Effectiveness of organic grapefruit growing model

STO - In the past 5 years, programs and projects in the agricultural sector supporting farmers to produce organic agriculture have contributed to changing the production practices of most farmers growing rice, crops and fruit trees. From the practical benefits of applying organic production to crops, Mr. Nguyen Huu Chinh, Phu Thu hamlet, Phu Huu commune, Long Phu district (Soc Trang) soon converted his traditional green-skin pomelo garden to organic farming, contributing to bringing in a good source of income for his family.

Mr. Nguyen Huu Chinh, Phu Thu hamlet, Phu Huu commune, Long Phu district ( Soc Trang ) next to his organically grown green-skinned grapefruit garden in fruiting season. Photo: THUY LIEU

Mr. Nguyen Huu Chinh's green-skinned grapefruit garden has an area of 0.7 hectares. The grapefruit is 9 years old and has been harvested for more than 5 years. During the entire growing process until the grapefruit was harvested for 1-2 years, Mr. Chinh cultivated according to tradition. Although the grapefruit tree was regularly supplemented with fertilizer and pesticides, the fruit yield did not increase, the tree grew slowly. The soil under the tree became harder and harder, making it difficult for the tree to absorb fertilizer, leading to the grapefruit tree not growing as expected. With the guidance of the professional sector, Mr. Chinh chose to follow the VietGAP process and has applied the organic grapefruit growing process for the past 3 years.

Mr. Nguyen Huu Chinh shared: “In 2019 and 2020, my family's grapefruit garden was surveyed and selected by Que Lam Group to support 100% of Que Lam organic fertilizer for grapefruit trees, along with biological pesticides used on tree trunks. In addition, the group also sent staff to support grapefruit growing techniques throughout the cultivation process. Along with that, the company guaranteed the output of fruit products after harvest. In 2 seasons (2019 and 2020), the grapefruit garden used completely organic fertilizers and biological pesticides, so the grapefruit trees grew well, the quality of the fruit met grade 1 standards, accounting for more than 90%, bringing in an output of 4 tons/0.7ha/year. The price of grapefruit purchased by Que Lam Group is from 38,000 - 42,000 VND/kg (depending on the time), after deducting costs, the profit is more than 150 million VND/crop/year. In 2022, the grapefruit garden of My family has received organic fertilizer support from the Soc Trang Provincial Agricultural Extension Center. Thanks to that, grapefruit cultivation is very favorable, ensuring good tree growth when using a continuous amount of organic fertilizer, especially helping to reduce cultivation costs. In the 2022 crop season alone, grapefruit output is more than 5 tons, after deducting all costs, the profit is over 120 million VND. In the 2023 grapefruit crop season, the trees are bearing fruit, the estimated post-harvest output is about 6 tons of fruit, Que Lam Group will cover the output.

Mr. Chinh's experience in growing grapefruit organically is that in addition to using the company's organic fertilizer, he also adds cow manure to the plants. When using cow manure to fertilize grapefruit trees, it must be processed according to the correct technical process and comply with the instructions of the professional industry. The grapefruit garden must have a drainage ditch dug so that in the rainy season, rainwater can drain quickly, avoiding the garden being flooded for a long time. In addition, to save time watering the garden, an automatic sprinkler system should be installed, and in the dry season, the garden should be watered twice a week. Visit the garden regularly, and spray medicine to prevent and treat diseases when the plants are found to be sick.

Comrade Vo Van Be - Director of Soc Trang Agricultural Extension Center acknowledged that Mr. Nguyen Huu Chinh's green-skinned grapefruit garden applying organic farming is considered a very successful model and brings good economic efficiency to the gardeners. Because through many production monitoring seasons, the grapefruit garden always achieves increased productivity every year, especially the fruit is delicious and sweet, the amount of water in the grapefruit segments is always guaranteed. From the fact that Mr. Huu Chinh's organic grapefruit growing model has achieved the above efficiency, the unit will continue to replicate the model to localities in the province.

THUY LIEU

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