Tan Hung: Increasing income through the purple-flowered lemon cultivation model.

Despite being nearly 70 years old, with a spirit of daring to think and act, and with diligence, hard work, and creativity in production, Ms. Nguyen Thi Lap – a member of the Women's Union in Ca No hamlet, Vinh Loi commune, Tan Hung district – has boldly transformed the crop structure on inefficient rice fields to cultivate purple-flowered lemons. Initially, this model has yielded quite high economic returns.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Lap, residing in Ca No hamlet, Vinh Loi commune, Tan Hung district, has a 4-hectare garden of purple-flowered lemon trees intercropped with coconut trees.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Lap, born in 1956, is from Thap Muoi district, Dong Thap province. In 2008, she bought land for farming in Ca No hamlet, Vinh Loi commune, and in 2015, her family moved to this area to settle down and have lived there ever since.

Ms. Lap planted over 1,000 purple-flowered lemon trees interspersed with 1,200 coconut trees on an area of 4 hectares of land.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Lap stated that her family owns over 6 hectares of agricultural land for rice cultivation, but due to fluctuating prices and pest infestations, rice production is not highly profitable. Recognizing the high economic efficiency of growing purple-flowered lemons in her hometown of Thap Muoi District, Dong Thap Province, in 2022 Ms. Lap discussed the matter with her family and agreed to borrow an additional 70 million VND from the District Branch of the Social Policy Bank to convert 4 hectares of rice land into orchards, planting over 1,000 purple-flowered lemon trees interspersed with 1,200 coconut trees.

The purple-flowered lime tree produces fruit in clusters and bears fruit year-round.

During the conversation, Ms. Nguyen Thi Lap stated that her family owns over 6 hectares of agricultural land for rice cultivation, but due to fluctuating prices and pest infestations, rice production is not highly profitable. Recognizing the high economic efficiency of growing purple-flowered lemons in her hometown of Thap Muoi District, Dong Thap Province, in 2022 Ms. Lap discussed with her family and agreed to borrow an additional 70 million VND from the District Branch of the Social Policy Bank to convert 4 hectares of rice land into orchards, planting over 1,000 purple-flowered lemon trees interspersed with 1,200 coconut trees.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Lap is delighted to harvest her lemons after more than a year of diligent care.

From the beginning of 2024 until now, Ms. Lap has harvested three batches of lemons (each subsequent batch yielding more than the previous one), with a total yield of over 14 tons. She sold them to traders at prices ranging from 19,500 to 21,500 VND per kilogram, earning nearly 300 million VND. As for the coconut trees, she expects them to start bearing fruit in another year.

Purple-flowered limes produce large, juicy fruits. On average, 10-20 limes will weigh 1 kg.

This achievement brings joy and excitement to Mrs. Nguyen Thi Lap's family.

Besides focusing on developing her family's economy, Ms. Lap actively participates in emulation movements and campaigns launched by the local authorities and the Women's Union at all levels. She is also willing to share her experience and techniques to help other women who wish to implement the model of growing purple-flowered lemons.

Traders come directly to the farm to buy lemons.

Lemons are fetching good prices during the hot season.

Based on the initial success of growing purple-flowered lemons, Ms. Lap plans to expand the area to 6,000 square meters to plant an additional 400 purple-flowered lemon trees. This opens up a new direction for crop diversification suitable for the locality, contributing to improving the economy and increasing income for the people in the future.

Duy Phuoc

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