After retiring, Mr. Tran Phu Loc (71 years old, residing in Ward 3, Da Lat City) boldly invested billions of VND to start a business with a wind-dried persimmon production model. With a strategic vision and unwavering determination, he became one of the pioneers in bringing Japanese technology into the production process, helping to improve the quality and value of Da Lat wind-dried persimmon specialties on the market.
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| Mr. Loc always focuses on quality, brand and value of the product. |
Having been attached to the highland for more than 40 years, Mr. Loc has witnessed all the ups and downs of Da Lat persimmon trees. Since the 1980s, persimmons have become a familiar crop, bringing a stable income to farmers. However, around 2010, the price of fresh persimmons dropped to a record low, only from 3,000 to 5,000 VND/kg. Faced with that situation, many farmers were forced to cut down persimmon trees to switch to other crops. “When I saw the persimmon tree facing the risk of extinction, I couldn’t bear it. I was determined to revive this tree, and at the same time build a unique brand from persimmons when I entered retirement age,” Mr. Loc shared.
With that passion, Mr. Loc did not hesitate to invest more than 200 million VND to go to Japan to learn the technology of producing wind-dried persimmons from leading experts. During 15 days of studying in Japan, he not only acquired advanced processing techniques but also meticulously studied each stage, from picking, selecting persimmons, drying, to operating modern machinery and building a product marketing strategy.
After finishing the course, returning to Da Lat, Mr. Loc boldly invested 1 billion VND to build a greenhouse system and equip it with modern equipment. In 2014, he officially started producing the first batch of wind-dried persimmons, with a total weight of 1 ton. This product quickly conquered the market thanks to its natural softness, fragrance, and sweetness - the characteristics that make Da Lat wind-dried persimmons attractive.
According to Mr. Loc, the quality of wind-dried persimmons depends largely on the raw materials and production process. Persimmons must meet the following standards: large size, ripe at the right time, and free of chemicals. After harvesting, persimmons are pre-processed, peeled, and sterilized before being dried. The special feature of this method is that persimmons are not dried directly under the sun, but through a greenhouse system with protective mesh to prevent insects from entering. The drying process lasts from 15 to 20 days, with fans operating continuously to maintain stable temperature and humidity.
One secret that Mr. Loc learned from Japan is the persimmon massage technique - this method helps the persimmon become soft, the natural sugar is secreted and condensed into a delicious honey layer, creating a unique and unmistakable flavor.
From the first batches of wind-dried persimmons, Mr. Loc’s factory has continuously developed, currently expanding to an area of 600 m², with an output of about 15 tons of persimmons per year. He shared: “Over the years, in addition to accumulating experience, I also focus on upgrading machinery and applying strict production processes. Product quality and reputation in business are always top priorities.”
Thanks to the dedication and persistent investment, Phu Loc dried persimmons have achieved 4-star OCOP certification, are a typical national product in 2015, and have won the trust of consumers. With a price of 400,000 to 500,000 VND/kg, the product not only generates billions of VND in revenue each year but also becomes one of the typical brands of Da Lat.
After more than 10 years in the profession, Mr. Loc has successfully built the brand of wind-dried persimmons, ensuring quality and maintaining a firm position in the market. To introduce Da Lat persimmon specialties to domestic and international friends, he also opened his 1.2-hectare rose garden to visitors. Mr. Loc's dream of creating a product with his personal mark upon retirement and promoting Da Lat specialties has come true!
Not only successful in business, Mr. Tran Phu Loc also creates stable jobs for 15 local workers with an income of 7.5 to 10 million VND per month. In particular, he is always willing to share his experience and transfer the technology of producing wind-dried persimmons to other farming households. Thanks to his support, many people have applied this model to develop their family economy , while contributing to environmental protection. The natural wind and sunlight drying technology he uses not only reduces pollution but also saves energy costs, creating an environmentally friendly production model.
Not resting on his initial successes, Mr. Loc shared that in the coming time, his family will continue to invest in expanding production scale, constantly improving product quality and expanding consumption markets. At the same time, he will continue to share experiences and transfer dried persimmon processing technology to farmers, helping them increase the value of traditional crops in Da Lat.
Source: http://baolamdong.vn/kinh-te/202501/nguoi-tien-phong-tao-dung-thuong-hieu-hong-treo-gio-da-lat-e7c15a3/
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