Nghia Dan farmers succeed with seedless grape model

One year ago, Mr. Le Van Chuc in Moi Lap village, Nghia Yen commune brought 400 seedless grape trees (Ha Den grapes) to plant on red basalt soil for testing. Up to now, the grape trees have grown and developed well, the first fruit crop yielded an estimated over 1 ton.

Standing in the middle of the vineyard full of purple fruit clusters, Mr. Chuc smiled with satisfaction at his achievements. According to Mr. Chuc, this vineyard used to be land for growing oranges and tangerines, however, in recent years, the income from oranges and tangerines has been very unstable.

Nghia Yen commune officials visit the seedless grape model (Ha Den grapes) of Mr. Le Van Chuc's family. Photo: Minh Thai

After a long time struggling to convert crops but not effectively, through research on the media, Mr. Le Van Chuc found that the Black Summer grape variety grown in Bac Giang has high economic efficiency. To better understand this variety, he went to Bac Giang University of Agriculture and Forestry to learn and buy the variety to plant on a trial area of ​​3,000m².

From the beginning, he planted methodically and scientifically. His vineyard was invested in horizontal trellises and Y-shaped trellises along the rows. He planted rows 2.5 - 3m apart; plants 1m apart; and a transparent nylon dome was made above to limit rain, dew, and wind.

In addition to raising the beds, he also dug additional drainage ditches around the garden to avoid flooding. According to Mr. Chuc, the most important grape growing technique is that the grower must design a drainage system to prevent flooding. According to his calculations, the cost of 1 tree until harvest is about 500,000 VND. With 400 grape trees now, the capital he spent has reached nearly 200 million VND.

With access to the techniques of Bac Giang University of Agriculture and Forestry, combined with diligence and hard work, Mr. Chuc's Ha Den grape garden has grown well, with heavy branches and sweet, crunchy berries. Mr. Le Van Chuc said: "Previously, many types of crops were grown but were not effective. Seeing that the Ha Den grape trees were growing well, with the output guaranteed by Bac Giang University of Agriculture and Forestry, I boldly planted them on a trial basis and they have been really successful so far."

Through monitoring, the Ha Den grapevine has adapted well to the hot and dry climate as well as the local soil. The roots of the tree develop strongly, the leaves are large and thick, and the tree is less susceptible to common diseases in grapevines such as anthracnose, fungi, and thrips," Mr. Chuc added.

The first fruit crop yield is estimated to reach over 1 ton. Photo: Minh Thai

The Ha Den grape tree has a growth cycle of 15 - 20 years. Each year, the tree produces two harvests in March and June. Therefore, although the initial investment is quite high, the economic efficiency is long-term, saving more and more costs.

The family harvested more than 1 ton of grapes in the first harvest. Normally, this grape variety is sold in supermarkets and clean fruit stores at a price of 130,000 - 150,000 VND/kg. In the coming time, Nghia Yen commune will coordinate to build an orchard that meets OCOP standards.

Mr. Hoang Van Chuan - Vice Chairman of Nghia Yen Commune People's Committee said: "In recent years, in Nghia Yen Commune, farmers have massively converted crops, including orange and tangerine trees, which have grown strongly, leading to supply exceeding demand. Faced with farmers' difficulties, many households have boldly sought new directions, including Mr. Le Van Chuc, who has succeeded with the seedless grape model (Ha Den grapes).