Increase income by growing Thai jackfruit.

Việt Nam•20/03/2024

Mr. Vo Van Hung , from Xom Tro 2 hamlet, Chau Hung commune, Thanh Tri district ( Soc Trang province), is tending his jackfruit orchard. Photo: HOANG PHUC

Welcoming me to his jackfruit orchard, which had just been harvested, Mr. Hung excitedly shared: “If only you had come a few days earlier, you would have had jackfruit to eat. I just finished harvesting, and the traders bought it all up at over 20,000 VND/kg, earning tens of millions of VND in total. Now I'm nurturing the trees to continue with the second jackfruit crop of the year. Initially, I see that the profit from growing jackfruit is higher than growing rice, and the planting techniques and care are not too difficult; with determination and diligence, it can be done.”

Previously, in an effort to diversify crops and livestock for higher economic efficiency, Mr. Hung boldly converted 3 acres of rice paddy land to cultivate Thai jackfruit. This crop is well-suited to the local soil conditions and has yielded positive results, contributing to increased income for his family. “I’ve lived here since I was a child, so I’m used to farming and the uncertainty of agricultural product prices. I work year-round but don’t accumulate much wealth. I’ve always thought about developing my family’s economy by growing crops other than rice. Then, when the local government introduced a crop conversion program, in 2020, I boldly converted 3 acres of rice paddies to plant 450 Thai jackfruit trees. I also diligently learned from experienced farmers, participated in training courses on scientific and technical transfer organized by the agricultural sector, and visited successful models… After nearly two years, the jackfruit trees started bearing fruit, and the price of jackfruit is relatively stable, bringing a significant income to my family. I also proactively contact fruit wholesalers, so I’m always confident about the market for my jackfruit . Compared to growing rice, the income from growing jackfruit is much higher,” Mr. Vo Van Hung confided.

Mr. Hung's jackfruit orchard provides a stable income year-round. Thanks to the consistent price of 25,000 - 30,000 VND/kg, his family earns hundreds of millions of VND annually, helping them become quite wealthy. In addition, many local farmers often visit to learn from this effective method to develop their own family businesses.

According to Mr. Hung, Thai jackfruit has many advantages such as large fruit, thick flesh, sweet taste, fragrant and crispy texture, and versatility in various products, making it popular in the market and ensuring stable demand. However, jackfruit trees have a short lifespan, so to ensure good growth, young fruits should be thinned out and algae should be prevented from growing on the tree. Regular inspection and pruning of damaged branches are also necessary. On average, pesticides should be sprayed every 10-15 days to control pests and provide nutrients for better fruit development. Furthermore, due to its early fruiting characteristic, Thai jackfruit trees bear fruit after only two years and continue to bear fruit year-round; although the tree produces many fruits, thinning is necessary to leave only 2-3 fruits to prevent the tree from losing strength and to ensure larger fruits.

Comrade Tram Thai Tan - Vice Chairman of Chau Hung Commune People's Committee, said: “The Thai jackfruit cultivation model of Mr. Vo Van Hung's household in Xom Tro 2 hamlet is one of the effective models in the commune in implementing crop and livestock conversion, contributing to increasing income, stabilizing the lives of households, and contributing to the socio-economic development of the locality. The Commune People's Committee regularly coordinates with specialized departments to provide technical support to Mr. Vo Van Hung's household and other households to improve production efficiency. In the future, the Commune People's Committee will replicate effective production models, including Mr. Hung's Thai jackfruit cultivation model, to contribute to increasing people's income.”

With a stable annual income from Mr. Hung's jackfruit orchard, it is clear that the Thai jackfruit cultivation model has great potential in contributing to increasing the income of local households; it is an effective direction for crop and livestock diversification. The Thai jackfruit cultivation model will be even more effective if it receives strong support from all levels and sectors in linking the consumption of commercial jackfruit.

HOANG PHUC

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