The secret to growing red-fleshed dragon fruit that earns hundreds of millions each year from an old farmer in Nghe An
(Baonghean.vn) - Although the weather this year is not favorable, with hot weather and little rain at the beginning of the season, thanks to being grown using Japanese technology, dragon fruit in Do Luong (Nghe An) is always heavy with fruit.
These days, Mr. Dang Anh Tuan's family in Hamlet 7, Xuan Son Commune, Do Luong District is always busy with the work of harvesting red-fleshed dragon fruit. Particularly in the area planted using new Japanese technology, the yield is 3 times higher than that of traditional planting methods.
Mr. Tuan said: “This is the third time in 2019 that the family has harvested dragon fruit. Of these 1.3 hectares, 0.3 hectares were grown using Japanese technology and have harvested 5 tons of fruit. The remaining 1 hectare harvested 6 tons of fruit because it is still grown using traditional methods.”
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| Dragon fruit garden of Mr. Dang Anh Tuan's family in hamlet 7, Xuan Son commune, Do Luong. Photo: Ngoc Phuong |
Dragon fruit grown using Japanese technology in Mr. Tuan's family garden is different from the traditional way of growing, which is dragon fruit planted in long rows, 0.8m apart, with an automatic watering system. Fertilization only uses organic fertilizers, supplemented with imported foliar fertilizers to increase the sweetness of the fruit. Growing using this method will yield much higher yields, because the land area is saved compared to dragon fruit planted in columns 3m apart.
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| Mr. Tuan's family's red-fleshed dragon fruit garden is laden with fruit. Photo: Ngoc Phuong |
Mr. Tuan added: Dragon fruit is usually harvested 6 times, 1 time each month before the first day of the month. This year is the 4th year the family has harvested red-fleshed dragon fruit on an area of 1.3 hectares. With a price of 25,000 VND/kg, the family earns nearly 200 million VND/year after deducting costs for materials, fertilizers, etc. Red-fleshed dragon fruit is easy to grow, has few pests and diseases, and is suitable for the climate and soil conditions of Do Luong district, so the quality is good.
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| Dragon fruit garden grown using Japanese technology with drip irrigation system, roots only 0.8m apart. Photo: Ngoc Phuong |
The most important thing to note when planting red-fleshed dragon fruit is to ensure that the land is not sloping but has good drainage. The tree's water needs are very high, so it is necessary to drill a well or have a sufficient water source.
For each dragon fruit tree, Mr. Tuan's family usually leaves only 5-6 main branches, each branch has 4-5 branches, each branch leaves 3-4 fruits/batch. It is calculated that each red-fleshed dragon fruit tree can yield 5-7kg of fruit/batch, equivalent to 100-150 thousand VND/batch. On average, red-fleshed dragon fruit gives 6 batches/year, each tree brings in an income of 700 thousand VND.
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| Red dragon fruit usually has 4-5 branches per tree. Photo: Ngoc Phuong |
The successful cultivation of red-fleshed dragon fruit using Japanese technology not only brings high income to Mr. Tuan's family but also creates safe, high-quality, sweet and delicious products. This model is implemented under a project of the Department of Science and Technology and the Do Luong Agricultural Extension Station. From the effectiveness of the model, it is necessary to replicate it in localities to increase farmers' income.