Cao Loc: Prolonged drought causes plum growers to lose crops - Lang Son Newspaper and Radio and Television

People of Hoa Cu commune, Cao Loc district harvest plums.

In late April 2025, we had the opportunity to visit the plum garden of Mr. Lang Van Cu's family, Ban Lanh village, Hoa Cu commune. Mr. Cu shared: My family has over 300 plum trees that are being harvested. This year, due to the dry weather and little rain during the flowering and fruiting stages, the yield and quality of the fruit have decreased. If in previous years, my family harvested 3 to 4 tons of fruit, this year we only harvested about 1 to 1.5 tons, the fruit appearance is also worse and smaller. At the beginning of the season, plums were purchased by traders at prices ranging from 35 to 40 thousand VND/kg, but during the main season, the price is very low. To expand the market, I have to promote the product on social networking sites, so the plums are also more expensive than other households, with prices ranging from 5 to 15 thousand VND/kg (depending on the size of the fruit). This year, my family is expected to earn about 20 to 30 million VND, a decrease of about 5 to 10 million VND compared to last year.

Not only Mr. Cu, many other plum growers in the district are in the same situation. Mr. Hua Van Nguyen, Ban Don village, Loc Yen commune sadly said: My family has been growing plums for more than 10 years, with over 500 trees. However, this year's prolonged drought has reduced the quality of the fruit, the fruit is smaller so the selling price is not high. Currently, the price of plums purchased at the garden only fluctuates from 2,000 to 3,000 VND/kg for small fruit and 6,000 to 7,000 VND/kg for large fruit. Fortunately, traders come to the garden to buy, so the family sells within that price range, accepting a loss rather than wasting it. This year's plum crop, my family estimates to harvest about 1.5 to 2 tons of plums, only half of last year's crop.

Similar to the above two households, many people in other communes of Cao Loc district are also starting to harvest plums. According to information from the Department of Agriculture and Environment (DARD) of Cao Loc district, the whole district currently has over 255 hectares of plums, with a harvest area of about 205 hectares, mainly rice plums. This is also the district with the largest plum growing area in the province. Plum trees are grown in communes such as Hoa Cu, Hai Yen, Loc Yen, etc.

Plum is one of the crops that bring economic efficiency to people in the district. Green plums are very crunchy, sour but not harsh, when ripe they are juicy, have a moderate sweet and sour taste, so they are loved by many people. However, this year the productivity and quality of plums are very low, leading to a significant decrease in income for many plum growing households.

It is known that the main reason for the decrease in plum productivity is due to prolonged drought. On the other hand, people have not paid attention to and focused on the care and nutrition of the trees before and after harvest, so the quality of the fruit is not high. Many old plum gardens are less cared for, so their resistance to the weather is lower, so the fruit set rate is lower, and the quality and appearance of the fruit are also reduced. According to the assessment from the district's professional department, this year's plum yield is estimated at about 3.5 tons/ha, the output is estimated at about 720 tons, a decrease of 97 tons compared to 2024.

Talking to us, Mr. Duong Trung Hieu, Deputy Head of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Cao Loc district said: Currently, the prolonged drought has affected the development of agricultural production in the area, especially plum productivity. In the coming time, the unit will coordinate with the People's Committees of communes to promote propaganda for farmers to innovate production organization methods, apply science and technology in planting and caring for trees such as: producing plums in a safe direction, installing appropriate irrigation systems... Thereby contributing to improving the productivity and quality of plums.

Plum is one of the crops suitable for the climate and soil in the district, helping people increase their income. Therefore, in the coming time, in addition to the participation of the authorities, it is thought that people need to be more proactive in applying science and technology to tree care, especially ensuring appropriate irrigation and drainage systems when the weather is rainy or dry, thereby increasing the productivity and quality of plums, gradually moving towards a sustainable plum production area.

Source: https://baolangson.vn/kho-han-keo-dai-man-com-cao-loc-rot-gia-5044911.html