Sop Cop promotes the potential of growing citrus fruit trees

Phong villagers check the growth of newly planted orange trees.

Since the 2000s, farmers in Sop Cop commune have grown fruit trees, but in a fragmented and small scale, mainly for family use. In reality, growing citrus fruit trees brings high economic efficiency, Sop Cop commune has promoted and mobilized people in the commune to invest in renovating mixed gardens, converting sloping land areas used for growing corn and low-yield cassava to growing citrus fruit trees, mainly oranges, tangerines and grapefruits.

Ms. Hoang Thi Sinh, Head of the Economic Department of Sop Cop Commune, said: Fruit trees are concentrated in Na Mon, Long Tong, and Phong villages. These are villages with advantages in terms of land, moderately sloping hills, and relatively stable water sources compared to other villages in the commune, suitable for growing fruit trees. Currently, citrus fruit trees are in the young fruit stage, forming segments, and people in the commune are focusing on care, pest and disease prevention, and supplementing nutrients to nourish the fruit, ensuring productivity and quality.

The Regional Agricultural Technical Station XI has actively helped Sop Cop commune develop citrus fruit trees by organizing classes to transfer fruit tree care techniques to households in the commune. Instructing people to choose and use good seed sources, increasing fruit fertilization with synthetic NPK fertilizers, composted organic fertilizers, microbial fertilizers or organic fertilizers of plant origin. Thinning young fruit in fruit-bearing gardens according to the growth capacity of each type of tree; clearing drainage ditches, ensuring timely drainage when there is heavy rain.

People of Sop Cop commune take care of citrus fruit trees during the young fruit stage.

With the support of specialized agencies and local authorities, in 2018, local households joined together to establish Duy Loi Agricultural Cooperative, Na Mon village, Sop Cop commune, producing according to VietGAP standards and organic agricultural standards, in order to improve product quality. This is also a suitable direction, forming concentrated, large-scale specialized fruit growing areas.

Mr. Lo Van Thuan, Director of Duy Loi Agricultural Cooperative, Na Mon village, Sop Cop commune, said: The cooperative has 12 hectares of citrus fruit trees certified to meet VietGAP standards. During the care process, the cooperative mainly uses organic fertilizers and pesticides on the permitted list or of organic and biological origin. With this method, the quality of Na Mon oranges and tangerines is constantly improved, the consumption market is always stable, creating a brand for the cooperative's fruit products. The output in 2024 will reach nearly 230 tons of fruit, with an average price of 25,000 VND/kg. The average income of members will reach 150 million VND/year.

Farmers in Phong village, Sop Cop commune take care of fruit trees.

According to the synthesis of the Agricultural Technical Station of Region XI, at this time, the area of citrus fruit trees damaged by pests and diseases accounts for about 10%. In response to the development of pests and diseases, the Station coordinates with the commune to proactively and quickly announce the situation of pests and diseases on the commune and village radio system so that people can grasp. At the same time, guide people to properly implement prevention according to the "4 rights" principle; regularly check the garden, closely monitor the development of pests and diseases.

Mr. Tong Van Cay, Phong village, Sop Cop commune, said: My family has 1.5 hectares of Vinh orange and Duong Canh orange trees. During the garden inspection, I noticed that mealybugs and aphids caused local damage in some densely planted areas with little pruning. My family proactively applied preventive measures according to the recommendations of the professional sector, increased garden visits, and pruned trees in the young fruit stage, especially preventing and controlling fungi and diseases on trees to avoid young fruit falling; proactively applied manure and organic fertilizers to the plants. This year, my family strives for a yield of 17 tons, 10-15% higher than last year.

People of Long Tong village, Sop Cop commune take care of Vinh orange trees.

In fact, developing citrus fruit trees in Sop Cop commune opens up prospects for the local agricultural economy. However, to maintain and develop the area of citrus fruit trees, farmers in Sop Cop commune hope that professional agencies at all levels will continue to organize classes to transfer techniques for planting and caring for citrus fruit trees using methods of improving, selecting and eliminating low-quality varieties, improving productivity and product quality. At the same time, guide brand building, promote promotion and introduce citrus fruit products to consumers; focus on linking production and consumption for sustainable fruit tree development, contributing to local economic development, etc.

Source: https://baosonla.vn/kinh-te/sop-cop-phat-huy-tiem-nang-trong-cay-an-qua-co-mui-fTpQQMCNg.html