Over the past three years, the model red dragon in accordance with VietGAP standard in Bong Trang ward, Xuyen Moc district, Ba Ria – Vung Tau province has achieved good results.
In this model, 5 households participated in an area of 2 ha, being support with over 30% of the total costs and guided in accordance with VietGAP standard.
Mr. Mai Van Tiet - one of the participants, said that his family planted 4 perches of 400 red dragon fruits in accordance with VietGAP. Through the process of care and harvesting, he realized that planting in accordance with VietGAP brought many advantages like high yield, less pests, sweet & beautiful fruits and ensuring food safety for users for not using pesticides. With double selling price compared with normal dragon fruits, from 30,000 – 35,000 VND/kg, after deducting expenses, his family earned about 100 million USD/year.
According to Mr. Tiet, planting in accordance with VietGAP, he could save 20-30% of costs due to decreased amount of pesticides and fertilizers.
Besides advantages, farmers also met difficulties. This was the first model of Ba Ria – Vung Tau province with small areas, farmers were not awarded with certificates of VietGAP standard, causing difficulties for output of products.
Hoang Nhi – Rural Today newspaper