From barren hills to pineapple plantations with fruits weighing 1.6-1.8 kg each.

HA TINH: Barren hillside lands previously used for planting acacia, oranges, and pomelos with low yields have been replaced with lush pineapple fields, producing fruits weighing up to 2.5 kg and generating an average profit of 200 million VND per hectare.

Each hectare yields a profit of nearly 200 million VND.

In June 2024, along with the former Cam Xuyen and Ky Anh districts, the former Vu Quang district of Ha Tinh province boldly collaborated with Dong Giao Export Food Joint Stock Company (DOVECO) to implement a model of linking pineapple cultivation and product distribution with cooperatives and cooperative groups in the area. To date, after nearly two years, the former Vu Quang district has developed nearly 20 hectares of pineapple, with Thuong Duc commune alone accounting for 5.75 hectares, involving two cooperatives and one cooperative group.

After nearly two years of development, Thuong Duc commune has now established a pineapple cultivation area of ​​5.75 hectares. Photo: Thanh Nga.

Recently, at a workshop evaluating the economic effectiveness of the model organized by the People's Committee of Thuong Duc commune in collaboration with DOVECO, representatives of the government, specialized agencies, and farmers were all enthusiastic and expressed their desire to expand the pineapple production model to a wider area in order to promote the transformation of crop structure towards adaptation to climate change and increase sustainable economic efficiency.

Analyzing the advantages of the model, the first is the introduction of the Cayen pineapple variety into production on less productive hilly land. This pineapple variety is well-adapted to the "scorching" climate of Central Vietnam, is drought-resistant, resistant to natural disasters, and virtually free from pests and diseases. According to practical assessments, many pineapple orchards are developing very well, with uniform fruit quality, averaging 1.6 - 1.8 kg per fruit.

According to assessments, the pineapple cultivation model yields significantly higher economic returns compared to growing acacia trees or citrus fruits. Photo: Thanh Nga.

To improve productivity, farmers receive direct guidance on planting and caring for the crops from the company's technical staff right in the fields. The land is plowed deeply, weeds are removed, and raised beds are created 30-40cm high to prevent waterlogging during the rainy season. 70% of the total fertilizer for the entire process is applied as a base dressing, and plastic sheeting is used to retain moisture, control weeds, and reduce labor.

In addition, farmers were guided on planting at an appropriate density of about 40,000 shoots/ha, combined with balanced application of organic and single fertilizers according to each growth stage to increase sweetness and fruit appearance. In particular, the technique of inducing off-season flowering using growth stimulants has initially shown clear effectiveness, helping the trees flower simultaneously, allowing for more control over harvesting time, and increasing product value.

In the first harvest from 1.9 hectares of pineapples treated for off-season flowering and fruiting, the expected yield is approximately 110 tons of fruit, with an average weight of 1.6 kg per fruit, of which nearly 90% are grade 1.

Introducing high-quality varieties combined with proper intensive farming techniques helps pineapples achieve good weight and quality. Photo: Thanh Nga.

In Thuong Duc commune, many households participating in the model have recorded outstanding economic efficiency compared to traditional crops. For example, Mr. Le Ngoc Lam's household, with an area of ​​0.54 hectares, expects a profit of over 151 million VND; Mr. Phung Khac Nghia's household, cultivating 0.7 hectares, is estimated to earn over 112 million VND; and Mr. Nguyen Minh Khoa, cultivating 0.45 hectares, expects to earn approximately 90 million VND.

Mr. Le Ngoc Lam (Hamlet 6, Thuong Duc Commune) shared that previously, his family's 0.54-hectare hillside land was mainly used for growing oranges, but the yield decreased due to aging and degenerated trees. After visiting DOVECO's pineapple cultivation model in Ninh Binh , his family decided to switch to growing Cayen pineapples. Monitoring and caring for the plants showed that this variety is easy to grow, drought-tolerant, and adapts well to the hot, dry climate. Even when planted during the hot mid-year and after experiencing heavy rainstorms, the plants still developed steadily.

"With proper care and investment, the yield can reach 60-80 tons/ha. After deducting expenses, my family expects to earn a profit of over 200 million VND/ha," Mr. Lam said excitedly.

Mr. Le Ngoc Lam is delighted to have successfully converted his degraded orange grove area to pineapple cultivation. Photo: Thanh Nga.

According to expert calculations, a Cayenne pineapple production cycle lasts approximately 16-18 months, with a total investment cost of about 165 million VND/ha. With an expected yield of around 60 tons/ha, the revenue from the first harvest can reach over 350 million VND/ha, resulting in a net profit of approximately 187 million VND/ha. Compared to acacia trees, which previously yielded only about 13-16 million VND/ha/year, the economic efficiency of pineapple cultivation is many times higher. Notably, after harvesting the first crop, farmers can harvest the second crop just 5 months later.

Continue to expand

As one of the pioneers in introducing pineapple cultivation to the former Vu Quang district, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Son, Chairman of the People's Committee of Thuong Duc commune, assessed that the pineapple cultivation model in collaboration with businesses has initially yielded positive results and is suitable for the local soil and climate conditions.

More importantly, pineapple cultivation has helped people shift their production mindset from small-scale to commercial production, encouraging them to invest boldly thanks to the support of businesses providing technical assistance and product distribution. In the coming time, Thuong Duc commune will continue to encourage people to expand the area planted with pineapples, striving to reach over 20 hectares by 2026 in order to form a concentrated production area linked to sustainable consumption.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tung - Deputy General Director of DOVECO (far right) emphasized that the company will continue to cooperate with local authorities and households on farming techniques and guarantee the purchase of all products according to the linkage contract. Photo: Thanh Nga.

On the business side, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tung, Deputy General Director of Dong Giao Export Food Joint Stock Company (DOVECO), pledged to continue supporting local authorities and households with farming techniques and guaranteeing the purchase of all products under the linkage contract, thereby helping farmers feel secure in investing in production.

According to Mr. Tung, practical implementation in Ha Tinh shows that the Cayen pineapple variety adapts well to the climate and soil conditions of the hilly region, yielding an average of about 50-60 tons/ha. Many orchards have fruits weighing 1.6-1.7 kg, with some exceptional fruits exceeding 2.5 kg. In addition, the Queen pineapple variety, implemented in other areas, is also very suitable for the climate and soil. The economic efficiency from these pineapple cultivation models is many times higher than that of traditional crops in the locality.

Chairman of Thuong Duc Commune People's Committee Nguyen Thanh Son (holding a pineapple sprout) said that producers not only profit from the fruit but also increase their profits from selling pineapple sprouts. Photo: Thanh Nga.

“Currently, the company has developed approximately 387 hectares of pineapple in Ha Tinh province, mainly concentrated in the former Cam Xuyen and Ky Anh districts. Of that, Cayen pineapple accounts for about 135 hectares, with an average yield of 50 tons/ha. Based on assessments, pineapple cultivation has contributed to changing the crop structure, increasing people's income, and opening up a direction for sustainable commercial agricultural development in the locality,” Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tung emphasized.

Source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/tu-doi-can-coi-den-nhung-vuon-dua-16--18kg-qua-d812739.html