Mr. Nguyen Thanh Cong, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, grasped the situation of plum consumption in Yen Chau district.

Currently, Yen Chau has more than 4,000 hectares of plums, with an estimated output of 32,200 tons, while Phieng Khoai has more than 2,800 hectares planted here since the 1990s. Due to the suitable climate and soil, along with the application of scientific advances in planting and care techniques by the people, the trees have high productivity and fruit quality. The difference between Phieng Khoai plums and other regions is that they are grown on limestone mountains, with a cool climate all year round; this helps the plums retain their natural sweetness, red color, and thick white powder. The whole commune has more than 520 hectares of plums, recognized as a high-tech application area. To enhance the brand value of plums, in recent times, the People's Committee of Yen Chau district has directed specialized agencies to focus on guiding cooperatives and people to promote the care of plums according to VietGAP processes, pruning, shaping, caring, using a lot of organic fertilizers; being proactive in irrigation, specifically reducing the number of fruits to take better care of nutrition, creating large, delicious fruits, size 14-20 fruits/kg. Up to now, the value of Yen Chau plums on the market is relatively high compared to similar products. Up to now, the whole district has consumed over 15,300 tons of plums, with an average price of 15,000-40,000 VND/kg; for some areas with little investment in tree care to develop naturally for small fruits, the price is 3, 000-5,000 VND/kg.

The delegation visited and inspected the actual plum-growing model.

At the meeting, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Cong highly appreciated the promotion and consumption of plum products in Yen Chau district in the past time; at the same time, he emphasized that from now until the end of the season, the plum output is large, the district needs to continue to promote consumption activities, build brands; focus on introducing plum products to large markets; seek new partners; promote and advertise in provinces and cities; replicate the organic growing model, create the highest quality plums, meet the strict criteria of the domestic market and move towards export, in particular, coordinate with the relevant agencies to strictly handle false rumors about prices, affecting the production and consumption of plums in Yen Chau district and Son La plums, increasing income for plum growers.

Tran Son - Hoang Duong

Translated by Tuan Minh Dang