Sweet pineapple flavor from Pú Nhung

Although pineapples have only recently been introduced as intercrops with macadamia and coffee trees in a "short-term gain for long-term growth" approach, pineapple cultivation in Pú Nhung commune (Điện Biên province) is demonstrating outstanding economic value; thereby opening up new development directions by increasing production value, processing, and the raw material area for OCOP products bearing the Pú Nhung brand.

During the pineapple harvest season, the fields in Pú Nhung commune are always bustling with people and vehicles.

In May, across the fields and hillsides of the villages of De Chia A, De Chia B, Phieng Pi, Chua Lu... vast expanses of lush green new crops such as macadamia and coffee are interspersed with rows of pineapples, their leaves sprouting profusely, their fruits large and plump; the sweet aroma of ripe pineapples wafts in the wind.

While busy harvesting pineapples, a resident of De Chia B village happily shared: "Previously, we mainly grew corn, a traditional crop, but the yield wasn't high and the prices were unstable. In recent years, the villagers have switched to new crops like macadamia nuts and coffee, and intercropped them with pineapples."

According to the head of De Chia B village, Lau A Vang, the village has 147 families with nearly 700 inhabitants. Initially, the villagers only planned to intercrop pineapples as a short-term crop to support long-term growth, because pineapples can be harvested quickly, while coffee plants take 3 years and macadamia trees take 6 years to yield fruit. Compared to corn, pineapples are 2-3 times more economically efficient and have a stable yield. As a result, after only a short time, many families have seen a significant increase in income and are gradually escaping poverty.

Thanks to intercropping pineapples with coffee and macadamia nuts, the family of Mr. Lau A Sung in De Chia B village has gradually escaped poverty. He said: "In the first pineapple harvest in 2024, my family harvested more than 11 tons, earning about 80 million VND. Since having income from pineapples, our family's life has improved significantly, and we have the means to take care of our children's education."

In the same village of De Chia B, the family of Mr. Giang A Thao cultivates over 5,000 m² of pineapples, currently yielding approximately 12 tons. With the income from selling pineapples, he invested in buying macadamia and coffee seedlings to plant on his new farm; his family's life has gradually become more prosperous.

According to Comrade Nguyen Van Bach, Chairman of the People's Committee of Pu Nhung commune: The entire commune currently has 320 hectares of pineapple planted intercropped with macadamia and coffee trees, yielding outstanding economic results. For the new pineapple season, people have registered to plant an additional 100 hectares using concentrated and intercropping methods.

To reassure pineapple growers about product output and prevent the situation of "bumper harvest, low prices," the leaders of Pú Nhung commune proactively called upon and sought out processing companies to survey the area; they also provided information to help businesses and farmers work together to find a stable production direction for pineapples.

With the support and facilitation of the commune, Dong Giao Export Food Joint Stock Company has signed a cooperation agreement with the locality, committing to purchasing all the pineapples from the people. This is considered an important "lever" that helps pineapple growers feel secure in their production and expand their cultivated area.

Besides expanding the cultivated area and supporting product consumption, the People's Committee of Pú Nhung commune has identified a roadmap for building an OCOP brand for pineapple products under the Pú Nhung brand.

Comrade Nguyen Van Bach stated: With the advantages of large area, concentrated growing regions, product quality, and especially the participation of businesses, Pu Nhung pineapple has all the conditions to develop into a typical OCOP product of the locality. Once recognized as an OCOP product, the product will have a more solid foothold in the market, opening up opportunities to access large distribution channels and aiming for export.

The involvement of local authorities, businesses, and the people of Pú Nhung commune has created an effective agricultural development model, contributing to improving people's lives and promoting local socio-economic development.

Text and photos: LE LAN

Source: https://nhandan.vn/ngot-ngao-huong-dua-pu-nhung-post960998.html