Quang Minh red-fleshed guava fascinates Japanese experts

The Japanese expert delegation's visit, led by Mr. Nguyen Viet Vi, Chairman of the Billionaire Farmers Club of Binh Phuoc province, aims to introduce Binh Phuoc's specialty fruits to Japanese experts to seek opportunities for cooperation and sustainable agricultural development.

In recent years, Binh Phuoc has been known as the capital of many famous specialty fruits and many modern agricultural models, attracting the attention and investment of many foreign agricultural "big guys." This is also the reason why the Japanese expert delegation came to Binh Phuoc to visit some of the agricultural production models to seek cooperation and investment opportunities in the agricultural sector. The red-fleshed pearl guava model is one of the bright spots in sustainable agricultural development in Binh Phuoc province, chosen by the province's Billionaire Farmers Club to bring Japanese experts to visit.

For more than a decade, Taiwanese red-fleshed pearl guava has become one of the main crops in Quang Minh commune, with a total area of nearly 100 hectares and an output of thousands of tons per year, concentrated mainly in the Soc Ruong 3 hamlet. In 2022, Quang Minh Guava achieved 3-star OCOP certification. Quang Minh's red-fleshed pearl guava has delicious quality, crispiness, and eye-catching color, so it is favored by consumers and consumed nationwide. In particular, a business in Ho Chi Minh City has signed a contract to purchase large quantities to export to the Italian and United Arab Emirates markets.

Ms. Chu Thi Mai La, head of the red-fleshed guava growing cooperative group in Quang Minh commune, has 3 hectares of Taiwanese red-fleshed guava grown according to the organic process. "All guava gardens in Quang Minh currently apply the organic farming and caring process without the use of toxic chemical products, from fertilizers to pesticides. Organic farming is not only healthy for us, but the products are also tastier, the soil is cleaner and more fertile, and many insects such as bees, butterflies, ants, and earthworms multiply," she said.

Visiting guava gardens in Quang Minh, the Japanese expert delegation was very excited; everyone held red-fleshed guava fruits in their hands and ate them continuously. Mr. Tachiyashiki Sunao, former manager of Hyogo Prefectural Social Welfare (Japan); Dr. Sato, former nuclear research expert in Kagoshima Prefecture; and Ms. Sato Takako, Tea Ceremony and Ikebane lecturer, are all admiring and praising, going from surprise to surprise about Binh Phuoc's red-fleshed guava. The process of planting and caring for guavas is implemented by farmers in an organic and eco-friendly direction, ensuring good health for consumers. "This time, I knew how delicious Vietnamese guava is. In particular, guava grown organically has a very different taste and sweetness," said Mr. Tachiyashiki Sunao.

"This is truly a wonderful garden. My female friends often choose products that may cost more but are good for their health. I realize that in Vietnam, the need to use good, healthy products is paid attention to. I really admire the owner of this guava farm because he saw that. I will introduce merchants to bring delicious, specialty fruits of Binh Phuoc to our country of Japan," Ms. Sato Takako shared at the guava garden of Ms. So Phi's family in hamlet 3, Quang Minh commune.

Dr. Sato commented: I find the guava here very delicious. When I come here, I want to introduce as many Japanese people as possible to come and pick fresh guava fruits and eat them at the garden to feel the deliciousness as well as the enthusiasm and efforts of the local people. After returning to my country, I will introduce and connect with my friends to come here to experience.

Mr. Nguyen Viet Vi, Chairman of Binh Phuoc Billionaire Farmers Club, Chairman of the Board of Directors, and Director of Phuoc Thien Trade and Service Cooperative, shared that the visit and survey of the Japanese expert delegation are short; the time for field trip and experience is not much, but it is a meaningful trip. For experts, meeting real farmers of Binh Phuoc who make agricultural products that are very familiar but have unique and unforgettable flavors, along with the hospitality and warm welcome, has left many unforgettable aftertastes in the hearts of visitors.

Everyone promises to reunite in the near future to shake hands, sign cooperation, trade, and exchange goods of the famous, quality agricultural products of Binh Phuoc with many Japanese provinces and cities.

"Welcoming Japanese expert delegations has suggested to us the future direction and cooperation plans. We have been able to connect with investors in Japan, a country that is very meticulous about the market, especially consumer goods and food. This time, after visiting the cooperative's models, the two sides will discuss signing cooperation and promoting two-way trade. We target the Japanese market with some fresh fruits, such as red-fleshed guava, and deeply processed products from young jackfruit, which are a line of vegetable meat to serve the needs of fast food and reduce environmental harm, ensuring consumer health,"  shared Mr. Nguyen Viet Vi.