The pomelo orchards in Van Don area, Chan Mong commune, yield relatively stable productivity and quality, with attractive appearance.
The harvest season for Van Don pomelos usually begins in October-November and lasts until just before, or even after, the Lunar New Year. As Tet approaches, the pomelo orchards become increasingly bustling. People are busy tending to the trees and selecting the most beautiful pomelos to supply the Tet market. More than just a fruit to enjoy, pomelos hold deep spiritual value in Vietnamese culture. On the Tet fruit platter, the round, plump pomelo symbolizes abundance, prosperity, and a wish for a peaceful and prosperous new year.
As one of the long-time pomelo growers in the area, Ms. Nguyen Thi Dinh shared: To get delicious, beautiful pomelos that can be preserved for a long time until Tet (Lunar New Year), growers must be very meticulous from the care to harvesting and preservation stages. According to her, good pomelos are those with a balanced shape, small stems, smooth skin, and a natural reddish-pink or bright yellow color, and especially those free from anthracnose disease. After harvesting, the pomelos are carefully sorted, and those that meet the standards are stored in traditional woven baskets, helping to preserve their flavor and quality for a long time.
In 2021, Van Don pomelo was recognized as meeting OCOP standards, opening up a sustainable development path for the local specialty agricultural product.
In recent years, to proactively secure a market for their produce, Ms. Dinh's family has partnered with the Van Don Pomelo and General Services Cooperative for product distribution. As a result, pomelo production and sales have become increasingly stable. On average, her family harvests about 10,000 pomelos annually, generating over 100 million VND in revenue, contributing to improved living standards and economic stability.
It's not just Ms. Dinh's household; hundreds of households in the entire Van Don area are involved in pomelo cultivation. According to Mr. Dao Manh Dat, Director of the Van Don Pomelo and General Services Cooperative, the entire area currently has about 750 households growing pomelos with a total area of over 161 hectares. The varieties grown are quite diverse, including Cat Que pomelo, Dien Tom Vang pomelo, Dien Tom Xanh pomelo, green-skinned pomelo, and wrinkled-leaf pomelo... Each variety has its own characteristics, contributing to the richness of Van Don's pomelo products.
Locals were instructed on techniques for caring for and harvesting pomelos.
Recognizing the role of science and technology in agricultural production, in recent years, local people have actively applied safe farming practices, aiming for production according to VietGAP standards. The use of fertilizers and pesticides is strictly controlled, contributing to improved quality and ensuring safety for consumers. In addition, the Cooperative has taken the lead in linking, providing technical guidance, building brands, and organizing product sales for the people.
In particular, since Van Don pomelo was recognized as a 3-star OCOP product in 2021, its value and reputation have been significantly enhanced. The market is no longer limited to the province but is gradually expanding to many other provinces and cities. Currently, Van Don pomelo is available in supermarkets, OCOP product showrooms and stores both within and outside the province, as well as on e-commerce platforms, opening up new avenues for local agricultural products in the context of digital transformation.
Van Don pomelos are carefully packaged and sold in many provinces and cities throughout the country.
Recognizing pomelo as one of its key crops with high economic value, Chan Mong commune has been implementing many comprehensive solutions to develop the pomelo growing area sustainably. These solutions focus on projects to improve the quality and appearance of specialty pomelos; providing advice and transferring advanced scientific and technical knowledge; supporting the provision of fertilizers and pesticides; and promoting trade, advertising products, and seeking and expanding stable markets for local farmers.
Every Lunar New Year, trucks loaded with Van Don pomelos travel to all corners of the country. These plump, sweet, and fragrant pomelos are not only the result of the diligent labor of farmers in the midland region but also a heartfelt gift, conveying the taste of home to friends and relatives near and far.
Amidst the vibrant spring atmosphere, Van Don pomelo continues to affirm its position as a traditional specialty, contributing to the enrichment of the homeland and carrying with it the hope for a prosperous and successful new year.
Le Oanh
Source: https://baophutho.vn/ngot-thom-trai-buoi-van-don-247376.htm
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