Khanh Hoa: Specialty trees grow in the middle of the forest

Green direction for mountainous agriculture

On the hillsides where the wind blows all year round and the sun shines brightly, the trees of durian, green-skinned grapefruit, Thai jackfruit, banana, mangosteen… now cover the mountains of Khanh Hoa . The lands that were once considered “lowlands” of the region are gradually changing, becoming fertile fruit valleys, opening up a new and promising direction for local agriculture.

*Sakura Farm has become a typical organic durian growing model in Dong Khanh Son commune. Photo: Nguyen Thanh - VNA*

In recent years, the movement of converting to high-value crops has spread strongly in mountainous communes such as Tay Khanh Son, Dong Khanh Son, Trung Khanh Vinh... From small fields, people have turned barren land into lush green gardens, producing sweet fruits all year round. Many households have become well-off, and their material and spiritual lives have been increasingly improved.

According to Mr. Nguyen Duy Quang, Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Khanh Hoa province, after merging the boundaries, the province has prioritized the development of specialty crops suitable for the climate and soil conditions of mountainous areas such as durian, grapefruit, apple, grape, etc. "These crops not only bring high income but can also be combined with community tourism and eco-tourism to increase value, helping people get rich right on their homeland," Mr. Quang shared.

One of the brightest spots in Khanh Hoa agriculture today is the trend of switching to organic farming, applying science and technology. Modern farms and new-style agricultural cooperatives have appeared more and more, bringing mountainous agricultural products to a new level of quality.

In Dong Khanh Son commune, Sakura Farm has become a typical model. On an area of 5 hectares, the farm grows more than 700 organic durian trees of Musang King and Ri6 varieties, with an average yield of 100 kg per tree, twice as high as before. Notably, all products meet strict standards for export to Europe.

Farm owner Nguyen Pham Minh Man said the secret to success lies in the combination of technology and “natural” thinking. A modern pressurized irrigation system helps save water and distribute nutrients properly. Data on soil, humidity and microorganisms is collected and processed by artificial intelligence (AI) to adjust the crop care process. “Organic farming is a long-term journey, but as the market increasingly values clean agricultural products, this is the most sustainable direction,” Mr. Man shared.

Not only stopping at the process, Sakura Farm also focuses on ecological value. Weeds are retained to protect moisture, providing shelter for natural enemies; organic fertilizers completely replace chemical fertilizers; water sources are strictly controlled. Each durian here is not only a product of labor, but also the crystallization of knowledge, technology and love for the land.

Thanks to that, this model quickly spread inspiration to many other farmers in the area. Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Danh, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Dong Khanh Son Commune, said: "Sakura Farm is becoming a model for organic agricultural production. The government will continue to support people to learn and apply advanced technical processes to expand the area and build a local brand."

Sweet fruits from knowledge and desire for change

If Dong Khanh Son is known for its organic durian, then in Trung Khanh Vinh, people stand out with lush green-skinned grapefruit gardens. The grapefruit trees here not only produce sweet fruit but also symbolize the spirit of learning and daring to change.

Ms. Tran Kim Hoa, a farmer in Hon Lay village, is one of the pioneers in applying organic techniques to farming. After attending training courses on plant protection, she replaced chemical fertilizers with biological fertilizers and composted manure, combined with manual weeding to retain moisture and improve the soil. “Thanks to the correct application of techniques, my grapefruit garden has few pests and diseases, the fruits are big and beautiful, and the price is 3,000 - 5,000 VND/kg higher than before,” Ms. Hoa shared.

Khanh Vinh green-skin grapefruit is popular with consumers and is a new brand of the mountainous region of Khanh Hoa.

Currently, the communes of Khanh Vinh, Trung Khanh Vinh, Bac Khanh Vinh, Tay Khanh Vinh and Nam Khanh Vinh have about 600 hectares of green-skinned grapefruit, of which more than 300 hectares are being harvested with an output of over 1,400 tons per year. Green-skinned grapefruit is now not only a staple crop but also a new brand of the mountainous region of Khanh Hoa.

According to Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Son, Deputy Director of the Department of Ethnic Minorities and Religions of Khanh Hoa province, the effective implementation of the National Target Program on Socio-Economic Development in Ethnic Minorities and Mountainous Areas has created a strong push. “People have begun to shift from traditional production models to the application of science and technology; many cooperatives have been invested in to improve production processes, register growing areas and connect with consumers. This is an important foundation for sustainable economic development,” Mr. Son emphasized.

Along with organic agriculture, the development of agricultural tourism is also expanding. Visitors to Khanh Son and Khanh Vinh can visit durian, grapefruit, jackfruit, and banana gardens; witness the organic farming process and enjoy fruits in the garden. “Farming is now not only about selling products, but also about sharing stories about green living and sustainable farming,” added Mr. Man, owner of Sakura Farm.

The combination of agriculture and tourism has created a "multi-value" model, helping to increase income and at the same time promote the image of the mountainous land of Khanh Hoa to domestic and foreign tourists.

It can be seen that from the barren hills of the past, today, Khanh Hoa mountainous agriculture has put on a new coat. Lush green specialty gardens, modern organic farms, young and dynamic cooperatives are breathing new life into this land.

That is the result of the spirit of daring to think, daring to do; of the desire to get rich legitimately; of the companionship between the government, businesses and farmers. It is also proof that, amidst the vast sun and wind, if there is faith and knowledge, Khanh Hoa's specialty trees can still grow strongly and bear sweet fruit.

The plump durians and the heavy green-skinned grapefruits are not only the “sweet fruits” of the land but also the sweet fruits of the people, of the aspiration to build and get rich from green, sustainable agriculture. And from today, amidst that rich green color, Khanh Hoa is affirming its new position: a specialty agricultural area, ecological agriculture reaching out in the middle of the vast forest.

Source: https://congthuong.vn/khanh-hoa-cay-dac-san-vuon-minh-giua-dai-ngan-429954.html