Sweet fruit on barren land

(QBĐT) - "Seeing many wild grapevines growing and developing very well in the garden, I started thinking about bringing a certain grape variety to plant. At that time, I knew nothing about grapevines or high-tech agriculture (CNC) and I learned and researched on my own to build the vineyard as it is now", Mr. Le The Phong, one of the owners of Tam An vineyard (Dong Hoi city) shared about his fate in finding peony grapes and CNC agriculture.

Accompanying him to build Tam An vineyard, Mr. Le The Phong invited his friend Nguyen Cong Tho. Sharing the passion for clean agriculture, CNC agriculture helped the two of them persevere in experimenting to bring grape varieties to grow on harsh land in Quang Binh . This is considered the first successful CNC grape growing model in the province.

High-tech grape growing

In residential group 10, Dong Son ward (Dong Hoi city), many people have always thought that this land is only suitable for brick and tile production. Therefore, the appearance of a peony grape garden with strict living conditions being planted and growing well here is a surprise and strange thing to many people. Happily leading reporters to visit the vineyard, Mr. Phong said that in the past, he only invested in raising fish and chickens on the entire grape growing area. Due to the characteristics of the soil here being sandy clay, it is very difficult to grow fruit trees. To be able to grow them, the soil must be improved for productivity and economic efficiency.

Not only was the land unfavorable, but at that time, his experience and knowledge of agriculture, especially grapevines, were completely zero. “Before, I worked in the armed forces. After returning from the army, I only knew how to raise chickens and fish. So when it comes to land and farming, I knew absolutely nothing,” said Mr. Phong.

Despite the harsh weather, Tam An vineyard still produces plump bunches of grapes.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, he started planning to take advantage of the large garden area to grow grapes. To prepare for this project, he went online to self-study and research how to improve the soil, how to choose varieties and care for grapes. However, growing CNC grapes requires a large amount of funding in addition to knowledge. "When I came up with the idea, Mr. Tho agreed to join me. He is a businessman and trader, but when he heard about clean CNC agriculture, Tho really liked it." With his friend's agreement to contribute capital to work with him, he researched and contacted to order seedlings. The grape variety he chose to grow was peony grapes originating from Japan. This is a grape variety that requires a strict planting and care process. While waiting for the seedlings, he and his friend improved the soil and built a CNC greenhouse system. Taking advantage of the working day, in the evening, Mr. Phong went online to learn how to grow peony grapes. He confided: “When I received the seedlings, I was shocked because the grapevines looked dry and damaged. I asked and found out that their characteristics were like hibernation. The gardener had sent more spare plants for the garden in case any died. However, I planted them myself and all 2,000 grapevines survived and grew healthily.”

The first "sweet fruits"

Peony grapes are suitable for growing in temperate climates. Where the temperature is not too cold in winter and not too hot in summer. However, amidst the cold winter weather and long wet rains in Quang Binh, Tam An vineyard is still green and is producing plump, heavy bunches of grapes.

Tam An grape farm is grown according to high-tech model.

Mr. Phong explained: “It’s winter now, I should have let the vines rest to save energy for next year’s crop. But because I was in a hurry and also wanted to try my hand at making the vineyard bear fruit as I wanted, I had this off-season grape crop.” This is the second crop that Tam An vineyard has produced fruit. Before that, the vineyard also produced its first harvest. Many people know and come to buy at the garden. Grade 1 grapes cost 300,000 VND/kg, but the garden still doesn’t have enough to sell. For the vineyard to develop, the weather factor is very important. Here, the weather is generally harsh, not an ideal environment for peony grapes to grow and produce good fruit. The secret to taking care of the peony vineyard is to look at the growth process of the wild grapes to predict the weather.

“Next year’s grape crop, we plan to renovate and complete the farm to open an ecological experience service for visitors, so that everyone can learn more about the CNC grape growing process. When visiting, visitors will be able to take photos and buy grapes in the garden,” said Mr. Phong.

In about a month, this batch of grapes will be ready for harvest. Unlike other types of grapes, peony grapes must be harvested at the right time. If the grapes are harvested before or after the stage when they accumulate sugar, the grapes will not have the characteristic sweetness when harvested. Therefore, in addition to knowing the time when the grapes accumulate sugar, to ensure that the grapes when harvested have the best quality of the peony grape variety, the garden has also equipped the fruit with a sugar meter.

“I am passionate about the vineyard, so I want to do all the pruning and branching myself. If I hire someone to do it, I am not comfortable, because I am afraid that people here do not understand much about grapevines...”, Mr. Phong shared.

D. Nguyet

Source: https://www.baoquangbinh.vn/phong-su/202501/trai-ngot-tren-dat-can-2223479/