Custard apples get their own festival

The first Chi Lang custard apple festival is expected to take place in Quang Lang Commune, Chi Lang District, Lang Son Province in July 2017. The event is designed to attract the attention of businesses in the agricultural sector in an effort to build the value chain for key fruits.

High economic value

In the 1980s, some households piloted growing custard apple trees. Due to the soil, Chi Lang custard apples have a high sugar content and nutrients, thick pulp and few pips. Total custard apple growing area in Chi Lang District reached around 1,500ha by 2016 for a total estimated value of about VND300 billion.

To improve productivity and quality, Chi Lang District has coordinated with authorities on instructing growers how to take good care of their trees in accordance with VietGAP standards in order to prevent pests by fertilizing and pruning off branches.

In 2016, the district people’s committee directed the local division of agriculture and rural development, the farmers’ association, plant protection station, and agricultural promotion center to organize training courses for growers and mobilize them to sign safe production commitments.

The district also developed custard apple growing models in accordance with VietGAP standards, with 10.7ha in Minh Hoa Town and 30ha in Lang Ngua Village in 2016. An average output of those custard-apples has to date reached 370 tonnes a year.

Promoting branding

To maintain a trademark and expand consumer markets, Chi Lang District needs to strengthen trade promotion activities.

In 2017, the district supported custard apple growing areas following VietGAP standards in packaging. Accordingly, packaging will be cardboard boxes and paper bags to serve customers with demand for gifts, or nylon bags and spongy boxes to serve consumers. In addition, the district will build a display area to advertise its specialty fruit.

Strengthening the transfer of cultivation techniques, promoting scientific and technological application in production, limiting the use of pesticides and ensuring quality, food safety and hygiene are also needed.

Thanks to practical solutions, the value of Chi Lang custard apple is expected to increase, contributing to improving people’s living standards and promoting socio-economic development.

Dinh Thi Thu, deputy chairwoman of Chi Lang District People’s Committee, says the district targets an increase of more than

50ha of custard-apple growing areas along VietGAP standards in Quang Lang Commune this year.