July 09, 2024 | Viet Nam News |
Hanoi is focusing on expanding pomelo cultivation with special varieties to enhance quality and increase exports. Currently, the city boasts nearly 10,000 hectares dedicated to pomelo cultivation, primarily in districts like Chương Mỹ, Phúc Thọ, Đan Phượng, Quốc Oai, and Phú Xuyên. The Diễn pomelo, a distinctive local variety, occupies around 81% of this area, with other varieties like Quế Dương, Hiệp Thuận, Vân Hà, and Sài Sơn also contributing significantly.
In recent years, Hanoi's agricultural sector has been actively supporting farmers in adopting VietGAP and organic standards for pomelo production. This initiative aims not only to ensure higher productivity and better fruit quality but also to boost potential earnings per hectare to VNĐ400-500 million ($17,000-20,000) annually. Farmers receive technical guidance and support to implement these standards effectively, which also benefits consumer safety, environmental sustainability, and export potential.
For instance, Chương Mỹ District has facilitated the conversion of low-economic-value lands into pomelo orchards and provided training on modern cultivation techniques. Similarly, initiatives in other districts like Quốc Oai and Đan Phượng have encouraged the adoption of VietGAP standards, resulting in sweeter, more marketable pomelos with improved resistance to pests.
The city's strategic plan includes further expansion of high-tech agricultural models and the establishment of geographical indications for local pomelo varieties. Hanoi aims to maintain 70% of its pomelo cultivation for main-season varieties and allocate 30% for off-season production, ensuring continuous supply and market presence. Future efforts will also focus on refining existing pomelo varieties, developing new high-quality strains, and promoting investment in pomelo processing for both domestic consumption and international markets.
