Lemon trees grown 'beyond the limit' yield an income of 200 million VND/hectare.

(Baonghean.vn) - Lemon trees grown on arid land in Nghi Loc district (Nghe An province) are yielding positive results. This year's lemon crop, having overcome drought conditions, is generating an income of approximately 200 million VND per hectare.Locals say this is the most bountiful lemon harvest they've ever had.

Ms. Phan Thi Minh from Hamlet 8, Nghi Dien Commune, said: "This year's lemon harvest is bountiful and the price is good. The current selling price is 9,500 VND/kg, 1,500 VND/kg higher than last year. This year, one sao (approximately 1000 square meters) of lemon trees in my family's orchard brought in 10 million VND."

Mr. Nguyen Van Tho, residing in Hamlet 3, Nghi Cong Nam Commune, inspects his lemon orchard, which is ready for harvest.

Mr. Nguyen Van Tho's family lemon orchard in Hamlet 3, Nghi Cong Nam commune, has over 500 trees, yielding an annual income of 35-40 million VND. Since introducing lemon trees to Nghi Cong Nam, he has consistently learned from experience and techniques for fertilizing, caring for, and controlling pests and diseases.

For Mr. Tho, lemon trees not only have material value but also great significance in beautifying and protecting the environment. According to him, lemon trees provide a relatively high income because the hilly land in Nghi Cong is only suitable for lemon trees and not for growing other crops. Growing lemons requires low investment costs, tolerates drought and sun, and creates a beautiful environmental landscape.

Locals sort lemons after harvesting before selling them to traders.

Currently, Nghi Loc district has 150 hectares of lemon orchards, mainly concentrated in the communes of Nghi Dien, Nghi Cong Nam, Nghi Cong Bac, Nghi My, Nghi Phuong, Nghi Kieu, Nghi Van, and Nghi Dong. Thanks to the suitable soil conditions, lemons in Nghi Loc grow well, producing abundant, juicy fruit with a distinctive aroma. At current prices, one hectare of lemon trees can yield 200 million VND.

In recent years, both in-season and off-season lemons from Nghi Loc have reached consumers in many localities inside and outside the province through traders. Thanks to lemon cultivation, many families have escaped poverty.

Traders buying lemons in Nghi Loc

Mr. Nguyen Xuan Quang, Head of the Agriculture and Rural Development Department of Nghi Loc district, said: "Lemons are very suitable for the soil conditions in Nghi Loc, especially in Nghi Dien commune and other semi-mountainous communes. However, the area planted by farmers is still fragmented, so we continue to encourage farmers to utilize land more efficiently, build concentrated planting models, and organize training to transfer new scientific and technological advancements to farmers for application in order to improve crop efficiency."

Despite the harsh weather and prolonged heat, lemon trees are still considered the most effective crop by the people in the mountainous areas of Nghi Loc, helping them gradually escape poverty and rise to prosperity.

Thu Hien - Ngoc Mai

Nghi Loc Radio Station