Developing specialized fruit growing areas

People of Quai Nua commune harvest mangoes under a value chain production linkage project.

Before 2018, fruit trees in the province were mainly grown in a scattered and small scale manner, serving the needs of families and selling fresh fruit to the provincial market. From 2018 to present, in some districts, a number of concentrated fruit growing areas have been formed, such as: pineapple, mango, grapefruit, passion fruit, orange. In particular, on December 31, 2021, the Provincial People's Committee issued Decision No. 3417/QD-UBND approving the "Project on developing advantageous fruit trees and specialties towards concentrated and sustainable commodity production in Dien Bien province for the period 2021 - 2025, with a vision to 2030". This is the basis and condition for localities in the province to focus on developing specialized areas for high-quality fruit trees. Up to now, the area of fruit trees in the whole province has reached 3,982 hectares; Of which, more than 1,400 hectares are concentrated, accounting for about 35% of the total area, with links between people and cooperatives, people and businesses, or businesses and farm owners investing themselves, so they have paid more attention to varieties, fertilizers, and cultivation techniques. In the first 6 months of 2023, fruit tree output reached 9,365.3 tons (an increase of 15.38 tons compared to the same period in 2022).

Mr. Pham Dinh Lai, Head of the Department of Cultivation and Plant Protection (Department of Agriculture and Rural Development) assessed: The development of fruit trees in recent times has had positive changes. Some districts and communes have been converting the crop structure to fruit tree development, initially achieving positive results. Up to now, a number of concentrated fruit tree areas with high productivity have been formed, initially forming a number of production links associated with processing and consumption of fruit tree products. Many good quality varieties have been used to increase the production value on cultivated land, thereby increasing farmers' income and living standards compared to before.

Implementing the Fruit Tree Development Project, 10/10 districts, towns and cities have developed plans, of which 7/10 localities have issued a Plan to develop advantageous fruit trees and specialties towards concentrated and sustainable commodity production for the period 2021 - 2025, with a vision to 2030; 3/7 districts (Dien Bien Dong, Muong Cha, Nam Po) have issued a Plan for the period 2022 - 2025, with a vision to 2030. Currently, the districts of Tuan Giao, Dien Bien and Muong Ang have many areas of fruit trees for harvest, creating stable income for people. For example, in the first 6 months of 2023, Tuan Giao district sold over 100 tons of mangoes to the Central Fruit and Vegetable Company, with a selling price of 7,500 - 10,500 VND/kg.

When the fruit tree area has developed stably, many localities have adjusted their plans to 2025, instead of implementing the goal of expanding the area by focusing on caring for and sustainably developing the existing fruit tree area.

Tuan Giao district has identified the development of high-quality fruit trees as one of the main economic development directions of the agricultural sector. Accordingly, the district has directed the implementation of 56 fruit tree planting projects in the direction of value chain linkage with a total area of 484.2 hectares; including: 248.1 hectares of mango; 52.9 hectares of jackfruit; 22 hectares of late-ripening longan; 80.9 hectares of pear; 66.9 hectares of grapefruit; 13.4 hectares of purple passion fruit. The fruit tree planting area is concentrated in the communes of Quai Nua, Quai Cang, Pu Nhung, Rang Dong, Mun Chung, Na Tong. Up to now, the total fruit tree area of Tuan Giao district has reached 620 hectares, many areas are harvested, creating stable income for people. In particular, 3 hectares of fruit trees have been granted a planting area code.

The target of the Resolution of the Tuan Giao District Party Congress by 2025 is that the whole district will have 1,000 hectares of fruit trees. However, at the mid-term review conference of 2020 - 2025, the Tuan Giao District Party Committee adjusted the plan, striving that by 2025, the whole district will focus on caring for and sustainably developing 600 hectares, a decrease of 400 hectares compared to the Resolution target. Explaining the above adjustment, Ms. Pham Thi Tuyen, Vice Chairman of the District People's Committee, said: The rapid expansion of fruit tree areas has caused some areas where people do not have enough resources to care for, protect and develop. Therefore, the productivity, output and quality of fruit are not guaranteed. Based on reviewing and accurately assessing the current status of fruit tree development in the area, the district has adjusted the plan, from now until 2025, focusing resources on maintaining, stably and sustainably developing the existing fruit tree area; Take care of the garden to ensure good productivity, output and quality. At the same time, focus on trade promotion and building production links to create stable output for products.

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