In Quảng Ngãi Province, specifically in the mountainous Sơn Tây District, Siamese banana farmers are experiencing a period of economic upliftment due to high selling prices and a stable market. This prosperity has led to an expansion in banana cultivation areas, with an emphasis on scientific and technical methodologies to enhance productivity and quality.
The shift in focus towards bananas comes after the crop was previously undervalued due to market volatility. Since early 2024, the Sơn Bua Agricultural Forestry Production and Trading Services Cooperative has been procuring the district's bananas for processing into products like wine, dried bananas, and syrup, marking a significant turnaround. The cooperative's director, Lê Thị Ánh, highlighted Sơn Tây's potential for banana farming, which was hindered by market access challenges, prompting a VNĐ5 billion investment in a processing plant.
This facility now purchases an average of five tonnes of bananas daily from local farmers, who find the crop easy to cultivate and profitable. The cooperative's efforts include guiding organic farming practices and planning production to ensure a consistent raw material supply. The establishment of the processing plant has not only stabilized the market for Siamese bananas but also facilitated job creation and supported the district in obtaining a three-star OCOP certification for its banana products. Plans are underway to expand banana farming in Sơn Bua and Sơn Liên communes, aiming to secure the supply chain and elevate local incomes.
Source: vietnamnews.vn