Growing red-fleshed dragon fruit in the land of Nhut earns a profit of over 250 million VND/ha

Ms. Tran Thi Hoa (Bac Son hamlet, Thanh Mai commune) harvests red-fleshed dragon fruit. Photo: Huu Thinh

After 4 years of converting 1 hectare of industrial tea land to grow red-fleshed dragon fruit, Ms. Tran Thi Hoa's family in Bac Son hamlet, Thanh Mai commune, Thanh Chuong district has a much higher income.

Ms. Hoa said: Red-fleshed dragon fruit is an easy-to-grow plant, suitable for local climate and soil conditions, so it has high yield and good quality. With 600 trees for harvest, this year, each harvest my family harvested nearly 1 ton, with the garden price of 25,000 - 30,000 VND/kg; income reached over 250 million VND.

Mr. Nguyen Van Nham is a farmer with a lot of experience growing red-fleshed dragon fruit in Thanh Mai commune, Thanh Chuong. He said: Every year, red-fleshed dragon fruit trees yield about 8 harvests, concentrated from April to October. Of which, 5 harvests have many fruits and 3 harvests have few fruits. On average, each dragon fruit tree usually yields 15 - 20 kg.

On average, each dragon fruit tree usually yields 15 - 20kg. Photo: Huu Thinh

According to Mr. Nham, to grow red-fleshed dragon fruit with high yield and good quality, proper care techniques are needed. Growing dragon fruit requires concrete pillars for the tree to climb, each pillar should have 3-4 seedlings. The distance between the trees is 2.5m and they should be planted in a dry place with lots of sunlight.

This is also a plant that likes high humidity but cannot tolerate waterlogging, so it is necessary to make trenches to prevent flooding, water regularly, and mulch the roots. Dragon fruit trees need to be cared for, weeded, and fertilized regularly (using manure, limiting nitrogen fertilizer); and have branches and flowers pruned at the right time.

Implementing the policy of converting seasonal crop structure to increase value per unit area, Thanh Mai commune people have planted many new fruit varieties such as oranges, grapefruits... but red-fleshed dragon fruit is the crop that brings the highest economic efficiency.

Mr. Ha Quang Nam - Vice Chairman of Thanh Mai Commune People's Committee, Thanh Chuong District said: Currently, the whole commune has 2 models of growing red dragon fruit with an area of ​​1 hectare or more. Red dragon fruit has a sweet and cool taste, eye-catching color and cooling effect on hot days, so it is favored by customers, so it is sold at a price 5-7 thousand higher than white dragon fruit. Traders often come to the growers to buy, farmers do not have to bring it to the market to sell.

Red-fleshed dragon fruit has a sweet, refreshing taste, eye-catching color and a cooling effect on hot days, making it popular with customers. Photo courtesy

Currently, Thanh Chuong district has 30 models of growing red-fleshed dragon fruit with a total area of ​​about 20 hectares; concentrated in some communes: Thanh Phong, Thanh Mai, Thanh Thuy, Thanh Lien...

Currently, red-flesh dragon fruit gardens in Thanh Chuong are bustling in the harvest season. Dragon fruit has high yield, good price, and quite stable output. From initial economic efficiency, the red-flesh dragon fruit growing model is opening up an effective economic development direction for Thanh Chuong farmers./.

Huu Thinh