The unique 'hanging pomelo' project by JICA in Nghe An.

(Baonghean.vn) - To build the Quang Tien pink pomelo brand, in early 2017, Thai Hoa town linked pomelo growers to create hanging gardens under the JICA project.

In late July, we had the opportunity to visit the Quang Tien pink pomelo orchard, which applies safe production processes from the JICA project, a rather unique sight. The pink pomelo trees were densely laden with fruit, carefully wrapped in paper and hung up by the farmers.

On average, each pomelo tree here bears 100-150 fruits, each weighing about 1.5-2 kg. To prevent the branches from breaking, farmers have to stake the trees and tie the pomelos with ropes to hang them. Because each tree has hundreds of fruits hanging like that, pomelo farmers in Thai Hoa town call them "hanging" pomelos.

To prevent branches from breaking, grapefruit growers have to use stakes to support the fruit and tie it to the branches to hang it up. Photo: Quang Huy.

To build the Quang Tien pink pomelo brand, in early 2017, Thai Hoa town linked pomelo growers in Quang Tien ward and Nghia Tien commune to apply the care process according to the JICA project. The project is a technical cooperation on agricultural development planning in Nghe An province, jointly undertaken by the Provincial People's Committee and Japan.

The project aims to apply scientific and technical methods to safe production processes, ensuring uniformity in the color and weight of pomelos. Accordingly, Quang Tien pink pomelo growers received specific guidance on care, fertilization, pruning, and recording the tree's development progress. In addition, the project provided support to 10 farming households, each with 1,600 bags of various types such as white paper bags, brown paper bags, and cloth bags.

Visiting Mr. Nguyen Hong Cong's 1-hectare Quang Tien pink pomelo orchard in Trung Nghia Hamlet, Quang Tien Ward, we learned that this year the orchard has about 20,000 fruits, all of uniform weight and bright, beautiful color. "This is thanks to the family's strict adherence to the project's care procedures; compared to previous years, this year the fruit setting rate is high, the color is beautiful, so the selling price is also high, estimated to bring in 500-600 million VND," Mr. Cong shared.

Mr. Nguyen Hong Cong, residing in Trung Nghia Hamlet, Quang Tien Ward (Thai Hoa Town), is tending to his pomelo orchard. Photo: Quang Huy.

Thai Hoa town has over 80 hectares of Quang Tien pink pomelo trees, promising a successful harvest season due to their high quality and yield; on average, 1 hectare yields 25-30 tons of fruit; households growing pomelos under the project can earn billions of VND each year.

This year, the 1.5-hectare Quang Tien pink pomelo orchard of Mr. Phan Duc Dinh's family in Hamlet 6, Nghia Tien Commune, is entering its second harvest season. At this time, 100% of the pomelo trees in the orchard are showing promising signs of growth. Not only are they bearing abundant fruit, but the quality is also considered quite high. According to Mr. Phan Duc Dinh, this year's high yield and lack of pests and diseases are due to the use of protective coverings provided by the JICA project. This is a meaningful project, and the people believe that this year's yield will be much higher.

Agricultural extension officers in Thai Hoa town are instructing farmers participating in the JICA project on grapefruit cultivation procedures. Photo: Quang Huy.

Ensuring food safety and quality is a key factor in increasing economic efficiency and also serves as a foundation for Thai Hoa town to establish the Quang Tien Pink Pomelo Clean Agriculture Cooperative, build, manage, and develop the "Quang Tien Pink Pomelo" brand in the future. It also provides a solution for securing a market for the product.

Mr. Dang Thai Hoa, Acting Head of the Agricultural Extension Station in Thai Hoa town, said: "Currently, we are finalizing the procedures to submit to relevant departments, the Department of Science and Technology, and the province to establish a cooperative; build a brand, and aim to give Quang Tien pink pomelo a place in cities and supermarkets nationwide."

Thu Trang - Quang Huy