Long An Province currently has 8,554 hectares of seedless lemons in Vietnam, of which 7,371 hectares are bearing fruit. These areas are concentrated in the districts of Bến Lức, Đức Huệ, Đức Hòa, Thủ Thừa, and Thạnh Hóa.
Recently, Thạnh Hóa has become a high-quality lime cultivation area. It exports to demanding markets such as Japan, Europe, and the Middle East.
Mr. Bùi Văn Khắp, is the Director of Thuận Bình Cooperative in Thạnh Hóa District. He said that seedless limes are currently worth at 6,000–13,000 VND/kg. Prices can be even higher during periods of strong demand. In recent years, lime prices have been relatively stable.
After deducting all production costs, farmers still earn a profit of 500 million to 1 billion VND per hectare. This has significantly improved their living standards.
Previously, this area had poor, acidic, and saline soil with low crop yields. When lime prices were favorable, farmers were able to accumulate enough income to build new houses and purchase additional farmland. Starting with just 2 hectares, Mr. Khắp’s family has now expanded to over 13 hectares of Vietnamese seedless lime. The entire commune has developed 237 hectares of lime cultivation. From once barren saline land, it has transformed into lush green lime orchards.
Seedless lemons in Vietnam
Mr. Châu Văn Vết’s family in Thạnh Hóa reported that over 4 hectares of limes have generated a good income after two harvests. All four of his children are now engaged in the cultivation of seedless lemons in Vietnam. They have researched and invested in high-tech farm management systems that are operated via mobile applications.
The whole Thạnh Hóa District has nearly 180 farming households cultivating limes across more than 300 hectares. Fresh lime has become one of the three main crops of the locality. It provides jobs and stable income for tens of thousands of workers. The development of lime cultivation has also stimulated a range of related economic, service, and industrial activities.
Ms. Mã Thanh Điền is the Deputy Head of the Thạnh Hóa District Department of Agriculture. He said that fresh lime production in Thạnh Hóa reaches 2,500 tons per year. The good news is that from July 1, 2018, Gapfood Hậu Giang will fully purchase all products from Thuận Bình Cooperative for five years. At the same time, it will invest capital and production processes for 40 hectares of limes meeting GlobalGAP standards for export.
Ms. Đinh Thị Phương Khanh is the Deputy Director of the Long An Department of Agriculture and Rural Development,. He stated that to ensure sustainable development of Vietnam’s fresh lime, the department is investing in research for new disease-free varieties. It is also encouraging farmers to join cooperatives for large-scale production and long-term development. Long An Province is also implementing a plan to develop 10,000 hectares of high-tech lime cultivation.
Vietnamese source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/phat-trien-chanh-khong-hat-d220701.html