Linking '4 houses' opens up economic development direction

(Baonghean) -Tuong Duong district proactively strengthens the connection of "4 houses" to develop the socio-economy in mountainous border communes, especially difficult areas such as Nhon Mai, Mai Son, Tam Hop... The work began when passion fruit trees "fell in love" with this land...

From the pilot plants

Arriving at Tham Tham village, where 8 households were selected to pilot the passion fruit model nearly 2 years ago, we were truly captivated by the fruit-laden lemon vines and the enthusiastic working atmosphere of the Mong people.

Tuong Duong district leaders visited the passion fruit model of Mr. Va Ba Ka in Tham Tham village (Nhon Mai). Photo: Dang Nguyen

Va Ba Ka's passion fruit garden of 269 trees was planted at the end of 2015. The first crop yielded over 100 million VND, much higher than traditional crops such as corn, rice, peach, plum, etc. Therefore, this year his family converted most of the swidden area to grow passion fruit with nearly 500 trees. Seeing the effectiveness, from the initial 8 pilot planting households, up to now, Tham Tham village has 18/20 households planting, with over 18 hectares.

Mr. Luong Xuan Hiep - Chairman of Nhon Mai Commune People's Committee said that the gently sloping hillsides that have been barren for years of growing corn and rice are now being replaced by passion fruit trees that bring high income, so people are very excited. After Tham Tham, up to now, Huoi Co, Xoi Voi, Na Hy... have also implemented, bringing the total area of ​​passion fruit growing in the whole commune to 40.5 hectares.

In Huoi Son village, Tam Hop commune, Mr. Xong Ba Xu's family is one of 13 households in the village that received the first season of passion fruit planting. He said: "At first, when I registered to grow passion fruit, I was worried, but I was able to learn from experience, especially when participating in planting, I was supported by local authorities and businesses with funding and seedlings, so my family was determined to put in the effort, prepare the land to form a passion fruit garden of nearly 200 trees." Up to now, the trees are 70 - 80 cm high, and it will not be harvested until September. According to Mr. Xu's calculations, if the weather is favorable, his family will earn over 70 million VND.

Linking "4 houses" for sustainable development

Not only is it considered a poverty-reducing plant, passion fruit has really changed the backward production habits, self-sufficiency, the mindset of waiting and relying, which was once considered a "stronghold" that seemed impossible to change for the people, instead is the consciousness of rising up, the mindset of producing goods. From poverty, many households have truly become "bosses" not only because of the income of hundreds of millions of dong, but also because they have a team of workers. Thanks to the good income from passion fruit, the situation of illegal migration, going far away to work, and slash-and-burn farming has decreased significantly.

Passion fruit grown on Tuong Duong land is assessed by Nafoods Passion Fruit Joint Stock Company as having high quality. Photo: D.N

Mr. Nguyen Van Hai - Chairman of Tuong Duong District People's Committee excitedly said: For many years, the district has sought solutions to promote socio-economic development for remote and border communes, but has not yet found a suitable direction. After the research and survey process, we chose to develop passion fruit trees. This is a completely reasonable direction, because the conditions in the planning areas have large slopes, cold climates, and soil suitable for growing passion fruit. Currently, Tay Nghe An road has been opened, which is very convenient for people to trade, as well as connect raw material areas in the area such as Tri Le commune (Que Phong) and some communes in Ky Son district...

Tuong Duong district has made breakthroughs in management and operation, focusing on implementing the "4-house" linkage right from the pilot model. The district has worked with Nafoods Passion Fruit Joint Stock Company, a strong unit in the field of passion fruit export, mainly to the European market. According to the linkage program, the company is responsible for planting techniques, care, providing pesticides, investing in seeds and purchasing all products from farmers, with a minimum price of 9,000 VND/kg.

Along with that, the district established a steering committee, assigning responsibilities to each organization and individual to coordinate with businesses and farmers to implement. In addition, promoting propaganda work for people to understand the policies of the province and district in planting passion fruit. At the same time, organizing for participating households, village, commune leaders to visit and learn from experiences, helping people see firsthand the economic efficiency as well as the techniques of growing passion fruit.

Dang Nguyen