Tra Vinh seedless lemons conquer Europe

TRA VINH Seedless lemon growing cooperative in Tra Vinh contributes to improving the lives of local people through expanding exports to the European market.

When we arrived in Huyen Hoi commune, Cang Long district, we could not miss the sight of the green lemon garden, laden with fruit next to the people’s spacious new houses. According to reports, rice and coconut farming used to be the main activity of local residents, but it did not bring significant profits. This prompted them to look for new solutions and seedless lemon trees emerged as a superior choice.

Mr. Phan Duc Tai, Director of Thanh Tri Seedless Lemon Growing Cooperative, is a pioneer in growing this tree. He researched seedless lemons extensively and explored export opportunities to Europe. Through cultivation that complies with international standards, Thanh Tri seedless lemon growing cooperative has established links between farmers and export businesses. The cooperative has signed a contract to export seedless lemons with a company in the Netherlands, an important European market, with a quantity of goods up to 100 tons per year.

Thanh Tri seedless lemon growing cooperative complies with GlobalGAP international standards and farmers participating in the cooperative enjoy prices of 10 thousand VND or more per kilogram of lemon. Furthermore, they also enjoy incentives when buying fertilizers and pesticides at preferential prices, without going through intermediaries.

Mr. Phan Duc Tai said: ” Seedless lemons have fruit that form clusters, thin skin, less acidic juice and no bitter taste. Seedless lemons are used as a beverage with a delicious smell and excellent cooling effect, so they are very popular in the market. To improve business performance, the cooperative is planning to expand economic activities by combining garden, pond, and barn models. In addition, we have cooperated with large businesses to expand okra and papaya growing activities, to create additional sources of income for members of the cooperative.”

The success of Thanh Tri seedless lemon growing cooperative has inspired other farmers. Recently, many households in Huyen Hoi commune have switched from growing coconut trees to growing seedless lemon trees. One of them is Mr. Nguyen Van Danh in Soc hamlet, who bought seeds from the cooperative and planted them on an area of ​​4,000 square meters of land.

Mr. Danh said that seedless lemon trees only need proper care for about 17 months to start bearing fruit, and planting techniques are also simpler than other types of trees. The selling price is stable from 20 – 30 thousand VND/kg in peak months, while low prices are also from 15 – 20 thousand VND/kg. He can harvest once every two weeks and his annual income reaches about 400 million VND from 4 square meters of lemon growing land (1 square meter = 1,000 square meters). Growing lemons is the most difficult part of harvesting. You have to hire workers to pick the fruit at a cost of 200,000 VND/person/day.

The success of growing seedless lemon trees in Huyen Hoi commune, Cang Long district, Tra Vinh province, is a typical example of Vietnamese farmers’ creativity and taking advantage of opportunities. Through cooperation, compliance with international standards and expanding export markets, they have achieved success and created economic benefits for the community. This story not only proves the development potential of Vietnamese agriculture but also contributes to the development of the national economy.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tung, an agricultural officer in Huyen Hoi commune, also shared that the cooperative initially encountered financial difficulties and was fortunate to receive support from the Commune People’s Committee with an amount of 30 million VND. This has played an important role in promoting the development of cooperatives. Currently, the main market of the cooperative is Europe, and this success has increased the number of members of Thanh Tri seedless lemon growing cooperative from the initial 10 households to over 100 households.

At the same time, the tree planting area has been expanded and new job opportunities have been created for local workers. The successful lemon growing model not only brings high income to many households but also contributes to improving the quality of life of the community. Farmers in the region have demonstrated their ability to adapt to changes and take advantage of new opportunities to improve their lives. Through expanding exports to Europe, Tra Vinh seedless lemons have affirmed their quality and reputation in the international market.

Nguồn: https://nongnghiep.vn/