An effective model

Pham Van Hoang, chairman of Bach Dang commune People’s Committee said that one of agricultural production models bringing high efficiency at the locality is the model of grapefruit growing on VietGap standards. Visiting Nguyen Huu Tam’s grapefruit garden in Dieu Hoa hamlet, he said that grapefruit planting on VietGap standards not only brings high quality products but ensures food safety and hygiene. In addition, cultivation technique on VietGap standards brings high efficiency, reduces investment expense and labor.

With production on VietGap standards plus the trademark of Bach Dang grapefruit, value of grapefruits grown in the commune has been improved significantly, bringing a 30-40% increase of income for local grapefruit growers.

VietGap standard grapefruit gardens to be expanded

Bach Dang commune People’s Committee chairman Ngo Van Hai said that the entire commune now has about 300 grapefruit growing households, 5 of which have implemented the VietGap model. Aside from Nguyen Huu Tam’s 0.35ha grapefruit garden, there are Duong Van Minh’s 0.47ha grapefruit garden, Ngo Van Dung, 0.80ha one, Pham Van Sang’s 0.55ha one and Pham Minh Phat’s 1.4ha one.

Hai added “Right in the first crop in early 2011, the 5 mentioned grapefruit growing households reached the VietGap standards. Farmers following the model of VietGap standards will enjoy a production process of clean grapefruits. However, the number of households following the VietGap standards in the commune remains low. As such, the model should be expanded to help local farmers improve production value and income”.

Do Cao Rin in Binh Hung hamlet is one of local farmers completing training course on VietGap standard grapefruit production. Rin revealed that joining in the course, he learns more about damage of pesticide abuse, impacting badly on human health and environment. And the most important thing, he learns about the standards’ efficiency of saving costs of fertilizer, pesticide, increasing capacity and efficiency. Rin’s 1.2ha grapefruit garden is one of gardens under VietGap standard production projects 2013 held by Tan Uyen district.

Bach Dang commune Farmers’ Society chairman Ngo Van Hai said that Bach Dang commune would in the coming time expand VietGap standard grapefruit planting to uphold its efficiency and bring economic interests for local farmers. To implement this goal, Bach Dang has sent 20 farmers to training classes. In addition, the society will cooperate with functional agencies to equip local farmers with knowledge on safe and effective grapefruit production.

Reported by H.Thuan – Translated by A.C