Fruit ripening season in Trung Tam ward

Every summer, Trung Tam ward enters its fruit ripening season with many types of fruit trees simultaneously yielding their harvests. Across the hillsides and orchards, clusters of bright red plums, plump pomelos, dragon fruit, cantaloupe, watermelons… all come into season, providing a stable income for many households. Besides contributing to economic development, these fruit orchards also open up new avenues for agricultural tourism experiences in the area.

Trung Tam Ward currently has 382 hectares of fruit trees with an annual yield of nearly 1,000 tons. Thanks to the suitable climate and soil, the fruit trees here yield harvests almost year-round, but the busiest time is still summer.

From April to the end of June is the peak season for plums, cantaloupes, honeydews, watermelons, mangoes, and lychees; followed by the longan, custard apple, and dragon fruit season, which lasts from July to September. Among summer fruits, plums are always the most anticipated.

These days, the plum orchard of Mr. Tran Ba ​​Duc's family in residential area No. 21 is always bustling with people picking plums. On the wide-spreading branches, clusters of plums hang heavy, their reddish-purple hues glistening in the summer sun.

Mr. Duc said that his family started harvesting early plums in early April, selling them for around 70,000 VND/kg. Currently, it's peak season, so the price fluctuates from 25,000 to 50,000 VND/kg and is expected to last until the end of June.

Mr. Tran Ba ​​Duc is picking plums.

The family primarily uses organic fertilizers and biological pesticides. When the trees flower and bear fruit, they combine this with the use of biological traps to control fruit flies. The fruit is isolated for a sufficient period before harvesting to ensure safety, and visitors to the orchard can pick and eat it directly, Mr. Duc shared.

Besides focusing on fruit quality, the orchard is also meticulously cared for, with trees planted in scientific rows and spaced appropriately to allow for even canopy development. With 150 plum trees over 15 years old, the family expects to harvest more than 8 tons of fruit this year.

Besides plums, Mr. Duc's family also grows red-fleshed dragon fruit, golden star apple, peaches, apples, etc. Their total income after deducting expenses reaches over 400 million VND per year.

Mr. Pham Xuan Nhuan, head of residential group No. 21 in Trung Tam ward, said: "Currently, the entire group has 125 households growing fruit trees on an area of ​​110 hectares, of which plum trees account for over 32 hectares, generating revenue of approximately 80 billion VND. We hope for a more stable market and to build a brand for the local fruit-growing region."

Plum trees bring economic benefits to many households in Trung Tam ward.

According to many local residents, plum trees in the Central area typically bloom three times a year. Besides the main season, the trees can also produce off-season flowers in November and March. The yield isn't high, but the selling price is significantly higher. While main-season plums cost around 15,000 VND/kg, off-season plums can sometimes reach 70,000 VND/kg.

Besides plums, many other local fruit trees also yield significant economic benefits. Mr. Phan Van Luong's family in Trung Tam ward currently owns about 2 hectares of orchards planted with green pomelos, Tam Hoa plums, dragon fruit, etc. This includes over 200 green pomelo trees producing approximately 2 tons of fruit annually at an average price of 40,000 VND/kg; along with over 200 Tam Hoa plum trees and over 100 dragon fruit trees. After deducting expenses, the family earns 400 million VND per year.

Mr. Phan Van Luong takes care of his green pomelo orchard.

According to local residents, fruit trees are well-suited to the local climate and soil. With proper care, the trees grow well, are less susceptible to pests and diseases, and yield stable productivity. This is also why many households have boldly switched to different crops, gradually forming concentrated areas for commercial production.

In recent years, to meet market demands, residents of Trung Tam ward have been promoting safe agricultural production. Biological pesticides are preferred, while the use of harmful chemicals is minimized. Many households are increasing their use of organic fertilizers and well-rotted manure to improve soil quality and ensure product safety.

The plum orchards are laden with fruit.

Fruit trees bring economic benefits to local farmers.

Ms. Vu Thi Thanh, Vice Chairperson of the People's Committee of Trung Tam Ward, said that the locality is encouraging people to develop clean agriculture associated with tourism experiences.

Recently, many tourist groups have visited and experienced the fruit orchards in the area. Visitors can pick fruit themselves, learn about the cultivation process, and enjoy the produce right in the orchard. After the trip, most tourists buy produce to take home as gifts, and many even place orders afterward.

Vu Thi Thanh - Vice Chairperson of the People's Committee of Trung Tam Ward

Building on the economic benefits of fruit trees, Trung Tam ward is gradually developing experiential tourism models linked to agriculture and local culture.

In June, the ward plans to organize the Four Seasons Fruit Festival to promote local agricultural products, stimulate tourism, and introduce experiential models to visitors from within and outside the province.

A corner of the orchard area.

When this experience is developed systematically, it will not only be an effective way to consume local agricultural products but also open up opportunities for the development of agricultural tourism, an impressive highlight on the tourism route of the western region of Lao Cai province.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/mua-qua-chin-o-phuong-trung-tam-post899966.html