Vietnam's province of Long An will expand cultivation of organic dragon fruit, primarily in Chau Thanh district. Nguyen Chi Thien, deputy director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said the authorities in the district, department and companies had piloted an organic dragon fruit model in Thanh Phu Long, Phu Ngai Tri and Duong Xuan Hoi communes that turned out to be highly efficient.
Nguyen Ngoc Tai, who cultivates 520 organic dragon fruit in Duong Xuan Hoi commune, said the model does not use chemicals and pesticides, and produces a high yield. According to him, organic dragon fruit plants are guaranteed outlets and sell for prices 10 per cent higher than the market price.
Nguyen Quoc Trinh, chairman of the Long An Dragon Fruit Association, said localities should encourage farmers to expand the pilot models, which will help increase both yield and quality, and open up possibilities for exporting to demanding markets.
Source: phnompenhpost.com
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