Orange growers in Cao Phong district of Hoa Binh province have enjoyed a good harvest and good prices of the fruit this year.
Photo: Phan Van Tam, a farmer in Cao Phong town of Cao Phong
district in his orange orchard.
Phan Van Tam, a farmer in Cam Phong town of Cao Phong district said that he
started growing orange when he retired in 2017. This year, he harvests about 15 tonnes of orange from his 4,000 sq.m orchard.
Each kilo is sold at 18,000 VND to 20,000 VND (0.7-0.8 USD).
Tam said that he can earn about 300 million VND, with a net
profit around 200 million VND. This year, he and many other local orange
growers are very optimistic because of a good harvest and good prices.
Bui Van Dan, head of the district’s Division of Agriculture and Rural
Development, said that in the 2024-2025 season, the district has more
than 971 ha of citrus trees, including 715.21 ha of oranges with a projected
yield of 302 quintals per ha and an estimated output of 20,348 tonnes; 9.62 ha
of tangerines with a projected yield of 202 quintals per ha and an estimated
output of 194.32 tonnes; 27.9 ha of lemons with a projected yield of 44.6
quintals per ha and an estimated output of 70.9 tonnes; and 218.82 ha of grapefruits
with a projected yield of 169 quintals per ha and an estimated output of 3,698
tonnes.
With the potential for citrus trees farming, particularly
oranges, Cao Phong district has implemented various strategies to support local
farmers.
Orange farming has proven to be a significant economic driver for Cao Phong
district. Cao Phong orange was the first agricultural product in Hoa Binh
province to be officially recognised and protected under a legal framework for
geographical indications in 2014.
In 2016, the International Intellectual Property Institute
awarded Cao Phong orange the title of one of the "Top 10 Famous
Brands." This recognition highlighted the brand's quality and reputation
in the marketplace, reinforcing its status as a notable agricultural product.
Cao Phong oranges are now available in major supermarkets nationwide like Big
C, Winmart, Metro, and BRG.
The district's orange output in several recent years has
exceeded 30,000 tonnes yearly, and each hectare of orange can generate 500 - 700
million VND. Many households have got rich thanks to orange farming.
The district is actively working to preserve and promote the Cao Phong orange
brand. As part of the project to rejuvenate citrus trees in the district for
the 2021-2025 period, with a vision towards 2030, the district has focused on
replanting orange trees and maintaining high-quality, VietGAP-certified
orchards. Models that combine orange cultivation with tourism have been
developed. The district has also paid more attention to applying scientific
techniques in processing, and diversifying orange products.
The district also boost communications to engage people in
preserving the Cao Phong orange brand.
Lac Thuy district of Hoa Binh has recognised the importance of handicrafts and rural industries in the agricultural economy, contributing to improved living standards and poverty reduction. Sustainable growth in these industries has facilitated the restructuring of agricultural production and labour, moving towards industrialisation and modernisation.
Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Viet Hung chaired a meeting in Hanoi on December 23 to assess a proposal on recognising Hoa Binh city as a tier-2 urban area under Hoa Binh province. Attending the event was Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Van Chuong, Secretary of the Hoa Binh City Party Committee Nguyen Van Thang, as well as leaders from various departments and the Hoa Binh City People's Committee.
Agricultural production based on value chains is recognised as a sustainable approach that improves production efficiency and raises farmers' and businesses' incomes. Many enterprises and agricultural cooperatives in Hoa Binh have applied high-tech methods to production, linking their efforts to building value chains for their products.
In mid-December, the landscapes of many neighbourhoods and villages in Tan Lac district come alive with vibrant colours and bustling activity as pomelo orchards enter peak harvest season.
The provincial Cooperative Union (CPU) has just organized a conference to promote supply and demand outside the province and display the typical cooperative products of Hoa Binh province in Hanoi. There was the attendance of the leaders from the departments, branches, the provincial CPU, and the representatives of the cooperatives from 10 districts and the city. There was also the attendance of Hanoi city’s representatives of the city CPU and 22 enterprises and cooperatives in Hanoi.
The Cao Phong orange has emerged as a shining example of sustainable agricultural development in Hoa Binh province, distinguished as the first and only locally produced agricultural product to receive a geographical indication certification. Renowned for its thin skin, juicy flesh, and delicate sweet flavour, the fruit has won the heart of consumers for years. Local farmers have made their efforts to cultivate environmentally friendly and consumer-safe products, creating a stable and sustainable brand identity.
