Recovering the glorious passion fruit [Article 5]: Weak chain of connections

The lack of connection among farmers

Key passion fruit growing areas in Gia Lai province were once lush and profitable passion fruit gardens, but they are now abandoned and neglected. These gardens, which used to yield considerable profits, have now deteriorated, with some owners ceasing care altogether. In some cases, the land beneath the passion fruit trellises is used for short-term crops like corn and beans.

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Recovering the glorious passion fruit [Article 4]: Seed quality is a problem

Recovering the glorious passion fruit [Article 3]: Raging diseases

Ia Grai, one of Gia Lai's primary passion fruit districts spanning about 1,000 hectares, had vibrant passion fruit gardens about six months ago. People were actively engaged in pruning, fertilizing, and harvesting due to the high buying price of passion fruit at 20,000 VND/kg or even more. Groups of individuals joyfully harvested the large, round lemons, transporting them to collection points in convoys of vehicles.

However, the situation has drastically changed. From the heart of the Ia Grai district through key passion fruit-growing communes like Ia H'rung and Ia Ba, the atmosphere is now bleak. Many passion fruit gardens have withered, overrun by grass. Some plots now host short-term crops, while others have been abandoned, with only cows grazing amid the once thriving passion fruit plants.

During a morning walk, I encountered Mr. Vo Thanh Son, a farmer from Chu Hau 6 village in Ia Ba commune, diligently sowing peanuts on land that was previously a passion fruit plantation. He shared that after two seasons of plummeting lemon prices (down to 2,000 VND/kg), he was forced to replace the passion fruit trees with peanuts since the returns didn’t cover the harvesting expenses.

Mr. Son further explained that his family had initially replaced old coffee trees with passion fruit due to high prices. However, with the recent price drop, they had to convert a portion of the land to peanut cultivation. They still tend to a remaining passion fruit garden, hoping for better times and higher prices in the future.

When questioned about collaboration in passion fruit cultivation, Mr. Son expressed that they merely acquire seeds and fertilizer from cooperatives or distribution points. They sell the harvest to traders and haven't heard of joint production discussions.

Bài liên quan

Recovering the glorious passion fruit [Article 2]: Losing control because of overplanting gardens

Recovering the glorious passion fruit [Article 1]: Forgotten passion fruit gardens

Continuing to Chu Pah district, another major passion fruit area, I visited Pang village in Ia Nhin commune. There, Ms. Ro Cham K're and her husband were weeding a 1,000m2 passion fruit garden. Under the passion fruit canopy, they were cultivating coffee trees, recently planted this year.

Ms. Ro Cham K're mentioned that even though passion fruit prices are declining, they continue to weed and fertilize. Their primary focus, however, is nurturing the newly replanted coffee garden, while passion fruit is a secondary pursuit.

When asked about affiliations with businesses or cooperatives in passion fruit cultivation, Ms. Ro Cham K're looked perplexed and inquired about the term "association."

Without affiliations, growing passion fruit becomes a matter of chance. Consequently, when passion fruit prices plummet, farmers shoulder the burden alone.

According to the Gia Lai Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, collaboration and linkage between businesses, cooperatives, and farmers in the passion fruit industry remain unsustainable, predominantly centered on buying and selling agreements. The involvement of parties in the value chain remains limited, particularly in the role of passion fruit processing enterprises for maintaining and developing passion fruit raw material areas sustainably.

Limited business interests

Thong Do International Joint Stock Company is among the few pioneers in producing high-quality passion fruit varieties. In 2021, the company began constructing phase 1 of the High-Quality Plant Seed Center in Chu Puh district, now capable of producing over 20 million passion fruit seedlings annually.

However, Mr. Le Van Tuyen, the General Director, mentioned that the company solely provides high-quality climbing varieties to farmers through cooperatives and local connections, lacking direct engagement with individuals.

As part of a multinational corporation, Quicornac Co., Ltd. operates a factory in Tra Da Industrial Park with a production capacity of 500 tons of fresh fruit per day. Mr. Luu Quoc Thanh, the General Director of Quicornac Gia Lai Company, highlighted that their strategy doesn't involve direct connections or investments. Instead, their strength lies in transparent and fair payment procedures, ensuring quick payments within three days of delivery. He stressed the importance of clear regulations in affiliated programs to prevent factory and farmer losses.

The Ia Mo Nong Production - Trade - Service and Tourism Cooperative in Chu Pah district directly collaborates with farmers in passion fruit cultivation. Mr. Le Van Thanh, the Cooperative's Director, mentioned their association with over 100 households across 180-200 hectares. They provide seeds and fertilizer and later purchase the harvest, deducting costs paid by farmers at the start of the season.

“Organizing partnerships with farmers for passion fruit cultivation at least brings some positive effects, helping households facing initial capital difficulties by providing necessary resources," Mr. Thanh concluded.

In Chu Pah district, Gia Lai province, the Ia Mo Nong Production - Trade - Service and Tourism Cooperative stands out as one of the few organized entities directly collaborating with farmers in the cultivation of passion fruit. Mr. Le Van Thanh, the Cooperative's Director, emphasized that the unit has established partnerships with over 100 households spanning an area of approximately 180-200 hectares. This partnership model involves receiving seeds from seed production units and supplying them to farmers. Moreover, the cooperative offers fertilizers to those in need. At the time of harvest, the cooperative procures the produce and transports it to the processing facility. The expenses for fertilizers and seeds, paid by farmers at the commencement of the season, are then deducted.

Mr. Thanh highlighted the positive impact of organizing partnerships for passion fruit cultivation, particularly in alleviating initial capital challenges by providing seeds and fertilizers, which are subsequently deducted during harvesting. This approach ensures a stable output, providing reassurance to the people involved in the process.