processes according to VietGAP standards.

Mr. Ly Van Tiep, Head of the VietGAP custard apple production group in Bang Huu commune, said: Although we are located in the "custard apple" area, it was not until 2018 that I and some households in the commune started planting custard apple trees. In the early years of developing the model, we encountered many difficulties in caring for and preventing pests and diseases on custard apple trees due to lack of experience and mainly small-scale production, resulting in low economic efficiency. By 2024, after receiving propaganda from the commune government and realizing that in order to develop sustainably, it is necessary to switch from small-scale production to concentrated production, we joined forces to establish the group.

Immediately after its establishment, the cooperative was oriented and supported by the district Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (now the Department of Agriculture and Environment) and the commune government to develop production in the direction of VietGAP. Accordingly, members of the cooperative were instructed on the process and techniques of caring for custard apples according to VietGAP standards; supported with fertilizers, production materials... In particular, member households also signed a product consumption contract with Dong Mo Agricultural Production and Service Cooperative (Dong Mo town, Chi Lang district).

Mr. Luong Van Thanh, a member of the cooperative, said: In 2019, my family started growing custard apples with more than 400 trees (mainly custard apples). However, in the past, I mainly took care of them in the traditional way, so the yield was low and the fruit quality was not high. By 2024, when joining the cooperative, my family was instructed by professional staff on the process and techniques of caring for them according to VietGAP and signed a contract to purchase the products. Through the process of caring for and harvesting, I found that the custard apple trees grew well, were less susceptible to pests and diseases, and the yield also increased by 10 to 15% compared to when the VietGAP process had not been applied. Not only that, custard apple products cared for according to the VietGAP process are also sold at high prices. In the 2024 custard apple crop, my family harvested over 3 tons of custard apples, with a stable selling price of 35,000 - 40,000 VND/kg, bringing in an income of over 100 million VND after deducting expenses.

According to the assessment of professional units, the custard apple production model according to VietGAP standards gives good productivity, increasing from 10 to 15% compared to traditional care; the custard apple fruit is larger and more beautiful; the selling price is also higher from 5,000 - 10,000 VND/kg. In addition, applying VietGAP standards also helps custard apple growers reduce costs and care, increasing economic efficiency. In the 2024 custard apple crop, the harvest output of the cooperative will reach over 100 tons, bringing in revenue of more than 3.5 billion VND, with each member of the cooperative earning an average income of 100 - 300 million VND.

Mr. Hoang Van Trung, Party Secretary and Chairman of the People's Committee of Bang Huu Commune, said: The model of caring for custard apples according to VietGAP standards of the THT has brought practical results. With guaranteed productivity and product quality, in November 2024, the custard apple products of the THT were granted VietGAP certificates. In the coming time, to support the THT in developing production, the commune government will continue to promote and encourage people to maintain and expand the custard apple growing area and ensure care according to VietGAP procedures; advise and support the THT in completing documents and procedures, striving to build custard apple products into OCOP products in 2025.

It can be seen that, thanks to the good exploitation of the potential and strengths of the locality and the boldness in changing the mindset and traditional farming practices towards production linkage, focusing on applying science and technology, the VietGAP custard apple production cooperative of Bang Mac commune has successfully built an economic model, gradually improving productivity, quality and product value, meeting the increasing demands of consumers, thereby contributing to building and affirming the Chi Lang custard apple brand in the market.

Source: https://baolangson.vn/to-hop-tac-san-xuat-na-vietgap-xa-bang-huu-lien-ket-san-xuat-nang-chat-luong-san-pham-5042125.html