Sweetness can change destiny:
From barren cassava plants to orchards laden with custard apples.
Decades ago, the lives of the people in Dai Dinh commune were closely tied to cassava cultivation. Vast hillsides were planted solely with cassava, but the income was insufficient to compensate for the hard work. Each plot of land yielded only a few hundred kilograms, resulting in unstable income and plunging many families into hardship. "One plot of land only yielded a few hundred kilograms, and from an economic standpoint, it was impossible to make a living," recalled Mr. Chu Van Dung, a resident of Dong But village, Dai Dinh commune, remembering those difficult days.
Then, a turning point came when the people boldly switched to growing custard apples. The custard apple, seemingly just an ordinary fruit tree, became a "lifesaver" that helped them escape poverty and become wealthy. "Since we started growing custard apples, the economic value has been incredibly high," Mr. Dung happily shared.
The reason why the Bồ Lý custard apple variety thrives and yields high economic returns lies in its suitability to the natural conditions. This variety is particularly well-adapted to the soil and climate of the hilly areas of Đại Đình commune, making it easy to plant, easy to care for, and quick to harvest. More importantly, the Bồ Lý custard apple is renowned for its unique characteristics rarely found elsewhere: large fruit, soft green skin, ivory-white flesh, few seeds, and especially a very fragrant aroma. Its intensely sweet taste, firm and chewy segments have created a distinct and unmistakable brand. Furthermore, the Bồ Lý custard apple can be stored for a long time without spoiling, meeting the transportation and consumption needs of the market.
Improve quality, build brand.
To improve quality and economic value, farmers in Dai Dinh commune have continuously improved their farming techniques. With a focus on food safety and hygiene, many households have adopted modern farming methods. Mr. Hoang Van Tinh, Chairman of the Farmers' Association of Dai Dinh commune, said: "Thanks to the application of pruning techniques, artificial pollination, and appropriate fertilization, the custard apples grown in our orchards use 100% organic fertilizers and do not use pesticides; we only control pests manually." Thanks to this clean farming process, Bo Ly custard apples are selling very well. "As soon as we harvest them, traders come directly to the orchards to buy them," Mr. Tinh affirmed.
Clean farming practices have resulted in safe, high-quality custard apples, thereby building strong trust among consumers. Ms. Nguyen Thi Toan, a small business owner from Tho Tang commune, Phu Tho province, affirmed: "My customers rate the custard apples as very delicious, sweet, and with few seeds." This trust is not only praise but also motivation for farmers in Dai Dinh commune to continue cultivating and developing custard apples.
Expanding into the market and making a fortune from local specialties.
With an area of approximately 150 hectares, concentrated in villages such as Dong But, Trai Mai, and Ngoc Thu, Bo Ly custard apple has become one of the key products of Dai Dinh commune. The Bo Ly custard apple brand has been protected by the Ministry of Science and Technology as a collective trademark and participates in the OCOP program, giving the product the opportunity to reach a wider market.
Nowadays, the Bồ Lý custard apple is not only a popular fruit among consumers across provinces and cities, but it has also become an integral part of the Tam Đảo tourist area. Thanks to its unique flavor, the Bồ Lý custard apple has become an attractive specialty gift for tourists. This not only provides a stable income for the local people but also contributes to promoting the image of the area.
Mr. Nguyen Minh Tuan, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Dai Dinh commune, emphasized: "The Party Committee and the People's Committee of the commune have also determined to promote the brand building of Bo Ly custard apples." He said that the commune government is planning to build product display booths at the Tay Thien scenic area so that tourists can learn more about the product.
However, to maximize its potential, the locality needs to further strengthen its efforts in promoting and advertising the product. The commune government needs to have a specific plan and coordinate with relevant agencies to develop a suitable and effective promotional program. In addition, encouraging custard apple farming cooperatives to strengthen production linkages, standardize VietGAP cultivation processes, and expand markets will be strategic steps to help Bo Ly custard apples further solidify their position and reach greater heights.
The story of the Bồ Lý custard apple is not just about a sweet and delicious fruit, but also about the diligence and creativity of the farmers in Đại Đình commune. With their hard work, they have transformed barren hills into orchards laden with fruit, bringing prosperity and sustainability to their homeland.
Ngoc Thang
Source: https://baophutho.vn/cau-chuyen-ve-na-dai-bo-ly-237698.htm
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