Binh Thuan set to grow 9,800 ha of VietGAP dragon fruits in 2018

The central province of Binh Thuan will strive to grow 9,800ha of dragon fruits up to Vietnamese Good Agricultural Practice (VietGAP) standards this year, as heard a local conference hosted by the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development on January 15. 

Illustrative image - Source: VNA

Speaking at the event reviewing VietGAP dragon fruit farming, Director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Mai Kieu said Binh Thuan is now home to over 27,600ha of dragon fruits with a total capacity of around 553,000 tonnes per year, which has become a key currency earner of the province. 

As of the late 2017, Binh Thuan boasted more than 9,500ha of dragon fruits meeting VietGAP standards, accounting for 30 percent of the total with over 449 alliance teams and 9,600 farming households. Another 262ha of dragon fruits met GlobalGAP standards. 

Pham Van Nam, Deputy Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee, asked departments and agencies to partner with localities and units concerned to raise public awareness of the importance of safe agricultural production. 

A representative from the Dong Tam dragon fruit working group in Ham Thuan Bac district said authorities and localities need to foster connectivity between VietGAP manufacturing teams and link them with businesses to ensure stable and sustainable consumption. 

Further attention was called to restructuring dragon fruit cultivation acreage that is suitable for market demand and assisting farmers in accessing value chains. 

He suggested the provincial agricultural sector work with the industry and trade sector and the provincial Dragon Fruits Association to encourage firms to buy VietGAP dragon fruits from farmers and give priority to them to join trade promotion conferences.