High-tech grape growing in membrane houses with year-round harvest

Nha Ho Research Institute for Cotton and Agriculture Development (NHAHO-RICOTAD) has organized a workshop on a grape production model with a high-tech application.

The model is implemented in rain-covered membrane greenhouses on the institute’s research and experimental areas of 2,000m2 and 10,000m2 respectively. Scaffolds for vines are designed in the form of Y or T with insect nets around. The semi-automatic sun-preventing, air conditioning, humidity, and watering saving systems are used to combine with semi-automatic fertilization. At the same time, a solar battery system is also installed to supply electricity for the model.

After nearly 3 years of implementation, the evaluation results show that the high-tech grape growing model has helped the vines grow and develop well all year round, less affected by external factors, especially rain. It also supports the plants to grow in balance thanks to the application of technology in watering combined with semi-automatic fertilizing. Pest management. therefore, is more convenient.

As a result, the yield and quality of grapes are significantly improved. The harvested grape products ensure food hygiene and safety. With this model, branches can be cut during the rainy season to increase the quality and quantity of the fruits thus helping increase the growers’ income. Up to now, the model has been replicated in some localities in Ninh Thuan Province such as Nhon Son Commune (Ninh Son District), Phuoc Thuan Commune (Ninh Phuoc District), and other provinces including Khanh Hoa and Binh Thuan.

Although the model requires a relatively high investment capital, its initial results show remarkable successes and proved to adapt well to weather and climate conditions which are now increasingly changing and become more and more unpredictable.

Its implementation results have also opened a new direction for grape growing, regarded as a premise for replication. The high-tech application in grape growing and production has contributed to improving the product quality of Ninh Thuan's fresh grapes, increasing competitiveness with imported products and growers’ income.