Vietnam: Red dragonfruit trial proves fruitful
Farmers Tran Cam planted the trees in April 2010 and has now seen sales worth over $950 - 50% of which has been profit - in just two harvests, from his 500 tree orchard.
Cam participated in the project along with five other farmers. Altogether the red dragonfruit was cultivated over 5,000 sq. M.
Tran Huu Nhan, head of the district's Agriculture and Rural Development Bureau, said that the province provided an environment favoured by the fruit for growing. The bureau implemented the project, providing the participating farmers with training as well as 60% of the capital required.
In addition, the district bought 1,500 dragonfruit stem cuttings from neighbouring Binh Thuan Province to provide to participating farmers.
At a meeting with the bureau recently there were calls from growers to expand the project to help provide local farmers with a more stable income.
The red dragonfruit takes only 2 years to mature and will produce fruit for up to 20 years.
Source: vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn
