In Tiền Giang Province, efforts are underway to enhance stakeholder collaboration in pineapple cultivation and trading. Tân Phước District, located in the Đồng Tháp Mười region, boasts the largest pineapple-growing area in the Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta, with nearly 15,400 hectares yielding 300,000 tons annually.
The district promotes partnerships among 18 agricultural cooperatives to stabilize sales and pricing. The Phú Mỹ Agriculture, Trading, and Services Cooperative in Phú Mỹ Commune exemplifies this approach. Nguyễn Thành Hiển, the cooperative's director, highlighted a contract with the Minh Hùng trading establishment, offering members a purchase price of approximately $0.02 per kilogram above market rates.
Tân Phước supports farmers in adopting Vietnamese Good Agricultural Practices (VietGAP), with 134 hectares currently certified. Pineapple-based product diversification, including candy and juice, aims to increase added value for domestic and international markets. Trần Hoàng Phong, chairman of the district People's Committee, noted that these initiatives have generated jobs and increased fruit value, aiding local income improvement.
The district has designated specialized pineapple-growing zones in communes such as Hưng Thạnh and Mỹ Phước. These areas, despite challenging soil conditions, are suitable for pineapple cultivation. Local farmers find pineapple relatively easy to grow, requiring minimal maintenance. Bùi Hữu Thiện of Phú Mỹ Commune expanded his farm from three to 20 hectares over 15 years, citing stable cultivation and consistent pricing.
Investments in farming infrastructure, including embankments and electric pumping stations, protect and irrigate 15,400 hectares of pineapple. Farmers receive training in advanced techniques, enhancing yield and quality. Nguyễn Văn Diện of Mỹ Phước Town, employing intensive farming methods, achieves a yield of 25 tons per hectare, earning approximately $19,600 annually and providing employment for local workers.
In the first two months of this year, nearly 4,000 tons of pineapple were harvested, and sold at approximately $0.28 per fruit, generating $5,600 to $6,400 per hectare.
Source: Viet Nam News
