The efficiency of converting to grow passion fruit trees

Boldly change crops

From some areas of dragon fruit land that were uprooted, many farmers in Binh Thuan are still wondering what to plant to bring about efficiency. At the time of abandonment, the Provincial Agricultural Extension Center connected with input suppliers and agricultural output consumers, introducing some new varieties of crops to test on the fields where dragon fruit was uprooted with the hope of having more crops suitable for the local climate and soil, and at the same time having stable output, creating sustainable livelihoods for farmers. One of the initial effective models was implemented in Ham Liem commune (Ham Thuan Bac) and Tien Thanh (Phan Thiet city).

Hoang Kim passion fruit model garden in Ham Liem commune. Photo: N.Lan

We had the opportunity to visit the Hoang Kim VN77 passion fruit garden at Mr. Huynh Van Thap's household, village 1, Ham Liem commune, Ham Thuan Bac district, when his family's 1-hectare passion fruit garden was bearing ripe fruit. The garden owner shared that because growing dragon fruit had low economic efficiency, for nearly a year now, his family has switched to cultivating Hoang Kim VN77 passion fruit. In particular, the seedlings, fertilizers and technical production processes are in the direction of organic production by Van Hoa Group sending technical staff to accompany farmers. Up to this point, the lemons have begun to be harvested, with the expected yield in the first year reaching about 30 tons/ha, equivalent to that of Dak Lak, Tay Ninh and Tien Giang provinces. Even more outstanding is the product's appearance with a shiny yellow color and the plants are also limited in disease thanks to the warm climate.

At Mr. Nguyen Van Duoc's household in Tien Hoa village, Tien Thanh commune, Phan Thiet city, up to now, after 6 months since he started growing Hoang Kim passion fruit, his family's passion fruit garden has begun to yield sweet fruit. Mr. Duoc shared: "In this area, with the characteristic of loamy soil that is difficult to drain, it is necessary to make beds for each row of passion fruit, thanks to which the Hoang Kim passion fruit trees still took root and developed well during the heavy rains in the past. In 2024, I participated in the model of "Growing and intensive cultivation of passion fruit (passion fruit) in an organic direction" with an area of ​​0.5 hectares implemented by the Agricultural Extension Center of Binh Thuan province with the desire to find a crop suitable for the locality to increase income and is developing according to the agricultural tourism model.

Hoang Kim passion fruit grows well in Binh Thuan (photo by Ngoc Lan).

Economic efficiency

According to the Provincial Agricultural Extension Center, Taiwanese sweet golden passion fruit, also known as VN77 Golden Passion Fruit, is a new variety. When the fruit is ripe, it has a very sweet yellow color, guava flavor and a light sweetness. VN77 Golden Passion Fruit has a growing period of about 2 - 3 months before it begins to flower and bear fruit. After 5 - 6 months, it begins to harvest, with an average yield of 25 - 30 tons/ha in the first year, and an average total yield of 50 - 60 tons/ha in 2 years. Passion fruit is relatively easy to grow and is suitable for many different types of soil. The plant prefers high humidity. When planting, it is necessary to ensure that the plant is watered sufficiently. If there is a lack of water, the plant will lose flowers and fruit, or the fruit will shrivel and dry out, losing its value. However, it is necessary to avoid waterlogging that damages the roots, so it is quite suitable for sandy soil. According to records, passion fruit grown on sandy soil grows well, grows quickly, has larger and sweeter fruits than on loam soil, with an expected yield of 25-30 tons/ha/year. While the average selling price at the garden is 20,000 VND/kg, after deducting investment costs, in the first year, not only can passion fruit recover capital faster than some other crops, but it can also bring in a profit of about 100 million VND/ha.

Hoang Kim passion fruit grows well in Binh Thuan. Photo: N.Lan

According to observations in the garden, the passion fruit trellis is designed in a "U" shape, 1.6 - 1.8 m high and the entire irrigation and fertilization system is automatic. In addition, the passion fruit is cultivated organically, reducing the amount of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. According to the technical staff of the Provincial Agricultural Extension Center, Hoang Kim passion fruit is suitable for sandy soil, the tree grows and develops quickly, the fruit is large, and is rarely attacked by pests. With the initial effectiveness of the passion fruit growing model, in 2025, Mr. Duoc's household is planning to continue planting 1 hectare of passion fruit, producing according to VietGAP standards to develop the economy and serve tourists.

The provincial Agricultural Extension Center said that in 2025, the unit will continue to replicate the Hoang Kim passion fruit growing model on ineffective dragon fruit gardens, contributing to the transformation of crop structure on a unit of cultivated land area. At the same time, step by step orienting organic production to increase income for people. In addition, improving the agricultural ecological environment to adapt to climate change, combined with agricultural tourism.

Source: https://baobinhthuan.com.vn/hieu-qua-chuyen-doi-trong-cay-chanh-day-hoang-kim-129680.html