Joy on the pineapple plantations

In early January, as the festive atmosphere of Tet (Lunar New Year) begins to permeate the highland villages, on the hillsides of Ban Lau commune, Lao Cai province, farmers are busy harvesting their early pineapples. This is a much-anticipated pineapple harvest, not only because it yields a good harvest but also because it coincides with a time when demand is high, serving the Tet and New Year markets.

Thanks to the application of staggered planting techniques, with a growing period of about 12 months, many pineapple fields in Ban Lau have ripened on schedule. The golden-yellow pineapples, with their large, evenly sized eyes and plump shape, lie in rows on the terraces, signaling a successful harvest. Even more encouraging, this pineapple crop has been purchased by traders at high prices, bringing clear joy to the growers.

A bustling harvest atmosphere prevails on the pineapple plantations in Ban Lau commune.

Early in the morning, the pineapple plantation of Mr. Hoang Di Chu in Na Loc village, Ban Lau commune, was bustling with laughter and conversation. Today was the day his family began harvesting their 5,000 ^m² pineapple crop. Hands moved swiftly, cutting, sorting, and neatly arranging the pineapples in baskets for weighing. Mr. Chu said that his family has been involved with pineapple cultivation for over a decade.

Every year, around this time, the pineapple harvest begins. The early pineapple crop is usually harvested from November of the previous year and continues into the beginning of the new year. This year, the pineapple crop is abundant, with large, evenly sized fruits that are easy to sell. The selling price is over 12,000 VND/kg, and traders come directly to the fields to buy them, so the farmers are very happy.

Mr. Hoang Di Chu, Na Loc village, Ban Lau commune

Mr. Chu's family grows pineapples using a staggered planting method. His experience is that choosing healthy varieties, planting early, and following the correct care procedures will result in large and beautiful fruits.

Joy was clearly visible on the face of the pineapple farmer.

Currently, Mr. Chu's family has harvested about half of their land, and they will continue harvesting the rest in the coming days to sell to businesses and wholesale markets in time for the upcoming Tet holiday.

Not only Mr. Chu's family, but many other households in Ban Lau are also urgently harvesting pineapples. Those households that haven't harvested pineapples yet can do so in the pineapple fields within the village.

Ms. Sin Thi Don, from Coc Chu village, Ban Lau commune, said that her family planted fewer pineapples this year, so it's not yet harvest time. These days, she takes advantage of the opportunity to go to Mr. Chu's pineapple field to work, both to earn extra income and to help keep up with the harvest schedule.

“This year’s pineapples are big, uniform, and beautiful, fetching a better price than in previous years, so the orchard owners are paying higher wages for harvesting. The work of picking and carrying pineapples onto the truck is paid per kilogram, at 900 dong. This Tet holiday will definitely be more comfortable,” Ms. Don shared.

The early pineapple crop yields high productivity and good quality.

With a bountiful harvest and favorable prices, the atmosphere on the pineapple plantations is even more bustling. Harvesters, transporters, weighers… everyone is working diligently and enthusiastically.

For the people of Bản Lầu, each pineapple harvest, especially the early harvests, not only brings income but also creates seasonal jobs, helping many households earn extra income before Tet (Lunar New Year).

According to Mr. Le Thanh Hoa, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Ban Lau commune, pineapple is one of the locality's main crops, closely associated with the people for many years. Ban Lau commune is currently a key agricultural production area of ​​the province, in which pineapple plays an important role in rural economic development.

This year's pineapple crop is considered bountiful and profitable. Market prices for pineapples range from 10,000 to 13,000 VND/kg, 4,000-6,000 VND/kg higher than previous seasons. On average, each hectare of pineapple yields about 40 tons, and at current prices, growers can earn approximately 400 million VND per hectare.

Mr. Le Thanh Hoa - Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Ban Lau Commune

Ban Lau commune is currently a key pineapple growing area in Lao Cai province.

The entire Ban Lau commune currently has approximately 2,000 hectares of pineapple. To ensure sustainable production, the locality has been actively connecting with businesses involved in processing and consuming agricultural products. From the 2026 pineapple crop onwards, many pineapple growing areas will have contracts for guaranteed product purchase right from planting, with a minimum floor price of 6,200 VND/kg, helping farmers feel secure in their production.

In addition, the commune also collaborates with research institutes and universities to introduce new pineapple varieties with high yields and good quality into production, such as the MD2 pineapple variety, which is popular in the fresh consumption market. The combination of new varieties with staggered planting techniques is expected to increase product value, stabilize output, and increase income for growers.

As Tet (Lunar New Year) approaches, trucks loaded with pineapples leave Ban Lau for markets across the country, carrying with them hopes for a prosperous new year. For pineapple growers here, the joy of a bountiful harvest and good prices is the motivation for them to continue investing in and enriching themselves from their homeland's main crop.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/niem-vui-tren-nhung-nuong-dua-post891329.html