Thuan An district’s authority just proposed plan to improve orchards in 6 villages along Saigon river bank to save mangosteen, durian, langsat, and jackfruit from contaminated water sources.

 

The area of orchards in Thuan An is accounted for about 1,478ha or 41.17% of the region, mainly located at An Son, Hung Dinh, Binh Nham, An Thanh, and parts of Lai Thieu and Vinh Phu. However, the area is threaten by environment and contaminated water. In the face of this, Thuan An district’s Economic Chamber has proposed implementation of scientific advancement  to improve quality of fruits within 5 years from 2006 to 2010.

 

 

New techniques will help farmers to improve production of orchards. By Quoc Chien

 

The core of this project consists of planting and fertilizing techniques in accordance with mapped climate regions and territory as well as characteristics of plants. Accordingly, in 2006, the project is implemented to 227 households covering 45.2 hectares, costing over VND 28 million while in 2007, the area is extended to 47 ha of over VND 30 million supported.

 

Under Decision No. 106 of People’s Committee on supporting policies for orchard recovery, Thuan An authority has distributed fertilizer for over 329 ha of plants at the cost of over VND 700 million. In 2010, the project is planned to support over  291 ha in An Son, Hung Dinh, Binh Nhan, and An Thanh at the cost of over VND 1 billion.

 

The said project is preliminarily effective as farmers are able to access new techniques. In the end of 2007 and beginning of 2008, production is maintained at 5-8% higher than normal planting techniques despite bad weather.

 

In surveys of Thuan An Economic Chamber, orchards administered with 3rd-stage fertilizer can sustain flood better.

 

Application of new techniques has improve economic value. Meanwhile, along with the district’s authority efforts, the provincial projects for improvement of orchards has also helped to set up areas for tourism. Other techniques in terms of water and waste treatments are to be maintained.

 

Reported by K. Tan – Translated by Vi Bao