Raise the value of Vinh Chau 'Xuong' longan

With the characteristic of adapting to diverse lands from fresh water to salty areas, “Xuong” longan has become a fruit chosen by many farmers in Vinh Chau town, Soc Trang province for economic development. According to many households living and sticking here for a long time, aquaculture is still the strength of the locality due to its proximity to the sea.

In recent years, people have begun to grow fruit trees, in which “Xuong” longan has proven its ability to grow well on the sandy soil of Vinh Chau. Vinh Chau “Xuong” longan has become a famous brand appearing on many e-commerce platforms, with eye-catching designs and packaging. The highlight of Vinh Chau “Xuong” longan is the large fruit, thick rice, little water, sweet and a little "salty" of Vinh Chau coastal country.

Mr. Dinh Hoang Vu, director of Vinh Chau longan cooperative in Bien Tren hamlet, Vinh Phuoc ward, Vinh Chau town, said that the cooperative currently has 40 hectares of longan growing area with an average yield of 8-10 tons/hectare.

According to Mr. Vu's experience, "Xuong" longan begins to harvest in June every year. About 2 years ago, the cooperative members of the cooperative began to apply scientific and technical measures, spread the crop, and let “Xuong” longan produce fruit all year round, so that the output on the market was the relatively stable price, it is important to aim at the right target for exporting “Xuong” longan in the future.

Although the yield in the reverse crop is only about 70% compared to the main crop, according to Mr. Vu, the selling price is always 30 to 40% higher. Currently, the cooperative has cooperated with a number of supermarkets, post offices, fruit granaries ... in Soc Trang province, with a supply level of 300-500 kg/day, ensuring stable output for Vinh Chau “Xuong” longan. Currently, the selling price of "Xuong" longan in the garden is from VND 25,000 - 30,000/kg, the opposite season is up to VND 40,000/kg.

Sharing about the way for “Xuong” longan development in Vinh Chau land, Mr. Vu confided that cowhide longan was the first variety he chose to plant, but over the years, the price has been unstable. Gradually he switched to the golden “Xuong” longan, which has been nearly 13 years. Compared with many other fruits, “Xuong” longan is easy to take care of, mainly to ensure adequate water supply for the plant, combined with additional application of organic fertilizers and biological drugs to maintain the plant's yield.

With the support from the specialized departments of Soc Trang province, Vinh Chau "Xuong" longan cooperative is linking with a number of businesses to produce organic longan for the domestic market and for export, improving the value of “Xuong” longan.

Mr. Ma Chi Tho, Head of the Economic Department of Vinh Chau town, said that Vinh Chau town currently has more than 291 hectares of longan, which is concentrated in Vinh Tan and Lai Hoa communes and Ward 1, Vinh Phuoc ward, mainly "Xuong" longan. In which, up to 40% of longan area is grown according to VietGAP processes, organic and organic in the near future, meeting market orientation.

In 2023, Vinh Chau Town Economic Department coordinated with Soc Trang province's specialized departments to pilot the organic longan growing model on an area of 5 hectares to evaluate the results and replicate it to farmers in the area specializing in longan cultivation in the following years.

Mr. Tho emphasized that Soc Trang's goal is determined to improve the quality of Vinh Chau longan, especially by inviting businesses to associate, consume, and promote the export of Vinh Chau "Xuong" longan.

Before that, in early 2023, Mr. Tran Van Lau, Chairman of Soc Trang Provincial People's Committee, during a business trip to visit and learn about the activities of agricultural cooperatives in the province, Mr. Lau suggested promoting the application of science and technology to diversify products from "Xuong" longan, with support from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Department of Science and Technology of the province.

In addition, the cooperative needs to plan more planting areas to expand the area, and exploit the value of the longan tree to develop more types of tourism in the locality and the leadership of the cooperative will be the core force in coordination with the local authorities agencies to guide the cooperative members to renovate longan gardens in association with tourism. These orientations have opened up many new development directions for the key longan growing area in Vinh Chau town in the coming time.