Drought-resistant 'dragon tree' species brings high income in Anh Son

(Baonghean.vn)- Many households in the highlands of Nghe An still believe that red-fleshed dragon fruit is a "dragon tree" because of its ability to withstand drought and weather conditions in Western Nghe An.

Red-fleshed dragon fruit garden of Mr. Nguyen Van Binh's family in village 1, Hoa Son commune. Photo: Huyen Trang

Due to its ability to withstand and adapt to the mountainous environment and terrain, in recent years, many households in Anh Son district have conducted experimental planting of red-fleshed dragon fruit. Compared to other dragon fruit varieties, red-fleshed dragon fruit has higher weight, quality and price.

Mr. Nguyen Van Binh's family in village 1 is one of the first households in Hoa Son to grow red-fleshed dragon fruit on a large scale. Taking us to visit his garden, Mr. Binh said: In 2007, he and his wife went to Ba Ria Vung Tau province to visit and learn about dragon fruit growing models with high economic efficiency.

Through research, he learned that the red-fleshed dragon fruit variety originating from Thailand has higher productivity and quality than the white-fleshed dragon fruit variety, yielding 7-8 harvests of fruit each year. Mr. Binh brought 40 red-fleshed dragon fruit cuttings to plant on 3 sao of his garden. Thanks to proper care, after only 2 years, the dragon fruit was harvested, with large, abundant and very sweet fruit...

The second year of dragon fruit garden of Mr. Nguyen Van Thuy's family in Hoa Son commune has begun to yield harvest. Photo: Huyen Trang

Currently, Mr. Binh has propagated 200 red-fleshed dragon fruit pillars, earning an average income of 30 million VND per crop. Mr. Binh shares his experience: Dragon fruit is an easy-to-grow plant, but you should pay attention to draining water to avoid stagnation when it rains heavily; in the hot and dry season, you need to water appropriately, use grass or straw to keep the base of the tree moist. You should prune the branches so that the tree canopy spreads evenly, so that the dragon fruit can produce high-quality yield.

Not far away, the red-fleshed dragon fruit garden of Mr. Nguyen Van Thuy's family in village 5, Hoa Son commune is also blooming and bearing heavy fruit.

Talking to us, Mr. Thuy said: Implementing the policy of converting mixed gardens into fruit orchards, he boldly invested in growing red-fleshed dragon fruit. At first, due to lack of experience, the fruit set rate was low. Not discouraged, he continued to learn the techniques of growing and caring for dragon fruit. The trees did not disappoint, more than 70 dragon fruit pillars began to "give birth" to money. In addition to growing dragon fruit, he also renovated part of the mixed garden to maintain traditional trees such as grapefruit, apple, milk fruit... to increase his family's income.

The soil and climate are suitable, so the quality and productivity of red dragon fruit grown in Anh Son is not inferior to other places. Photo: Huyen Trang

According to the experience of dragon fruit growers here, the advantage of red-fleshed dragon fruit is that it is easy to care for and has few pests and diseases. However, to have high-yield dragon fruit, growers must also have technical knowledge, especially about varieties, fertilizers, watering, and how to make the tree bloom all year round. During the care process, growers must regularly prune branches and create canopy.

Dragon fruit fertilized with organic fertilizers will have a richer fruit quality. For the tree to have a place to cling and grow well, it is necessary to build or pour concrete pillars about 2m high, with a distance between pillars of 1.5 - 2m. When planting, build a mound of soil 20cm high, use rope to tie the base to prevent the tree from falling. The older the dragon fruit tree, the higher the fruit yield. Red-fleshed dragon fruit is a perennial plant, about 10 - 15 years later, it is a variety that is not picky about soil, does not require much water. On average, each year, one sao of dragon fruit brings in an income of 8-10 million VND.

Currently, the entire Hoa Son commune has 3 hectares of red dragon fruit growing area with over 15 households participating, mainly growing in garden soil. Red-fleshed dragon fruit has been and is affirming itself as a drought-resistant plant with high economic efficiency, the government and local authorities are focusing on replicating the model./.

Huyen Trang