Growing pink bananas in Chan village

(Baonghean) - While many localities have implemented the model of growing red bananas with poor efficiency due to inadequate protection and care, in Chan village, Thach Giam commune (Tuong Duong), the model of growing red bananas has brought high efficiency. This model was implemented by Thach Giam commune from the capital of the New Rural Development Program, covering an area of ​​3 hectares, with an investment of 170 million VND, with 23 households participating...

Arriving at Chan village, the locals enthusiastically led us to see the pink banana growing model. Before our eyes, the pink banana gardens were growing very well, with bright green leaves, carefully cared for by the locals. Each banana garden was fenced off with sturdy sticks and barbed wire. Hundreds of banana trees were planted in straight rows, each tree was taller than a person, many of them were producing bunches. At the base of the trees, there were already a few young trees sprouting. Between each row of bananas, the locals also planted short-term crops.

Mr. Lo Van Thuong, one of 23 households implementing this model, confided: Previously, this land was planted with local cassava and bananas. But because there was no fence, buffaloes, cows, and pigs came in to destroy it. Since the model was established, his family has planted 300 pink banana trees, with the State supporting seedlings, fertilizers, and barbed wire, all they had to do was put in the effort and stakes. When planted, the banana trees were only a little over a hand span, but thanks to proper care and planting techniques, with a distance of 2 m between trees and 2.5 m between rows, 100% of the trees survived and grew strongly. Seeing that the banana trees were still small when they were first planted, and there was still a lot of vacant land, he intercropped with peanuts and sweet potatoes, not expecting this method to bring double benefits.

The banana garden of Ms. Le Thi Luyen's family has bloomed. Photo: Ho Phuong

Ms. Le Thi Luyen, who also participated in the banana growing model, happily added: This is the first time my family has grown pink bananas. I found this type of banana easy to grow, easy to care for, and grows well, and I have not seen any pests or diseases. The tree trunk is not big, but it produces long bunches and many fruits. Almost every day, I am present in the banana garden to take care of it by clearing the grass and adding soil to the base. If any banana bush grows too many sprouts, I dig out the small, weak plants, leaving the big, strong sprouts. Growing bananas, combined with intercropping with other short-term crops, in addition to making use of the agricultural land area, also maximizes the efficiency of the crop, bringing income to the people...

The most worrying thing for households growing pink bananas is the market for their products? Thousands of banana trees at first, after 2-3 years, the number of banana trees will increase many times (because banana shoots grow strongly, each banana bush can have 3-4 large banana trees). At that time, if there is no stable market, it will certainly cause a deadlock for this banana product?!

Xuan Hoang