"Rich tree" in Bac Giang land

With more than a decade of experience, Mr. Quy is proud to be one of the pioneers in bringing pineapple to Luc Nam. From 5 hectares of hilly land, his family planted about 160,000 pineapple trees, harvesting 80,000 trees each year, the rest are intercropped to ensure continuous output. In 2021, the Covid-19 pandemic caused many agricultural products to be unable to be sold, but Mr. Quy was still able to bring pineapples to the market thanks to timely support from the local government. This year, pineapple prices increased, ranging from 12,000 to 16,000 VND/kg, his family estimated a profit of about 600 million VND. Talking about the secret to success, according to him, it lies in the experience of choosing the best pineapple cuttings for propagation and taking care of the plants with the right techniques. From the early days of having to borrow money from the bank to invest, up to now, the family has built a spacious house and a prosperous life. "Not only my family, many households in the commune also have a prosperous economy thanks to pineapples," Mr. Quy shared, his eyes sparkling with pride.

Pineapple is not only a source of income but also a symbol of agricultural transformation in many localities in Bac Giang province. With the characteristics of being easy to grow, having few pests and diseases and being suitable for barren hills, pineapple has turned seemingly difficult-to-cultivate lands into valuable resources. The whole province currently has more than 700 hectares, concentrated in Luc Nam and Lang Giang districts with prominent communes such as Bao Son, Huong Son and Tam Di. The average yield is 35-40 tons/ha, even up to 50 tons/ha in intensive farming areas.

In Bao Son commune, Luc Nam district, pineapple is considered a "rich tree". The whole commune has about 300 hectares, of which 170 hectares are harvested year-round, concentrated in the villages of Dong Cong, Ho Son, Quat Son, Hue Van 2. Thanks to the application of crop spreading techniques, farmers can harvest pineapple from March to September, even all year round, ensuring stable output and high economic value. In 2024, the total pineapple output of Luc Nam district is estimated to reach 15-17 thousand tons, bringing in revenue of more than 100 billion VND for the local people.

Huong Son Commune, Lang Giang District is also a bright spot. With nearly 200 hectares of pineapple, of which 50% meet VietGAP standards, Huong Son produces more than 4,000 tons of pineapple each year, earning a profit of about 25 billion VND. The family of Mr. Tran Van Tuyen, Kep 11 village is a typical example. From 3 hectares of pineapple, he and his wife earn a profit of about 500 million VND each year without having to hire workers. Mr. Tuyen shared: “Choosing good varieties and handling off-season crops are the keys to success. Now that the pineapples are ripe, traders come to the garden to buy them, we just need to focus on taking care of them.”

The development of pineapple cultivation in Bac Giang cannot be without the role of local authorities and organizations. Since 2014, Luc Nam pineapple has been recognized by the Intellectual Property Office ( Ministry of Science and Technology ) as a collective trademark "Luc Nam sweet pineapple". In 2017, 15 hectares of pineapple of Luc Nam Pineapple Cooperative in Dong Cong village, Bao Son commune were granted VietGAP certification. By 2024, the "Lang Giang pineapple" brand will also be recognized, opening up opportunities for wider product promotion.

The authorities of Luc Nam and Lang Giang districts have implemented many programs to support farmers, from providing seeds and fertilizers to providing guidance on farming techniques according to VietGAP standards. Cooperatives such as Huong Son clean pineapple and Luc Nam pineapple play a role as a bridge, linking farmers with the market. In particular, putting pineapple on e-commerce platforms such as Postmart.vn and Voso.vn has helped products reach consumers quickly, reducing dependence on traditional traders. Chairman of the Farmers' Association of Bao Son commune, Duong Ngoc Vuong, said: "The commune's community digital technology team has supported farmers to put pineapple on e-commerce platforms. Although it is still new, this is a big step forward, helping Bao Son pineapple become more widely known." In addition, trade promotion programs, field workshops and digital skills training have also been implemented, helping farmers get acquainted with modern sales methods.

In the future, pineapple in Bac Giang promises to continue to be a driving force for agricultural economic development. With an increasingly expanding planting area, improved productivity and quality thanks to the application of science and technology, pineapple not only meets domestic demand but also has export potential. The brands "Luc Nam sweet pineapple" and "Lang Giang pineapple" will be a lever for the product to reach further, affirming its position in the market. Notably, the local government is orienting to combine agriculture with experiential tourism. The vast pineapple hills in Bao Son have become an attractive destination for domestic and foreign tourists. Bao Son commune is researching and building an agricultural tourism model, allowing tourists to visit, pick pineapples and learn about the production process; not only helping to increase income but also contributing to promoting the culture and people of Bac Giang. In addition, scientists are also researching the use of pineapple waste, such as Associate Professor Duong Minh Hai's research on turning pineapple leaves into biological aerogels, opening up a new direction in sustainable development. If commercialized, this technology will help Bac Giang optimize the value chain from pineapples to fruits to leaves, minimizing waste and protecting the environment.

DANG GIANG

Source: https://nhandan.vn/cay-lam-giau-tren-vung-dat-bac-giang-post888464.html