Can Tho develops many specialty fruit trees for export

In recent years, the area of ​​fruit trees in Can Tho City has continuously increased and is currently over 25,600 hectares, with an annual fruit output of 223,250 tons. The types of fruit trees grown here are pretty diverse in species, including many delicious and specialty fruit trees such as durian, star apple, custard apple, longan, orange, mango, grapefruit, and Ha Chau strawberry... helping to bring high economic value. Recently, many areas of delicious and specialty fruit trees have helped farmers achieve high profits, from VND 200-800 million per ha yearly, or even higher.

To meet the market demand, farmers in Can Tho City pay attention to choosing to grow delicious, and specialty fruit trees and actively implement the agricultural sector's recommendations in implementing linkages and forming concentrated and specialized fruit growing areas. Therefore, it is convenient to build growing area codes, manage pests and diseases, and synchronously apply technical advances and production processes to ensure product quality and safety to meet market demand.

Up to now, in districts and counties in Can Tho, many specialized fruit-growing areas have been formed. Specifically, the durian, star apple and Ha Chau strawberry growing areas in Phong Dien district. Ido longan growing areas in Phong Dien district, Thoi Lai district and O Mon and Thot Not districts. Longan, custard apple and mango growing areas in Co Do district. Plum growing areas in Thot Not district...

Localities have also built collective brands for many fruit trees such as Xoàn oranges and Ido longans - Thoi An, O Mon district, Ha Chau strawberry - Nhon Ai, Phong Dien district. Tan Thoi durian and Truong Khuong A star apple in Truong Long commune, Phong Dien...

According to the Department of Cultivation and Plant Protection of Can Tho, the city has 9 types of fruit trees with a planting area of ​​1,200-4,500 hectares. It has formed many concentrated fruit growing areas with specialized, high-quality, and safety, according to VietGAP and good agricultural practice standards. Durian trees have the largest planting area, with more than 4,520 hectares. Next are mango trees, which total ​​about 3,363 hectares. The planting area of ​​longan is 2,460 hectares, jackfruit is 1,786 hectares, plum is 1,783 hectares, banana is 1,514 hectares, star apple is 1,449 hectares, coconut is 1,365 hectares, lemon is 1,344 hectares, custard apple is 1,291 hectares, orange is 936 hectares, grapefruit is 669 hectares, rambutan is 374 hectares, guava is 362 hectares.

Pham Thi Minh Hieu, Head of the Department of Cultivation and Plant Protection of Can Tho, said: To develop sustainable fruit trees, the city's functional sector has been actively advising farmers not to produce according to trends. Farmers must maintain and develop delicious fruit trees and specialties suitable for local production and soil conditions. Pay attention to developing concentrated fruit tree cultivation, ensuring quality and safety, and strengthening links between parties to create connections between the production, processing, and consumption stages.

In reality, Can Tho fruit farmers have established many cooperatives associated with forming concentrated fruit-growing areas. They have connected with businesses to export to demanding markets, such as Japan, Australia, and the United States.

Tran Van Chien, Director of Truong Khuong A Fruit Garden Cooperative, said: The Cooperative has 45 members, with a total fruit growing area of ​​45.5 hectares, of which 25.5 hectares are for star apple and 20 hectares are for durian. In recent years, thanks to the support of the functional sector in connecting with export enterprises and applying processes, fruit wrapping techniques, and production according to VietGAP and GlobalGAP standards, the cooperative's star apple has been successfully purchased by enterprises for export to the United States and many other demanding markets. Farmers sell star apples for up to VND 50,000 per kg and VND 20,000 per kg, which is higher than selling to traders for domestic consumption.

According to Tran Thai Nghiem, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Can Tho, the area of ​​fruit trees in Can Tho has been expanded recently and is expected to increase further in the coming time. Currently, many concentrated and large-scale fruit tree production areas have been formed. In the coming time, the city's agricultural sector will continue to focus on promoting solutions to promote sustainable fruit tree production.

Pay attention to reviewing and investing in technical infrastructure systems for fruit tree growing areas, especially irrigation systems, to ensure proactive water regulation for production. Promote the development and formation of concentrated and specialized fruit tree production areas and create conditions for establishing growing area codes associated with applying technical processes to ensure product quality and safety. Support farmers in applying mechanization and technical advances and connecting with businesses to ensure stable output.