Efficiency from growing oranges according to VietGAP process

(Baonghean.vn) - Growing oranges in an intensive model during the basic construction period according to VietGAP in Quy Hop district (Nghe An) has yielded much higher productivity and quality than traditional orange growing areas.

Quy Hop has long been the capital of Vinh oranges. Previously, Quy Hop oranges were mainly concentrated in Minh Hop commune. After the province successfully established the Vinh Orange Geographical Indication, the value of orange trees increased, so people in Ha Son, Van Loi, Chau Dinh communes... paid attention and converted ineffective crops to oranges.

Mr. Nguyen Ba Lam in Huong Chau hamlet, Chau Dinh commune (Quy Hop) uses straw to cover the tree roots to keep the oranges moist. Photo: Phan Giang

Mr. Nguyen Ba Lam is one of the pioneers in applying the VietGAP orange production model in Chau Dinh commune. His family has 3 hectares of Doai Long Vang oranges, including 1.5 hectares of 3-year-old oranges, 1 hectare of 2-year-old oranges and 0.5 hectares of 1-year-old oranges.

This year, through the District Agricultural Extension Station, Mr. Lam's family received investment support to build a basic construction period orange intensive farming model according to VietGAP on an area of ​​2 hectares in Doai commune.

Thanks to the active advice of agricultural extension officers and proper implementation of technical and care procedures, his orange acreage has developed well. Currently, 1.5 hectares of 3-year-old oranges are preparing to harvest about 5 tons of oranges, worth 200 - 300 million VND.

"Before 2015, my family grew cassava and sugarcane, but then found it ineffective so we switched to growing oranges. Thanks to the district agricultural extension department's policy of following VietGAP and receiving fertilizer support, the oranges are now bearing fruit in the third year," said Mr. Nguyen Ba Lam.

Staff from the Quy Hop Agricultural Extension Station regularly visit the garden to provide guidance on care techniques following VietGAP guidelines. Photo:Phan Giang

In 2011, the area of ​​orange trees in Quy Hop was only over 1,100 hectares, now it has reached over 2,500 hectares. The area of ​​orange trees has grown "hotly", many households grow dozens of hectares of oranges but mainly grow them according to traditional experience, so the quality of oranges that meet the standards is not much; the trees are susceptible to pests and diseases, leading to the use of varieties, care processes, pesticides, and growth stimulants being common, with no uniformity in orange gardens.

Therefore, people are being encouraged by the Agriculture sector in general and the People's Committee of Quy Hop district in particular to grow oranges according to VietGAP process.

According to Ms. Truong Thi Lai - Deputy Head of the Quy Hop District Agricultural Extension Station, in 2011 and 2012, the Station successfully built intensive orange growing models following VietGAP standards in Minh Hop commune with high efficiency.

This year 2017, the Station has built the next VietGAP orange model in Chau Dinh commune and supported part of the funding, fertilizer materials and instructions on how to use plant protection drugs; currently the oranges are growing well, through this model, people can learn and replicate widely.

Mr. Nguyen Ba Lam is happy to have an income of 200-300 million VND from growing oranges. Photo: Phan Giang

In order to gradually move towards clean, quality orange products in the district, in 2016, Quy Hop district had a project "Developing Quy Hop orange material areas towards commodity production in the period of 2016 - 2020 and the following years" in 6 communes including Minh Hop, Nghia Xuan, Chau Dinh, Van Loi, Ha Son and Tam Hop.

These are localities located on fertile basalt red soil with a tradition of growing orange trees. The total budget for implementing the project is expected to be about 650 billion VND, allocated from capital sources from the budget, enterprises, foreign investment capital and mobilized from the people. The project aims at a closed orange production process from seed selection to product processing and bringing to market.

The effectiveness of VietGAP orange growing models has initially changed farmers' awareness and old production habits. Encourage farmers to build Vinh orange brand in Quy Hop according to VietGAP standards.

Phan Giang