Banana cultivation model for fiber production.

Mr. Huan takes care of his banana plantation using proper techniques.

With over 1,000 banana trees supported by the Kim Son commune's pink banana planting project, Mr. Huan focused on caring for and pruning the seedlings according to proper techniques. After 6 months of planting and caring, the banana trees are growing and developing well. They will be ready for harvest in the next 2-3 months, providing motivation for his family to confidently continue production. Mr. Dinh Tuyen Huan, from Hamlet 3, Nhai Tho, Kim Son commune, Bao Yen district, shared: "This is our first year, and following the guided techniques, my family is trying our best to plant according to the correct procedures. We hope for good results."

Along with expanding the banana cultivation area and increasing the economic value of bananas, Kim Son commune has partnered with Thuong Nong Cooperative in Phu Tho province to open a banana stem purchasing and stripping workshop in Nhai Tho village, Hamlet 2. Equipped with 4 stripping machines, the workshop has a capacity of approximately 2 tons per day. After more than 3 months of operation, it has purchased over 10.5 tons of fresh banana stems, producing over 110 kg of finished fiber, which sells for about 90,000 VND/kg. Mr. Luong Van Ngoc, head of the production team at Thuong Nong Cooperative, Nhai Tho village, Kim Son commune, Bao Yen district, shared: "The banana processing process begins with using banana stems that are at least one year old, about 1 meter long. Then, they are split using a machine, the outer layers are peeled off, and then the stems are shredded into fibers, which are then dried."

After harvesting the banana stems, people process them to extract fibers, significantly increasing their economic value.

Kim Son currently has nearly 50 hectares of various banana varieties. With the model of cultivating red Cavendish bananas for fiber, this year, farmers have planted over 19 hectares, bringing the total area of red Cavendish bananas to nearly 30 hectares. With this type of banana, after about 9 months of planting, the trees will bear fruit, then the stems are harvested for fiber and other products, significantly increasing economic value. This creates motivation for people to focus on caring for and developing this key crop. Mr. Nguyen Van Buoi, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the People's Council of Kim Son commune, Bao Yen district, said: "In the coming time, the commune will continue to expand this model to develop the economy for the people in the commune."

With the attention of the Party committees and authorities, along with the dynamism of the people of Kim Son commune, the model of growing bananas for fiber has been identified as a new direction, promoting production development along the value chain, developing a sustainable economy, and increasing income for farmers.

Ngoc Minh - The Clan Leader

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