Branding Fruits

Endowed with climate and soil advantages, Vinh Long province has huge potential for developing a variety of fruit crops. Currently, the province has about 47,700 ha of perennial trees, including nearly 40,000 of fruit trees, which bear about 396 700 tonnes of fruits a year. Many varieties if fruits have been granted certified brand names like Tam Binh sweet orange, Binh Minh-Nam Roi pomelo, Thien Tich rambutan, and Ri 6 durian. Presently, Vinh Long is expanding its fruit export markets, especially the US, Japan and Singapore.

 

Although the province has zoned out specialised fruit-growing areas and improved working skills for farmers significantly, in general, the fruit industry remains weak in Vinh Long province, as expenses are high and the loss rate is high.

 

To address existing weaknesses, the province’s agricultural sector has actively applied many solutions to increase productivity of fruits, reduce production costs, and improve the quality, look and competitiveness of fruits. To raise the quality of fruits, apart from fertile soil and favourable climate and watering, Vinh Long province pays special attention to extensive farming and technology transfer. Every year, the agricultural sector organises training workshops and seminars on fruit farming to provide useful and necessary knowledge for farmers and implements disease prevention programmes for fruit trees.

 

Together with actively supporting farmers to develop orchards, the agricultural sector of Vinh Long province also encourages and facilitates companies to invest in fruit areas, build fruit processing plants and export fruits. The province also strengthens the coordination, interconnectivity and cohesion of farmers, companies, State agencies and banks. Besides, the Vinh Long gardening economy development project for 2011-2015 phase which aims to restore and develop specialty fruit areas and support farmers in obtaining GAP certifications, also achieves initial encouraging results.

 

In 2013, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development defined fruit branding as one of its major tasks. The department outlined intensive gardening development plans for long-year trees, and provides technical assistance for farmers to grow and care Nam Roi pomelo, sweet orange, rambutan, durian and dragon fruit.

 

In addition, the province facilitates farmers to approach scientific and technical progress, improve production levels and choose the best crops to grow. The province also steps up trade promotion, helps farmers to build up brand names and geographical indications for key fruits. Mr Phan Anh Vu, Vice Chairman of Vinh Long Provincial People’s Committee, said branding fruits is important because fruits are hard to export without official brand names. And, this work requires close coordination of all stakeholders to bring Vinh Long fruits to the world.