The red bean capital of Nam Anh suffers crop failure.

While last year the Nam Anh persimmon trees were laden with fruit (above photo), this year many trees only have a few scattered fruits (below photo). Photo: Thanh Phuc

If this time last year, the people in the communes...Nam Anh, Nam XuanWhile it's usually the peak season for persimmon harvesting, with traders flocking to orchards to buy them, this year, the area considered the "persimmon capital" is quite deserted. "The persimmon crop has failed badly; there's nothing to sell. It's the peak harvest season, but the quantity of persimmons is so meager that even though many orchard owners have received deposits from customers, they have to return the money because they don't have any to sell. For example, last year, my family's orchard of over 100 persimmon trees yielded about 3 tons of fruit, but this year, we only got about a third of that, and many trees only produced 10-15 kg," said Mr. Tran Nam (Nam Anh commune).

In the Mai and Nua valleys of Nam Anh commune, the orchards that were once covered in the golden color of persimmon trees, with trees laden with fruit, are now bare, with only a few scattered fruits remaining. Many orchards considered to be doing better have only achieved half the yield compared to 2021.

Despite being in the peak harvest season, persimmon orchards in Nam Anh have run out of persimmons to sell to traders. Photo: Thanh Phuc

"From 2018 to 2020,Rose crop failure"The crop was heavy, and some years we lost everything. Last year, the weather was more favorable, and proper care allowed the persimmon trees to 'hibernate' for a sufficient amount of time, resulting in abundant, large, and beautiful fruit. However, it coincided with the complicated Covid-19 pandemic, so the price of persimmons was only relatively stable. This year, while the price of persimmons is high and sales are favorable, the crop has failed, causing persimmon growers in Nam Anh to suffer losses. It is estimated that the total persimmon production in the commune will only reach about 200-250 tons, more than half less than last year," said Mr. Ho Viet Hoa, Chairman of the Farmers' Association of Nam Anh commune.

Not only in Nam Anh, but also in Nam Xuan, 50 hectares of persimmon orchards belonging to over 100 households are facing the same crop failure. While those with scattered orchards still have some fruit, the persimmon orchards on the hills have seen a sharp decline in yield, only half of what it was last year.

Persimmon prices have risen compared to previous years, and they are easy to sell, but people in Nam Dan, the persimmon capital, are unhappy because of a poor harvest. Photo: Thanh Phuc

"Not only has the yield decreased, but the quality of persimmons is also not as good as in previous years. The fruits are smaller, the color is worse, and many trees are not yet mature enough but have already rotted due to insect damage," said Mr. Ho Viet Thang, the owner of a persimmon orchard in Nam Xuan.

Currently, the purchase pricerosePersimmon prices in the orchards range from 15,000-18,000 VND/kg (depending on the variety), which is 3,000-5,000 VND/kg higher than previous seasons; wholesale prices for traders reach 20,000-25,000 VND, and retail prices in markets are 30-35,000 VND/kg, yet the people in the Nam Dan persimmon growing area are still "not happy." Because with these prices, while in a good year each persimmon tree could yield 2-2.5 million VND, this year, due to reduced yield, even the most productive trees only yield 40-50kg of fruit, resulting in only half the income of the previous year.

According to traders, despite numerous orders from dealers in other provinces and high purchase prices, the production of Nam Dan persimmons has decreased, resulting in insufficient supply. Photo: Thanh Phuc

Ms. Sam Hoa, a major persimmon purchasing agent in Nam Anh (Nam Dan), said: “Last year, I bought about 100 tons of persimmons from farmers to export to various places, but this year, even though I contacted the orchards in advance to place deposits, due to crop failure, I estimate that I will only be able to buy about 40-50 tons throughout the entire season. It's peak harvest season, but the orchards have run out of fruit, and many orders from agents in other provinces have had to be canceled because there isn't enough persimmon to supply.”

The poor persimmon harvest not only resulted in losses for growers but also for other services such as harvesting, soaking, sorting, and transporting persimmons. "In previous years, when persimmons were abundant, we bought several tons of fruit daily, so we had to hire workers to pick, load, sort, wash, and soak them at a cost of 200-250,000 VND per day. This year, we only buy five to seven hundred kilograms a day, so family members have to manage on their own," said Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong, a persimmon trader in Nam Anh.

The poor persimmon harvest has not only resulted in losses for growers, but also left seasonal workers involved in picking, transporting, and sorting persimmons unemployed, losing a significant source of income. Photo: Thanh Phuc

“In the 2022 rose season, Nam Anh selected and developed two rose garden tourism experiences in Hamlet 6 and Hamlet 8, featuring 50 ancient rose bushes, ancient houses, and ancient wells. Simultaneously, we guided local people in implementing accompanying services such as displaying and selling local specialty products, especially OCOP products; selling entrance tickets to the gardens for sightseeing and experiences; and providing food and beverage services if needed. From this model, we will assess its feasibility and then plan to replicate beautiful rose gardens throughout the area for tourism, creating additional income for the people.”

Mr. Tran Quoc Khanh, Secretary of the Party Committee of Nam Anh commune (Nam Dan district)