Growing custard apples on rocky mountains helps Mong ethnic people escape poverty

From the practice of converting crop structure in rocky mountainous areas, the custard apple growing model of Mong ethnic people in Quang Son commune, Thai Nguyen province has affirmed its clear effectiveness in developing household economy, contributing to increasing income, sustainable poverty reduction and building new rural areas.

The custard apple tree has helped the people of Trung Son overcome hunger and poverty, gradually rising to prosperity.

The benefits of boldly switching crops.

Previously, the people of Trung Son hamlet, Quang Son commune, mainly grew corn on rocky mountain slopes – a traditional crop, but with low yields, only allowing for one harvest per year, resulting in unstable income and difficult living conditions.

Based on the reality and recognizing the potential of the rocky mountainous land, some households began exploring models for growing fruit trees on rocky mountains and boldly shifted their crop structure towards more suitable options. Among them, the custard apple, a familiar tree that is well-suited to the soil and terrain of rocky mountains, easy to care for, and has high economic value, was chosen as the main crop.

According to the leaders of Quang Son commune, what started as a trial planting by just a few households has now expanded significantly. The entire hamlet now boasts over 15 hectares of custard apple trees, with 10 hectares already yielding stable, high-yield harvests. Many households currently have custard apple orchards ranging from 2,000 to 5,000 square meters. The custard apple tree has proven its clear economic effectiveness, becoming a key crop helping the people of Trung Son escape poverty and gradually become wealthy.

Custard apples grown here are highly valued for their quality: large, sweet, with few seeds, and naturally delicious aroma. During harvest season, traders come directly to the farms to buy them, eliminating the need for farmers to sell them at retail markets. The average price ranges from 20,000 to 25,000 VND/kg, sometimes reaching up to 50,000 VND/kg. Many households earn tens of millions of VND per harvest, significantly improving their living standards.

Ms. Duong Thi Sang, a Mong ethnic woman from Trung Son, shared that when she saw that custard apple trees were suitable for the mountainous soil and produced large, sweet fruits, her family decided to switch entirely to growing them. Initially, they received support from the government, and later, with some accumulated capital, they bought seedlings themselves to plant more. To date, the family has about 700 custard apple trees. With good care, each harvest can be sold for 20,000 - 30,000 VND/kg, providing a much higher income than before when they only grew corn.

According to Ms. Sang, since switching to growing custard apples, her family, which was previously poor and facing difficult circumstances, has risen above their circumstances, earning a better income and enjoying a more comfortable life.

The leaders of Quang Son commune further explained that the success of the custard apple cultivation model stems primarily from selecting crops suitable for the local terrain and climate. The rocky, seemingly barren mountain soil is actually an ideal environment for custard apple trees to thrive, producing delicious, high-quality fruit.

Quang Son commune is continuing to encourage people to expand the area under custard apple cultivation, while proactively coordinating with specialized agencies to organize technical training courses, support high-quality seedlings, guide people in caring for and controlling pests and diseases, ensuring productivity and product quality, and linking with traders to sell the products. In addition, the locality is also focusing on transforming the crop structure, developing agriculture towards a commodity-based approach, with custard apple being one of the key crops alongside tea and other fruit trees, creating stable livelihoods for people in the highlands.

Market connection efforts have also received attention. Many traders purchase directly from the orchards, helping farmers save on transportation costs. Some households have formed production groups, sharing experiences and developing value chain production models, gradually building a brand for custard apples.

The custard apple trees are carefully tended by the locals, who apply new techniques such as proper pruning, artificial pollination, and effective pest and disease control.

Mr. Duong Van Hong from Trung Son hamlet said: "Custard apple trees grown on rocky mountains don't need as much fertilizer as those grown on flat land, but they still thrive. The secret is to prune at the right time, take meticulous care, and regularly control pests and diseases. Thanks to diligently caring for the trees, we get a good harvest, which gives us more income to support our lives."

Experience shows that when people receive technical support, production guidance, and stable markets, they can completely break free from the mindset of small-scale production and move towards a market-oriented economy.

The custard apple cultivation model in Trung Son hamlet, Quang Son commune, not only brings high income but also makes a significant contribution to achieving the goals of the National Target Program for Sustainable Poverty Reduction and New Rural Development. This is a vivid example of the principle of "Taking the people's own strength as the central focus, and using State support as the driving force."

From the initial positive results, valuable lessons can be drawn for mountainous areas and ethnic minority regions: carefully survey natural conditions to determine suitable crops and livestock; avoid blindly applying models from other regions; promote the transfer of scientific and technical knowledge, replicate effective models linked to product consumption chains; support the formation of cooperatives and production groups, facilitate access to preferential capital, and build brands for distinctive products; integrate resources from poverty reduction and new rural development programs, and encourage people to be proactive and creative in production and business.

The story of growing custard apples on the rocky mountains of Trung Son is a vivid testament to the effectiveness of innovative production thinking, shifting from spontaneous farming to planned production, applying technology, and gradually forming a specialized fruit-growing area. From a barren, rocky mountain region, it has now become a land of abundant custard apple orchards, bringing a more prosperous life to the Mong ethnic people.

Source: https://daibieunhandan.vn/trong-na-tren-nui-da-giup-dong-bao-dan-toc-mong-thoat-ngheo-10393822.html