Citrus trees in Thanh Chuong bring net profit of 350 million VND/year

(Baonghean.vn) – Through its own path, citrus trees in Thanh Chuong are consumed stably with a net profit of nearly 350 million VND/ha per year.

In the spring crop of 2017, Thanh Chuong planted 5.28 hectares of oranges, bringing the orange area in the whole district to nearly 330 hectares, including some communes with large areas and concentrated planting such as Thanh Duc with over 120 hectares, Thanh Thuy with over 45 hectares, Thanh Nho with 27 hectares, initially forming some large-scale planting models, ensuring quality and bringing very high efficiency, productivity reaching up to 12 tons/hectare, net profit after deducting costs of over 336 million VND/hectare/year.

V2 oranges have high yield in Thanh Duc, Thanh Chuong. Photo: Phu Huong

Having started growing oranges for 15 years now, Mr. Trang Ngoc Tap's family in Suong hamlet, Thanh Duc commune, now has 5 hectares of oranges, of which 2 hectares have been harvested, the remaining 3 hectares are newly planted for 2-3 years, mainly Xa Doai and V2 orange varieties. They are currently preparing the land, preparing to plant another 3 hectares of oranges.

“Last year, my family’s 2 hectares of oranges yielded more than 30 tons of oranges. This year, the oranges ripened earlier and had a better harvest. Harvesting began at the end of the 8th lunar month, and so far, nearly 20 tons have been harvested. The initial selling price at the garden was 35,000 VND/kg, then gradually increased to 40,000 VND. It is expected that around the Lunar New Year, V2 oranges will be fully ripe, at which time the selling price will be even higher,” said Mr. Tap.

Vice Chairman of Thanh Duc Commune People's Committee, Mr. Nguyen Ba Son said: There are currently over 104 hectares of oranges in the area, of which 51.28 hectares are for commercial oranges, with an average yield of over 20 tons/hectare, and an income before deducting expenses of about 700 million VND/hectare/year. According to the plan, in the coming time (from 2018 to 2020), the whole commune will plant an additional 43.85 hectares of oranges.

Officers of the district's Department of Agriculture and leaders of Thanh Duc commune check the quality of oranges. Photo: Phu Huong

In addition, Thanh Chuong also focuses on growing Dien grapefruit. It was first planted in 2009 in Thanh Lien with an area of ​​0.7 ha, and in 2015 it was expanded to Thanh Phong and Thanh Ngoc communes, bringing the total area to 4.3 ha. According to the plan, by the end of this year, an additional 15.83 ha will be planted.

Each Dien grapefruit tree in Mr. Ho Sy Phuong's garden produces about 30 fruits. Photo: Phu Huong

Vice Chairman of Thanh Chuong District People's Committee, Mr. Le Dinh Thanh said: Thanh Chuong has land area and soil suitable for growing citrus trees. This year, the area will have nearly 16 hectares of oranges, mainly high-quality V2 orange variety. In the context of localities in and outside the province strongly developing oranges and tangerines, Thanh Chuong has tried to find its own direction.

"We advocate developing the area of ​​Dien grapefruit and V2 oranges with their own advantages. Grapefruits are not grown in any locality in the province and harvested before Tet and have a preservation period of up to 3 months. They can be picked in separate seasons to avoid congestion during peak times. V2 oranges have very good quality and ripen right before Tet, when other orange varieties have basically finished harvesting" - said the Vice Chairman of Thanh Chuong District People's Committee.

Phu Huong