Tien Giang: Promoting linkages in dragon fruit production

(ABO) On August 18, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) of Tien Giang organized a Conference to promote production linkages under the Dragon Fruit Chain and Consumption Project in 2023. The conference was chaired by Deputy Director of the DARD Tran Hoang Nhat Nam.

The province currently has 8,962 hectares of dragon fruit, with a production area of 7,493 hectares, a yield of 34.7 tons/ha, and an output of over 260,000 tons/year. The main dragon fruit production areas are mainly concentrated in the four districts of Cho Gao, Go Cong Tay, Tan Phuoc, and Go Cong Dong. Compared to 2020, the dragon fruit area decreased by 754.4 hectares.

The selling price of dragon fruit in the first 6 months of 2023 was relatively high, averaging 17,720 VND/kg, 9,220 VND/kg higher than in 2022. The average profit was 205.5 million VND/ha, 154.8 million VND higher than in 2022. However, since the beginning of July, dragon fruit consumption has been difficult, and dragon fruit prices have decreased due to the favorable crop. The price of dragon fruit is low, only about 3,000 - 5,000 VND/kg, farmers have no profit and no loss.

Comrade Tran Hoang Nhat Nam spoke at the conference.

Delegates working at the conference.

At the conference, representatives of cooperatives, input and output enterprises of dragon fruit had many opinions such as: Industries need to support newly established cooperatives in terms of capital as well as linking with enterprises to expand stable output; propagate to people about the effectiveness of clean dragon fruit production to create a stable source of raw materials; research to establish a provincial dragon fruit association, promote linkages between cooperatives...

Enterprises and cooperatives signed cooperation agreements.

Speaking at the conference, comrade Tran Hoang Nhat Nam hoped that with the joint efforts of businesses and cooperatives, the production and consumption of dragon fruit will increasingly develop. In the coming time, the inevitable trend is to link and share more between businesses, farmers, and state agencies, and to be more closely linked in the production and consumption of dragon fruit.

Cooperatives and farmers also shared: Enterprises are the channels for consuming and linking dragon fruit products with the market, do not ignore the benefits of long-term cooperation for short-term benefits. Localities need to closely monitor the production and consumption situation of farmers, cooperatives and enterprises to promptly remove difficulties and obstacles. Farmers also need to change their production mindset towards clean production, keep a planting diary, and comply with regulations on exporting to demanding markets.

On this occasion, 3 enterprises and 7 cooperatives signed contracts in principle for input and output supply of dragon fruit.

CAO THANG

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