However, in recent times, the area of this rambutan tree has decreased significantly due to its decreasing efficiency compared to other fruit trees. However, rambutan gardens are impressive destinations for developing garden tourism. This is also the solution that many gardeners in Binh Loc commune and Long Khanh city have exploited, contributing to increasing the economic value as well as preserving this specialty tree.
Fear of losing local specialty rambutan variety
Dong Nai's local rambutan varieties are famous specialties and have been granted geographical indications, such as Java rambutan and longan rambutan grown in the following communes and wards: Binh Loc, Bao Quang, Xuan Tan, Bao Vinh (Long Khanh city); Xuan Dinh, Bao Hoa (Xuan Loc district); Xuan Thien, Quang Trung, Gia Kiem, Gia Tan 3 (Thong Nhat district); Song Nhan, Xuan Que, Bao Binh and Xuan Bao (Cam My district).
According to the Intellectual Property Office, Long Khanh longan rambutan has green, orange-yellow and red-yellow skin, aromatic, crispy and sweet taste. Long Khanh Java rambutan has red and dark red skin, long, thick beard and green spotted tail, sweet taste. The geographical area has special natural conditions such as terrain, climate and soil which are factors that create the quality of Long Khanh rambutan, thereby affirming the special quality of Long Khanh rambutan compared to other regions.
However, the area of these two rambutan varieties has decreased significantly compared to before.
Rambutan garden in Binh Loc commune (Long Khanh city) is an attractive destination for tourists. Photo: B.Nguyen
Mr. Do Vinh Thuy, a good farmer in Xuan Dinh commune who used to grow several hectares of rambutan, longan and Java, said: "I cut down the rambutan area to switch to growing durian because this crop is much less effective than the new crop. When the crop is in full swing, the price of rambutan often drops sharply, causing the profits of rambutan growers to fall into a precarious situation. One reason is that harvesting rambutan costs much more labor than many other crops."
Long Khanh rambutan was once famous far and wide for its quality and deliciousness. In its heyday, Binh Loc commune alone had over 1,000 hectares of rambutan. But now, this locality only has about 400 hectares of rambutan, mainly growing Thai rambutan.
According to Director of Binh Loc Agricultural, Service and Trade Cooperative Phung Thanh Tam, longan rambutan and Java rambutan are long-standing specialties of Long Khanh. Java rambutan has been exported to France and there are customers who have asked to purchase this fruit to export to demanding markets with large output, but the locality cannot meet the requirements of having a specialized area to grow only this rambutan variety.
Accordingly, the output of this fruit is quite unstable, the economic efficiency is not as good as some new crops, making rambutan farmers no longer interested in this crop.
Associated with tourism exploitation
To preserve the local specialty rambutan, many gardeners in Binh Loc commune participate in the garden tourism model. In particular, rambutan gardens have become attractive destinations for tourists.
Ms. Nong Quay Phong, owner of a rambutan garden in Cay Da hamlet, Binh Loc commune, shared that her family has 0.7 hectares of rambutan. In recent years, her family has partnered with a facility specializing in organizing garden tours, becoming a tourist attraction. Thanks to that, she no longer worries about the output of this fruit, and the profit from the rambutan garden has also increased significantly compared to before.
Mr. Huynh Vu Bao Giang, owner of Di Hai Garden Tourist Facility in Binh Loc Commune, added that Long Khanh is busiest during the summer tourist season thanks to its fruit specialties. Among them, the rambutan garden is one of the most unique features to attract tourists to come here to enjoy delicious fruit and take souvenir photos.
Di Hai Tourist Establishment cooperates with many rambutan gardens, renovating the gardens to suit the needs of each customer group. Specifically, for student groups, they like to visit rambutan gardens with wide canopies and low canopy to easily pick fruit and take photos. Students and older young people will prefer long-standing rambutan gardens with large branches to experience climbing and picking fruit.
Mr. Lam Phi Hung, owner of Sau Hung Garden (in Binh Loc commune), said that Long Khanh city has implemented a project on solutions for storing and developing fruit tree varieties with geographical indications for rambutan trees. This QR code includes full information of the garden owner, year of planting, variety, average yield and geographic coordinates to locate the tree on Google Map. Each tree is given a unique QR code, which is attached throughout the care and exploitation process. Therefore, rambutan trees are identified and traceable. Consumers in Dong Nai and everywhere can order rambutan thanks to the information technology platform.
Vice Chairwoman of Binh Loc Commune People's Committee Ngo Thi Kim Oanh said that the locality encourages farmers to develop garden tourism, helping to increase the value of agricultural production. Many years ago, Binh Loc Commune People's Committee established a Garden Ecotourism Cooperative Group with the goal of exploiting garden tourism more professionally.
To date, this cooperative has connected with about 90 gardeners in the commune to create garden tourism spots. The locality continues to support the expansion of the cooperative's operations, as well as the garden tourism model to further promote the economic efficiency of this model in the future.
Source: https://danviet.vn/vung-dat-nay-o-dong-nai-noi-tieng-trong-bat-ngan-cay-ra-trai-ngon-thich-nhat-la-tu-vo-vuon-be-an-20240524180600009.htm
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