(VOVworld) – Many farm households in Phuong Phu commune, Phung Hiep district, Hau Giang province, are thriving thanks to Xoan oranges. They have coordinated with each other to increase productivity and product quality and build a trademark for Phung Hiep’s Xoan oranges.   

Phung Hiep’s Xoan orange brand was recognized in June. (Photo: Danviet)

Xoan oranges are in demand. Thanks to their sweet succulence, high market demand, smaller investment, and higher profit, the fruit is being chosen by many Hau Giang farmers as their main crop.

Tran Van Toi, one of the first Xoan orange growers in Phung Hiep district, said: “Xoan oranges offer a profit 10 to 15 times higher than rice or sugar cane. After two years, the orange trees can be harvested at an average of 5 tons per hectare. At the current price of about 2 USD per kilo, farmers will make a big profit. Many local farmers have followed my effective model.”

Xoan oranges in Phuong Phu have turned out high productivity and quality thanks to the suitable local soil. (Photo: Danviet)

Xoan oranges are now considered a top crop in Phung Hiep district. Three years ago, Xoan orange growers in Phuong Phu commune established a cooperative which helped the villagers sell more than 400 tons of oranges worth 540,000 USD last year.

All cooperative members apply have applied the Vietnamese Good Agriculture Practice (VietGap) standards in their production. The National Office of Intellectual Property of Vietnam (NOIP) has granted the cooperative collective mark protection on “Phung Hiep Xoan oranges”. The protective mark applies to for fresh fruits, orange juice, seedlings, and seeds.

Vo Van De, Director of the Xoan Orange Cooperative of Phuong Phu commune, said: “The Xoan orange brand was recognized in June when the cooperative began to apply VietGAP standards and our VietGAP-based products have now been recognized. Now traders come to the gardens to buy all the oranges grown by the cooperative members.”

Following the success of the Phuong Phu cooperative, Hau Giang is doubling the model and expanding sales by making the orange more available in supermarkets and wholesale markets.

Chau Van Mia, Secretary of Phuong Phu’s Party Committee, said: “In the future, about 165 hectares of sugar cane will be converted to orange farming. Around 100 hectares of other crops will also be converted. The lives of farmers in Phuong Phu commune and members of the Phuong Phu orange cooperative are steadily improving.”

Phuong Phu commune and neighboring villages have been assigned to specialize in orange growing, following the VietGAP standards. Phung Hiep district’s agricultural sector is in charge of providing farming techniques, applying advanced technologies in tending orange trees, managing orange seeds, and developing orange groves in line with VietGAP norms. Phung Hiep authorities have called on farm households to set up production or sales cooperatives.