With more than 400 trees under harvest, Pham Thi Thao's family in Dinh Cun village, Thu Phong commune (Cao Phong), expects to earn about 150 million VND (6,208 USD).
Custard apple has been grown on Thu Phong land for a long time. With the economic value it brings about, over recent years, many households have invested in planting this kind of fruit and expanding its area. Currently, the whole commune has over 27 hectares, mainly in Dinh Cun hamlet. Dinh Cun custard apple is famous for its quality and size, because of the farmers' ability to cultivate and take special care of it, and fragrant, and has a distinctive sweet taste.
To develop the brand of Dinh Cun custard apple, Thu Phong commune has encouraged locals to focus on production processes in accordance with Vietgap standards to ensure food safety and hygiene, and look for and develop new varieties with high quality. Recently, the commune mobilised households to establish a cooperative group with 25 members. At the end of 2022, this product obtained 3-star OCOP (one commune one product) certification.
Vu The Dung, Chairman of Thu Phong Commune People's Committee, said that the recognition of Thu Phong custard apple as a 3-star OCOP product has created favourable opportunities for growers, as they can be supported and guided on how to ensure the quality of the fruit during transportation.
Bui Van Dan, head of the Agriculture and Rural Development Desk of Cao Phong district, said that the district People's Committee has directed relevant agencies and localities to determine the planting area and process in order to maintain the Cao Phong custard apple brand so that it can become one of the key crops of Thu Phong commune.
Hoa Binh Province currently has over 870 hectares of tea plantations, with six districts having concentrated tea production areas that boast advantages in soil, climate, history, and distinctive tea varieties: Yen Thuy, Lac Thuy, Da Bac, Mai Chau, Tan Lac, and Luong Son.