Farmers develop economic from a seedless fruit

Bao Lam seedless persimmon season in Cao Loc district, Lang Son province, starts from the end of September to the end of November and the beginning of December of the lunar calendar.

With a characteristic taste, when ripe, the fruit has a pinkish-yellow color. The flesh is smooth with granulated sugar, and it is crispy, fragrant, and sweet; the cross-section of the fruit has an asterisk shape of 8 - 12 equal petals and is dark yellow. Flat seeds form these petals; The fruit in the longitudinal section is fibrous and especially seedless. Because of that, this specialty fruit has been favored by consumers. 

Over the years, Bao Lam seedless persimmon trees have contributed significantly to poverty alleviation in the border communes of Cao Loc.

Mr. Nguyen Van Thinh, Vice Chairman of Cao Loc District People's Committee, Lang Son province, shared that over the years, Bao Lam seedless persimmon tree has been identified by Cao Loc district as one of the critical crops bringing high economic value for the citizen.

In the last 3 years, the output of persimmons is estimated at 1,300-1,500 tons, the revenue for growing households in the district is from VND 60-70 billion per year, and some families earn VND 400-500 million per year. It can be said that persimmon trees help people not only get out of poverty but also get rich. 

Previously, Bao Lam seedless persimmon trees were grown in 3 communes, Bao Lam, Thanh Loa, and Thach Dan (Cao Loc district), with nearly 100 hectares. Up to now, Cao Loc district has replicated this specialty plant variety in 10 communes and towns with a total area of over 460 hectares, of which 250 hectares are being harvested.  

For Bao Lam's seedless persimmon tree to develop sustainably, Cao Loc district has directed localities to mobilize people to build persimmon trees in the direction of specialized cultivation to form production areas.

Additionally, applying science and technology in planting and caring for trees has helped significantly improve the yield and quality of seedless persimmons. Thereby creating a premise for organizations and individuals to develop their brands and gradually produce according to VietGAP standards.

Up to this point, Cao Loc district has 02 Bao Lam seedless persimmon products of Hoa Cu clean fruit and vegetable production cooperative and Bao Lam Seedless Persimmon Production Cooperative group, Hai Yen commune, which have been certified for 3-star OCOP products in Lang Son province.

Po Cai village is a Bao Lam seedless persimmon growing area of Gia Cat commune, Cao Loc district. Due to the development of Bao Lam seedless persimmon trees, many households have an income of VND 100 to 150 million per year.

According to Ms. Mao Thi Duy, head of Po Cai village, Gia Cat commune, Cao Loc district, in the past, the consumption of persimmons faced many difficulties.

Currently, consumption is much more convenient because people know how to produce according to the link chain, register for geographical indications, and then issue barcodes. 

To facilitate the consumption of Bao Lam seedless persimmons, Cao Loc district organizes promotional and product introduction activities every year. This year, Cao Loc District People's Committee organized Bao Lam Seedless Persimmon Festival in 2022.

Mr. Nguyen Van Thinh, Vice Chairman of Cao Loc District People's Committee, said that this activity improves communication efficiency in businesses, cooperatives, traders, and consumers to understand the product better. Bao Lam seedless persimmon products expand cultural exchanges, cooperate in economic development, and promote tourism activities associated with the consumption of agricultural products in the region.

Within the framework of the series of events, rose garden contests, typical product booth display contests, and trade-connection conferences between agricultural product consumers and businesses, cooperatives, retailers, and households in the area.

 "In the past, we have actively propagated and mobilized people to expand the growing area of seedless persimmon and improve product quality to meet market demand. Joining the festival, we also want to learn from everyone's experience planting and caring for persimmon trees. Also, this is an opportunity to promote products and connect to find consumption markets for people," shared Mr. La Van Tung, Party Secretary, Chairman of Hoa Cu Commune People's Committee (Cao Loc District).

This year Bao Lam's seedless persimmon is in good season, with the current market price ranging from VND 40,000 to 50,000 per kilogram, which will improve the lives of people in the area.

Ever since Bao Lam seedless persimmon has been attached to the Tay and Nung ethnic minorities in the border area of Cao Loc district, Lang Son province. With specific orientations of local authorities, Bao Lam's seedless persimmon specialty fruit will be preserved and continue to promote its long-standing brand.

Bao Lam seedless persimmon was named in the Top 50 specialty fruits of Vietnam in 2012, known and favored by domestic and foreign consumer markets.

In 2021, the District People's Committee cooperated with units to implement the project "Maintaining and developing the geographical indication "Bao Lam" for seedless persimmon products of Cao Loc district, Lang Son province." Thereby preserving and developing the Bao Lam seedless persimmon brand of Lang Son province.