Unlike many fruit trees that are harvested only once a year, green-skinned pomelos are harvested year-round, with prices fluctuating depending on the time of year, providing farmers with a decent income.
The family of Ms. Pham Thi Hong Thuy in Hamlet 7, Long Binh Commune, Phu Rieng District, has 3 hectares of green pomelo trees that are currently being harvested. During the recent Tet holiday, she sold about 5 tons of pomelo, and since the beginning of the year, the family has been harvesting continuously, one crop after another.
To ensure a stable and regular income, her family allows the trees to bear fruit naturally, selling the fruit year-round. On average, she harvests a batch of ripe fruit every 10 days and sells it to traders. Currently, it's the rainy season, and the pomelo trees are susceptible to many pests and diseases such as pinworms, mealybugs, and thrips, causing cracked bark, dry trees, and premature flower and fruit drop. Therefore, she regularly inspects the orchard to prevent and treat problems promptly. "Previously, I grew cashews in this area, but only harvested one crop a year, and my family's finances were always tight. Since switching to growing green pomelos, we have a year-round harvest, and our finances are much better. We have the means to take care of our family and our children's education," Ms. Thuy shared.
Green-skinned pomelo is currently a high-income crop in the area. Farmers who master the techniques and take good care of their orchards can earn a stable income. With just 4 sao (approximately 0.4 hectares) of green-skinned pomelo trees, Mr. Nguyen Mau Hung's family in Hamlet 7, Long Binh Commune, earns over 200 million VND annually after deducting expenses. Because the land is limited, he plants the trees at a higher density. According to Mr. Hung, planting densely means fewer fruits, but it prevents the trees from getting damaged by blemishes, and prevents breakage. The important thing is knowing how to prune and shape the canopy to avoid pests; fertilizing and watering adequately ensures good growth and consistent, beautiful fruit. "If you want to harvest fruit year-round, you need to be more meticulous in caring for the trees and fruit, because a single tree can produce multiple harvests. In return, growers have a regular and stable income," Mr. Hung shared.
The fruit-growing cooperative in Hamlet 7, Long Binh Commune, has 14 members, mainly growing pomelo and durian, including about 25 hectares of green-skinned pomelo. Members regularly exchange experiences on pest and disease control and market research. Thanks to strong cooperation, all of the members' pomelos are sold. According to the farmers, the cost of fertilizer during the fruiting stage is quite low, resulting in good profits. In particular, well-cared-for pomelo orchards that apply scientific and technical advancements to VietGAP standards yield higher productivity and fetch better prices.
According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Tuyet, head of the Long Binh commune's fruit tree cultivation cooperative, compared to other crops, green-skinned pomelo is easy to grow and the product is easy to sell. Therefore, the cooperative members prioritize developing this fruit tree.
Ms. Hoang Thi Anh, Vice President of the Long Binh Commune Farmers' Association, said that the land in the area is very suitable for growing fruit trees, including pomelo. Many people in the area grow pomelos, so sales are convenient, with traders coming directly to the orchards to buy them. "Many households have experience not only in developing their own pomelo orchards but also in guiding others around them on how to plant and care for green-skinned pomelos. This is a crop that many farmers in the commune have chosen," Ms. Anh said.
Green-skinned pomelos are being widely grown in Binh Phuoc province . Currently, many farmers allow the trees to bear fruit year-round. With this method, people have a continuous and stable income, ensuring a secure livelihood.
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