The cooperative has oranges that are twice as expensive as the market price.

PHU THO By properly preventing pests and investing in post-harvest processing, 3T Farm Cooperative in Phu Tho (formerly Cao Phong, Hoa Binh) sells oranges at twice the market price.

Once the orange capital of Hoa Binh province (old), orange farmers in Cao Phong district were in trouble because of pests, especially diseases caused by fungi and bacteria such as yellow leaves, root rot, greening... In that situation, there were still bright spots like 3T Farm Cooperative. They not only overcame pests but also increased the value of their products and diversified their orange products.

3T Farm Cooperative's fruit-laden orange trees before the 2025 harvest. Photo: Tung Dinh.

Since around 2014, Cao Phong oranges have been a big hit, with prices reaching up to 20,000 VND/kg, traders don't need to choose but buy the whole garden at the same price. Due to the rapid expansion of acreage, oversupply, and the appearance of many diseases, Cao Phong oranges have dropped in price, down to only half of their peak.

In 2016, Ms. Vu Thi Le Thuy - Director of 3T Farm Cooperative (formerly Cao Phong district) decided to build a production group, coordinate with the Department of Cultivation and Plant Protection of Hoa Binh province to train in cultivation processes to ensure plant health, prevent pests and ensure food hygiene and safety. "We apply biological measures, use moth and fruit fly traps to prevent pests, reduce the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers," Ms. Thuy said.

Ms. Vu Thi Le Thuy, Director of 3T Farm Cooperative, inspects the orange garden. Photo: Tung Dinh.

In 2028, she and several families in the area established a cooperative with 7 members. To date, the number of members has increased to 15, with a total orange area of ​​about 20 hectares. Thanks to focusing on investment, compliance with production processes, and proper pest control, the cooperative's orange price has gradually stabilized and increased year by year, even though there was a period when Cao Phong oranges lost value. In 2024, the average market price of oranges was only about 20,000 VND/kg, while the cooperative's selling price was up to 45,000 VND/kg.

With an area of ​​20 hectares, 3T Farm Cooperative's orange output is about 200 tons/year. The cooperative's oranges have been produced for many years according to VietGAP process and have been recognized as 4-star OCOP products in 2020. The cooperative also invests in post-harvest processing. In normal orange gardens, each worker cuts 2-4 quintals of oranges/day and then puts them in boxes for sale, but at 3T Farm, oranges are carefully selected.

Trapping moths with lights at 3T Farm Cooperative. Photo: Tung Dinh.

“After cutting from the tree, we have to cut close to the stem, select by size, then put it in an ozone machine to disinfect. Before aeration, workers will check and remove fruit infected with fruit flies, ensuring there is no risk of damage during transportation. Thanks to compliance with pest control procedures as recommended by the authorities, along with investment in preliminary processing, our oranges still sell well despite their high prices,” Ms. Thuy shared.

To continue to increase product value and expand the market, 3T Farm Cooperative is implementing an electronic farming diary system. Ms. Thuy and her members also organize training and study on farming processes to meet Halal market standards. The Cooperative is also researching and diversifying processed orange products.

Fruit fly traps are hung on orange trees at 3T Farm Cooperative. Photo: Tung Dinh.

In addition to fresh oranges, 3T Farm Cooperative is also producing processed products from oranges such as orange jam, pure orange powder... The processed products best retain the color and characteristic flavor of Cao Phong oranges.

The Cooperative has invested in a modern machinery system to process in a closed process instead of using the manual method as before, including a freeze dryer system and a vacuum condenser. With the vacuum condenser system, the orange jam product is condensed at a temperature of 40 - 60 degrees Celsius. The final product when packaged in jars will retain its characteristic color and flavor. The Cooperative's orange products are good for health, carrying the message "Good soil - Good breed - Good from the heart".

Source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/htx-co-cam-dat-gap-doi-thi-truong-d780621.html