Building the Quỳnh Liên chayote brand.

(Baonghean) - The people of Quynh Luu often call Quynh Lien commune the "kingdom" of chayote. Chayote is everywhere, from fences stretching from one house to another to vast green fields as far as the eye can see... During the harvest season, along the inter-commune road, trucks with license plates 29, 30, 31, and 37 are always waiting to load the produce.

Although only developed about a decade ago, chayote cultivation now accounts for over 60% of the total vegetable crop area in the commune; from 79 hectares planted in 2010, it increased to 100 hectares in 2012, with farmers selling nearly 300 tons of fruit on average every day... Mr. Ho Duc Nghia, Chairman of the People's Committee of Quynh Lien commune, said: The entire commune has nearly 300 hectares of agricultural land.

Chayote from Quynh Lien has become a source of fresh vegetables for the Hanoi market.

Previously, the main crops grown were peanuts and sweet potatoes, then climbing beans, cucumbers, carrots, tomatoes, etc., but the yield and efficiency were still not high. In the 2003 winter-spring season, 4-5 households in the commune spontaneously brought chayote seeds from the North to try planting them in their gardens. Unexpectedly, the variety suited the soil and yielded an income 4-5 times higher than other crops. Seeing this, the villagers followed suit, and the area planted with chayote quickly expanded throughout the commune. By 2009, with funding from the CRS project, Quynh Lien commune sent officials to Hanoi to find markets. Thanks to this, Quynh Lien chayote products reached and were accepted by 4 wholesale markets (Dich Vong, Long Bien, Thuong Tin - Hanoi) as a clean vegetable. This created momentum for the people of Quynh Lien to turn chayote into a local cash crop.

Chayote is an agricultural product with a long harvesting period; once planted, it can be harvested for 4 months. Planting begins in August (intercropped with vegetables), and after harvesting the vegetables, the soil around the base of the plants is mounded. If the weather is favorable, it will bear fruit until the end of March (lunar calendar), with harvesting every 2-3 days. Although the price of chayote is often unstable, reaching 4,000-5,000 VND/kg at the beginning of the season, it can sometimes drop to only 500 VND/kg during peak season. In 2012, the highest price was only half of the previous year (2,000 VND/kg), and during peak sales it was only 1,000 VND/kg. However, with continuous harvesting, the yield consistently reaches 100-120 tons/ha, and there are no concerns about market demand, so the average income remains significantly higher than other crops. Chayote plants are characterized by their preference for moisture, ease of care, and low susceptibility to pests and diseases. Investing in planting 1 hectare of chayote costs approximately 6 million VND, including 3 million VND for stakes, concrete, and wire, but these can be used for 4-5 years. Currently, there are over 200 households growing chayote in the entire commune, with the highest concentration in Hamlet 4 (covering over 30 hectares). Currently, Quỳnh Liên chayote products are available in markets in Hanoi, Hue, Da Nang, and other cities.

Although chayote cultivation is a highly profitable crop, its development in Quynh Lien commune is still largely unregulated. In the spring of 2012 alone, the chayote acreage increased by 21 hectares compared to 2010, yielding over ten thousand tons annually. However, the entire commune has yet to establish a cooperative to oversee procurement; currently, there are only four service groups specializing in collecting and distributing the product. Farmers often have to deliver their produce to these collection groups first, and only after deducting transportation costs and a commission do they determine the price. This inevitably leads to farmers being manipulated and pressured by traders. Furthermore, Quynh Lien chayote has yet to penetrate supermarket chains because it lacks a brand and proof of origin," said Mr. Le Van Dong, from Hamlet 6, Quynh Lien commune – one of the local traders specializing in collecting chayote.

Mr. Nguyen Van Binh, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Quynh Lien commune, said: "Since the beginning of March 2012, the commune has introduced chayote products online through the website: RausachQuynhlien.gov.vn. Thanks to this website, Chinese traders have learned about the product and come to the locality to access the market through service organizations to purchase chayote."

Although exports to China require products to have attractive packaging, be individually packaged (packaging provided by China), and the selling price is only equal to the domestic market price, payment is made in advance via bank account before goods are collected, so traders and people are very enthusiastic. Currently, the commune has submitted a proposal to the District Department of Agriculture and the Department of Science and Technology requesting support in registering a trademark and labeling the "Quynh Lien chayote" product.

Hopefully, Quynh Lien will soon build a brand for this type of clean vegetable, helping farmers stabilize production.

Ngoc Anh