Nguyen Trung Tinh's Taiwanese apple orchard in Duc Tho ( Ha Tinh province ), with over 300 trees grown organically, is laden with fruit and has attracted many tourists to experience and purchase the produce.
In 2017, Mr. Nguyen Trung Tinh (from Dai Thanh residential area, Duc Tho town) rented a plot of land nearly 7,000 m2 along the La River alluvial plain from Duc Yen Cooperative to plant his first 150 Taiwanese apple trees, expanding to over 300 trees the following year. With careful and meticulous care following proper technical procedures, his family's more than 300 apple trees now produce high-quality fruit with a distinctive sweet and delicious taste.
Mr. Tinh said: "Taiwanese apple trees are suitable for sandy soil. Each year, the apple orchard yields one main crop at the end of winter and the beginning of spring. The apple harvesting period lasts for about two months, starting from December of the lunar calendar until the end of January of the following year. This year, thanks to favorable weather, the apple orchard has a high yield, estimated at over 7 tons by the end of the harvest season, about 1.5 tons more than last year."
At this time, Mr. Tinh's family apple orchard is in the harvest season. He said that to ensure the apple trees grow well and bear fruit in time for Tet (Vietnamese New Year), he has to prune diseased branches and prevent excessive fruit setting since mid-year. In addition, he pays attention to water management, preventing fruit flies and other pests to ensure high yields. As a result, Mr. Tinh's apple orchard not only produces large apples but also those that are very crisp and sweet.
The plump, dew-covered apples were meticulously cared for by Mr. Tinh from the moment they sprouted until harvest.
Because there are many ripe apples at this time of year, and many buyers, Mr. Tinh has mobilized extra manpower to harvest them. He said that the colder the weather, the sweeter and tastier the apples become, and they can be stored for 7-10 days without spoiling. Growing apples brings in a higher and more profitable income compared to many other crops, so he plans to expand the area in the future.
When harvesting apples, Mr. Tinh's family has to use skillful techniques, picking each apple individually to avoid damaging the entire cluster. For tall trees, they have to use specialized harvesting tools to avoid breaking branches or bruising the fruit.
Thanks to careful tending, Mr. Tinh's apple orchard of over 300 trees is thriving, lush green, and laden with fruit.
In the final days of the year, Mr. Tinh's apple harvesting work becomes busier. Although quite tiring, it brings in a high income. Mr. Tinh shared: "Thanks to being grown according to organic standards and not using chemical pesticides, our family's apples are selling for 45-50 thousand VND/kg depending on the variety. This year, the apple harvest is abundant and the prices are good, so the family is very happy."
To ensure delicious, high-quality apples, Mr. Tinh strictly adheres to the planting process from the very beginning. Any damaged apples are thoroughly disposed of to prevent the spread of disease.
Reportedly, out of his family's more than 300 apple trees, Mr. Tinh has designated 200 for experiential tourism development. Mr. Tinh stated: "Driven by the needs of tourists, I started developing experiential tourism. Currently, I'm selling tickets for 40,000 VND per person for each visit. Although it's a new business, many tourists have shown their support. On weekends, hundreds of visitors come to tour and purchase apples directly from the orchard, providing my family with additional income."
Visitors come to tour the orchard, enjoy apples right there, and take beautiful photos alongside the lush, fruit-laden apple trees.
Ms. Ho Thi Dieu Thuy (Duc Tho town) shared: "Coming here, we not only get to enjoy delicious fresh apples right from the orchard but also have the opportunity to capture beautiful moments next to the neatly arranged apple trees. I think this is a novel experiential tourism model that the orchard owner should replicate in the future."
Visitors immerse themselves in Mr. Tinh's apple orchard.
To cater to the needs of tourists who want to visit, experience, and take photos, Mr. Tinh has added peach trees, resting areas, and other decorations. These are the highlights that make visitors love and appreciate his family's garden even more.
Video : Experiencing the apple orchard laden with fruit in Duc Tho
Mr. Tinh's family's apple farming model has the potential for long-term development. In particular, Mr. Tinh's bold move to develop experiential tourism has demonstrated the significant added benefits from apple cultivation. In the future, the local authorities will encourage people to visit, learn, and gradually replicate this model to increase their income.
Mr. Nghiem Sy Duc
Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Duc Tho town
Van Chung
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