The effectiveness of the pineapple cultivation model in Lia commune.

QTO - Amidst the hills of Thuan 1 village, Lia commune, Mr. Le Duc Son's pineapple garden is entering its harvest season. The pineapple plants, laden with golden fruit under the canopy of bananas, coffee, and other fruit trees, not only provide a substantial income for his family but also open up new economic development opportunities for people in this border region.

Mr. Le Duc Son from Lia commune introduces a high-yield pineapple variety - Photo: LA

Speaking with us, Mr. Son said that about five years ago, he happened to buy pineapple seedlings from the South to eat. Noticing the fruit's intensely sweet, fragrant, and juicy taste, he decided to try growing this variety locally. He immediately started propagating the tops and shoots. Because he only bought them to eat and kept the tops and shoots for propagation, he didn't know the exact name of the pineapple variety, simply calling it "pineapple clump."

After a period of care, the plants grew well, and he continued to propagate them by separating young shoots. After nearly two years of persistent cultivation and propagation, Mr. Son has now developed a pineapple plantation covering nearly 3 hectares, which is currently yielding harvests.

Through practical experience in cultivation, Mr. Son found that this pineapple variety is very suitable for the hilly land in Lia commune. The plants are healthy, grow well, are less susceptible to pests and diseases, and yield a very high number of fruits per plant. On average, after 2 years of planting and care, each pineapple plant yields 6-7 fruits; and from the 3rd year onwards, it can reach 17-18 fruits.

In particular, this pineapple variety has the great advantage of not needing to be replanted after each harvest. After harvesting, growers only need to prune the old plants close to the base and allow new shoots to continue growing for the next season. This significantly saves farmers on seed costs and labor.

Mr. Le Duc Son in Lia commune is tending to and pruning pineapple plants to promote fruit development - Photo: LA

According to Mr. Son's calculations, the total investment cost for the pineapple plantation currently accounts for only about 20-30% of the revenue. This mainly includes fertilizer, irrigation, and labor; since there haven't been many pests or diseases affecting the pineapple plants, he hardly needs to use pesticides. Meanwhile, the produce is consistently purchased by traders at a price of around 15,000 VND/kg. In 2025, despite being the first harvest, his family achieved a yield of nearly 15 tons. This year, the expected yield is over 20 tons. After deducting expenses, this brings in a profit of 180-200 million VND per harvest.

Not only is this model highly productive, but it is also considered suitable for the production conditions of people in mountainous areas because the cultivation techniques are not too complicated. According to Mr. Son's experience, the planting density plays a very important role in ensuring good plant growth. Specifically, the most suitable distance is about 2m between rows and 60-70cm between plants. If planted more densely, the plants will lack ventilation, develop poorly, and affect their fruit-bearing capacity.

In addition, pineapple plants need a certain amount of shade to prevent the fruit from getting sunburned during hot weather. Therefore, he chose to intercrop pineapples under the canopy of trees such as bananas, coffee, and durian. This method not only helps increase income per unit area but also creates ideal shade, protecting the pineapples from the intense heat in the highlands.

The model of intercropping pineapples with other fruit trees by Mr. Le Duc Son in Thuan 1 village, Lia commune - Photo: LA

According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Phuong Thuy, an official at the Lia Commune General Service Center, Mr. Son's pineapple cultivation model has initially shown clear effectiveness in both yield and economic value. This is considered a suitable direction for developing the hill and garden economy in the locality.

However, for sustainable development, growers need to focus on technical processes from soil preparation and planting to care. Specifically, the soil needs to be carefully treated to ensure good aeration and drainage. During the dry season, the plants must be watered regularly to prevent wilting, especially during the fruiting stage. After harvesting, pruning close to the base is also mandatory to encourage the growth of new shoots, preparing for the next crop.

Ms. Thuy said that, based on the practical effectiveness of the model, the locality is currently implementing the MD2 honey pineapple intercropping model for 25 households, with a scale of 1 sao (approximately 1000 square meters) per household.

Accordingly, pineapples are intercropped with existing crops such as bananas, cassava, coffee, or forestry trees. This method not only increases income per unit area but also helps retain moisture, prevent soil erosion, reduce weeds, and lower maintenance costs. At the same time, to ensure sustainability, the local authorities are actively connecting with businesses and cooperatives to secure stable markets, gradually expanding the model and aiming to build a distinctive brand for Lìa commune's honey pineapples.

Le An

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/kinh-te/202605/hieu-qua-mo-hinh-trong-dua-khom-o-xa-lia-cfc6317/