Moldy bananas from Do Luong double in price near Tet

In Trang Son Commune (Do Luong), many households have boldly accepted land areas far from their residences and ineffectively growing rice to build banana growing models. Currently, the whole commune has 16 banana farms, each farm has from 500 to 1,000 banana trees.

Ms. Phan Thi Lien in Hamlet 7 is one of the households in Trang Son who has become rich from banana trees. At the end of 2016, on 3 hectares of low-lying land, she invested nearly 100 million VND to rent an excavator to renovate and plant over 500 banana trees. With the characteristics of fast growth and suitability to many types of soil, it bore fruit after only half a year.

Ms. Phan Thi Lien, Trang Son commune, Do Luong district, harvests bananas; the selling price of large bananas is 300,000 VND/bunch, double the usual price. Photo: Ngoc Phuong

Initially, each tree had only one tree, then it developed into a bush of 4-6 trees. Therefore, Ms. Lien has bananas to harvest all year round; at least twice a month, before the 15th and 1st of the lunar month, she harvests about 40 bunches. On average, each harvest sells for 6 million VND... After harvesting, banana leaves are used to raise fish, and banana stems are used to raise chickens and ducks.

This year's last banana crop, my family has harvested 50 bunches, the big bunches are bought at home by traders for 300,000 VND/bunch, double the usual price; each bunch of bananas costs an average of 20,000 - 30,000 VND. Bananas are easy to grow, easy to sell and can be harvested all year round. In addition, banana flowers, fresh and dried banana leaves are all selling very well" - Ms. Lien said.

The banana growing area in Do Luong is spread evenly across the district. For example, the family of Mr. Nguyen Huu Chung in Yen Tan hamlet, Giang Son Dong commune currently has the largest banana growing area in the commune with nearly 2 hectares; in the last month of the year, before Tet Ky Hoi, he earned about 50 million VND.

In Yen Tan Hamlet, Giang Son Dong Commune, there are 150 households, of which over 50% grow bananas on an area of ​​20 hectares. Due to the suitable soil, bananas here grow well, with large and sweet fruits. Currently, bananas are the main crop helping people escape poverty...

Mr. Bui Cong Huu in Dien Dong commune, Dien Chau district is one of the traders who regularly buy Do Luong moldy honey bananas... Photo: Ngoc Phuong

However, according to long-time banana growers, to be effective, growers need to clear the grass, mound the roots, add potassium and monitor each banana bunch to calculate the harvest date. At the same time, the young plants must be dug up and planted elsewhere. Bananas bloom for 3 months before they are ready for harvest. For the type of banana used for incense burning on the 15th and 1st of the lunar month and during Tet, they must be harvested while green and not allowed to ripen on the tree. After harvesting, the roots must be cut and lime applied to prevent pests.

Thanks to that, the bananas in Do Luong are big, sweet and have beautiful appearance, so they are bought in large quantities by customers in many places. Mr. Bui Cong Huu in Dien Dong commune, Dien Chau district said that he has been buying bananas in Do Luong for nearly 20 years now. Do Luong bananas are in large quantity, the fruits are big, bright and beautiful, so they are easy to sell.

Banana trees in Do Luong are harvested regularly. Do Luong people have "calculated" to harvest at least twice a month, at the beginning and end of the month. In addition, the banana variety is often used by people for worship, so the demand is almost always there, especially during Tet...

This Tet holiday, a beautiful bunch of big, moldy bananas costs 80,000 - 100,000 VND. Photo: Ngoc Phuong

Currently, the entire Do Luong district has over 310 hectares of bananas; banana trees are not only a tree that helps reduce poverty but also a tree that helps farmers get rich. According to Mr. Nguyen Thanh Binh - Vice Chairman of the Farmers' Association of Do Luong district, the locality is encouraging people to develop banana cultivation, planning into zones... Currently, some communes are expanding the land fund for banana cultivation; in particular, Thuan Son commune is planning an additional banana growing area of ​​5 hectares.