Bac Giang (VNA) – Citrus farmers in the northern province of BacGiang have been earning high incomes from growing oranges and grapefruit.

They started growing citrus fruit in Luc Ngan district around ten years ago, andthey have since become a local staple and won favour among the pickiestconsumers nationwide. In recent years, the district has continued to expand itsplantations and followed VietGap standards with the aim of exporting theirproducts.

Tran Thi Phin, a farmer in Truong Sinh village, Tan Quang commune, said herfamily cultivates Dien grapefruit and green-skin grapefruit on an area of 7,200square metres, and pockets 300-400 million VND (12,900–17,200 USD) each year.

Since 2017, the orchards have been developed in line with VietGAP standards,with processes such as fertiliser and pesticide use recorded daily, she added.

In a bid to facilitate the sharing of farming techniques to boost growth andconsumption, households in Tan Quang commune formed the Luc Ngan fruitproduction cooperative two years ago. To date, some 50 hectares of oranges andgrapefruit have been developed by 22 members under VietGAP standards. Around 20hectares of oranges received the VietGAP certificate in 2018.

Chairman and Director of the cooperative Tran Dang Vinh said the cooperativeplans to increase the acreage of its VietGAP plantations so that their fruitscan hit the shelves at domestic and foreign supermarkets. Therefore, all membersof the cooperative strictly adhere to clean production requirements.

Realising its efficiency, many households in Thanh Hai, Quy Son and Dong Coccommunes have expanded cultivation of in line with VietGAP standards.

According to the district People’s Committee, there are around 6,700 hectaresof citrus fruit in the district, which yield an estimated 58,000 tonnes in2019, up 5,000 tonnes from the previous year. The district is working towardssustainable development by implementing a wide range of measures, includingstudying and zoning off plantations as well as recommending local farmers notto expand orchards to areas with low potential.

Thanks to the district’s drastic efforts, the acreage of citrus fruits grown inaccordance with VietGAP and GlobalGAP stands has increased significantly to1,800 hectares this year, up by 500 hectares from 2018.

However, several varieties like sweet orange and yellow-fleshed orange are notqualified for export, so Luc Ngan district is building a model to pilot thecultivation of new varieties such as BH and CT 36 in an area covering 15hectares.

Vice Chairman of Luc Ngan district’s People’s Committee Cao Van Hoan said thedistrict wants all local citrus fruit orchards to follow clean productionstandards. Besides, it is building a geographical indicator for Luc Ngan’soranges and pomelo.

Local staples will only win over consumers when they meet all the requirements forfood safety and hygiene as well as origin traceability, he said, adding marketexpansion will be the following step.

In recent years, Luc Ngan citrus fruits have been sold in China and severalSoutheast Asian countries, however, exports remain unstable, he said.

In a bid to help local famers branch out into new markets for their fruit, LucNgan district regularly organizes citrus fruit fairs to promote high-qualitystaples to consumers. Besides, connections have been forged among state-ownedagencies, farmers, scientists and companies to facilitate fruit production,processing and consumption.

This year, the Luc Ngan fruit fair was held from November 29 to December 1./.