Thai people grow foreign guava for the first time

(Baonghean.vn) – The Thai people in Tam Thai commune (Tuong Duong) have just started a trial planting of 1.5 hectares of Taiwanese guava. This is the first foreign variety planted in the area.

Officials instruct Thai people in Tam Thai commune (Tuong Duong) to grow Taiwanese guava. Photo: Dinh Tuan

Taiwanese guava variety is easy to adapt to the environment, bears fruit quickly, the fruit is large but has few seeds (average fruit weight 0.3 - 0.4 kg/fruit; the first fruit can reach 0.7 - 0.8 kg/fruit. When ripe, it is crispy, soft and has a light pear aroma. The guava tree from planting to flowering only takes about 8 months, and will be harvested after about 2 more.

By pinching the top, the height of the guava tree can be adjusted to no more than 2m, making it convenient for protecting the fruit and harvesting. Farmers are also advised not to plant this guava variety in areas with low-lying terrain that are prone to flooding during the rainy season, but must proactively provide irrigation water during the dry season. Through the survey process, it was shown that Taiwanese guava has the ability to adapt to the external and soil conditions in Xiangyang.

People receive guava seeds to plant. Photo: Dinh Tuan

From the 2017 New Rural Development support fund, Tam Thai commune initially implemented a trial planting of 1.5 hectares of Taiwanese guava in Dooc Bua and Na Tong villages with 17 participating households. Farmers were supported 100% including: seedlings, fertilizers, drip irrigation systems, steel fences and technical instructions.

Mr. Lo Van Tuyen, residing in Na Tong village, said: "After receiving the government's policy, I realized that this is a promising project and could be a poverty reduction model for my family, so I registered to test growing guava on an area of ​​400 square meters of land. Later, if it is okay, I will expand the area."

After receiving technical guidance, farmers have planted on an area of ​​1.5 hectares. Photo: Dinh Tuan

Mr. Vi Viet Kieu - Vice Chairman of Tam Thai Commune People's Committee said, "From the 2017 new rural capital, the commune has proactively implemented this new guava planting plan with the desire to help people change the crop structure, thereby gradually eliminating hunger and reducing poverty..."

Dinh Tuan