The secret of a billionaire growing sweet plum mango

Dong Thanh commune, Binh Minh town, Vinh Long province is known for its specialty fruit, the plum mango. The fruit is divided into two primary varieties: the traditional variety, which can be distinguished by its small fruit, sour flavor, and low selling price, and the sweet variety.

The latter variety yields larger fruit, a slightly sweet taste that is comparable to that of Hoa Loc mango, and a unique fragrance. It is priced at twice the price of the sour version. Nevertheless, the sweet variety is not widely planted due to the unpredictable weather, which results in a low rate of flowering and fruiting. 

Elderly Farmer Huynh Van Cap, also known as Nam Cap, has been cultivating the plum mango for more than two decades and is a pioneer in the development of the delicious plum mango variety in the local area. He resides in the Dong Hung 2 hamlet. He has dedicated over a decade to the exploration, research, and application of new techniques to enhance the fruiting and flowering capabilities of the sweet plum mango variety.

He has previously worked with experts from Can Tho University to research the induction of off-season flowering in sour plum mangoes; however, the results were not as anticipated. Undeterred, he started on a journey to Thailand last year to acquire practical experience from successful models, thereby establishing an entirely new path for the sweet plum mango.

He experimented on his orchard last season by combining the techniques he acquired during his journey to Thailand with his practical experience. In connection with his special care methods, the elderly farmer implemented a technique that involved the use of lighting at night to encourage blooming. In a mere week, his plum mango orchard blossomed in an unprecedented quantity. He subsequently combined irrigation with the application of fruit-setting support agents to obtain the highest possible yield. 

"On average, a 10-year-old tree requires approximately seven 9W LED bulbs to generate an adequate amount of light to promote blooming." In comparison to the revenue that the tree generates, the electricity cost for seven days of illumination is negligible. Nam Cap analyzed that the use of irrigation to promote flowering is both ineffective and costly.

The elderly farmer emphasized that farmers would no longer be reliant on the seasons and could induce off-season blooming to sell at higher prices if the technique is implemented correctly. Approximately 70 kg of fruit can be produced by a tree that is 10 years old on average. The sweet plum mango has the potential to be a wealth-generating crop for farmers, with selling prices spanning from 120,000 to 140,000 VND/kg. 

For the 2022–2023 season, Huynh Van Cap harvested 8.8 tons of sweet plum mango fruit on his 4-hectare orchard and sold seedlings, resulting in a profit of more than 1 billion VND. He is presently in the process of transferring his techniques to farmers in the vicinity in order to collaborate on the development of efficient plum mango cultivation models.

Nationwide outstanding farmer

Huynh Van Cap, a national outstanding farmer, has not only concentrated on research but also organized a group of farmers who share his interests to establish the Sweet Plum Mango Cooperative in Dong Thanh commune. The Chairman of the Board and General Director of the cooperative, he is responsible for the provision of care techniques, the support of seedling supply, and the assistance of cooperative members in enhancing their productivity and income. 

Nam Cap was the first to effectively develop the technique for inducing off-season blooming and fruiting in sweet plum mangoes, according to Huynh Van Loi, Chairman of the Farmers' Association of Dong Thanh commune. This is a significant milestone for the crop. 

The model is supervised by the Farmers' Association of Dong Thanh. If it continues to prosper in the upcoming seasons, the expansion of sweet plum mango cultivation areas will be encouraged. This will assist farmers in enhancing their family economies, thereby contributing to improved living standards for residents. 

The Vietnam Farmers' Association recognized Huynh Van Cap as a "National Outstanding Farmer" in 2024 for his innovative off-season fruiting techniques and contributions to developing sweet plum mango varieties. 

Huynh Van Cap is an active participant in social welfare initiatives, in addition to his agricultural accomplishments. He has contributed funds to restore bridges and roads and donated 500 square meters of land for road construction. He frequently donates gifts to destitute households and provides bicycles and school supplies to underprivileged students. His annual contributions to social welfare total more than 180 million VND. 

The sweet plum mango variety is highly promising, and the entire municipality of Binh Minh currently cultivates over 27 hectares of plum mangos. The district has devised a proposal to elevate the sweet plum mango to a critical commodity, thereby facilitating the development of cooperatives and ensuring that the product meets the 4-star OCOP standards.