Nghe An: Unique cultivation of papaya for export to Taiwan

(Baonghean.vn) - Tan Thang commune is the only locality in Quynh Luu district (Nghe An) that grows So trees.Currently, this local branch is present in Taiwan and China markets.

Mr. Phan Dinh's family in hamlet 26/3, Tan Thang commune has 6.7 hectares of solanum. Mr. Dinh said: Solanum is a perennial plant, with a lifespan of up to 70 years, very easy to grow, suitable for all weather conditions. Each year, only need to fertilize with NPK fertilizer once and weed twice. If well cared for, the yield can reach 2 tons/ha.

After harvesting, traders in Nghia Dan district and Thanh Hoa province come to buy at prices ranging from 10,000 - 12,000 VND/kg. However, in recent years, the seeds have been purchased by people and transported to China and Taiwan for sale, so the price has increased to 25,000 VND/kg; after deducting all costs from fertilizer and labor, his family earns a profit of 200 million VND per year.

The entire Tan Thang commune currently has 30 hectares of sugarcane, bringing in about 1.5 billion VND each year for the locality. Photo: Hong Dien

The entire Tan Thang commune currently has 30 hectares of casuarina trees planted under a project on forestry land, while some areas belong to the employees of Quynh Luu Forestry Company, which was sold to households after its dissolution. This is a type of tree that only needs to be planted once and bears fruit regularly for decades, so it brings high economic value.

In addition, the So tree also has the effect of keeping the soil moist, protecting the environment, water resources and also providing very good protection. Therefore, to maintain the current So forest, for low-yielding trees, households cut them horizontally and take care of the trees until they sprout, and after 3 years they continue to bear fruit. Every year in November and December, the So fruit ripens, falls to the ground and cracks the seeds themselves, then families hire workers, especially create conditions for schools to collect seeds to help them raise funds for activities.

The flowers and fruits of the Sophora japonica plant look similar to those of the green tea plant. Photo: Hong Dien

According to local people, the fruit has never been in stock; traders buy it right away after harvest to press for cooking oil, and the pulp is used to make soap. Currently, the fruit has expanded to foreign markets, so the price is very high, peaking at 28,000 VND/kg. Each year, the locality sells about 60 tons of fruit, worth 1.5 billion VND; growing fruit is economically effective, so some households have proactively sown seeds to expand the area.

According to Mr. Phan Tien Dung - Chairman of Tan Thang Commune People's Committee: Sophora trees bring good income to some local households. Therefore, the commune continues to encourage people to increase care and supplement nutrients for the trees. At the same time, research and introduce sophora varieties with large seeds, many fruits, high yield and quality to the area to expand the area.

When the ripe fruit falls to the ground, after the seeds dry and separate, the grower hires workers to pick up the seeds. Photo: Hong Dien

Currently, households in Tan Thang commune are paying attention to the care and protection of the So tree because it not only helps people eliminate hunger and reduce poverty, but according to them, it also has some uses such as the roots are used to treat stomach pain, sprains; the roots and bark combined are used to treat sprained feet... so it is very convenient when necessary./.

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