With nearly 5 hectares of fruit trees in Bồ Hóng hamlet, Quài Nưa commune, Điện Biên district, Cara Farm Vietnam Co., Ltd has dedicated most of its land area to growing red-flesh oranges (Cara oranges), a new variety of orange grown for the first time in Điện Biên.

To establish a Cara Farm with organic products, in addition to selecting new varieties, the company focuses on applying technology in production following a green, clean, and sustainable approach. The use of microbial technology to compost organic fertilizers from agricultural by-products, creating biological products, and using an automatic irrigation system with precise timing and quantities are all emphasized by the company, ensuring strict compliance. The care process ensures that the trees develop evenly, saving 50% of water compared to traditional irrigation methods, and reduces labor costs.

Nguyễn Thị Lan Hương, Director of Cara Farm Vietnam Co., Ltd, shared: “Điện Biên’s climate and soil conditions are ideal for growing citrus fruits. After years of visiting and researching clean farming models, I chose to grow Cara oranges and green-skin grapefruit, fruit trees with high vitamin content and great economic value. From the beginning, with a focus on producing clean, safe products that are environmentally friendly, the company has applied organic farming techniques, avoiding chemicals, and creating a balanced ecosystem in the garden.”

After over 8 years of implementing clean agriculture models, in October 2022, Cara Farm Vietnam was granted certification for organic agricultural products. While the yield does not surpass traditional methods, the organic products have high quality and stable prices. Currently, Cara oranges are sold for VND 90,000 - 120,000 per kilogram, and green-skin grapefruit at VND 70,000 per kilogram. The harvested products are sold immediately and not only in Điện Biên but also shipped to major cities nationwide.

In Mường Ảng district, with the goal of making the district a key specialized fruit-growing area of the province, since 2018, the district has been converting part of the land from terraced fields, mixed gardens, and other annual crops to planting economically valuable fruit trees like green-skin grapefruit, Taiwanese mango, oranges, and passionfruit...

According to the Sub-department of Agriculture and Environment of Mường Ảng district, from 2021 to 2023, the district implemented 3 projects on “Linking production in fruit tree planting and product consumption” with the participation of 218 households across 8 communes and towns. The main fruit trees planted include mangoes, grapefruits, and some other fruits, with a total planting area of over 68.4 hectares. By the end of 2024, Mường Ảng district will have over 509 hectares of fruit trees, of which 357 hectares have been harvested, with an estimated yield of 1,000 tons.

Established in 2020, with over 20 households participating, the Mường Ảng Clean Fruit Cooperative currently has nearly 100 hectares of perennial fruit trees. On average, each year, the cooperative harvests 300-500 tons of fruit, providing a stable income for its members, ranging from VND 50 million to over 100 million. Green-skin grapefruit is one of the main products of the cooperative, and it was certified with a 3-star OCOP rating in late 2022.

Hà Văn Hoan, Director of Mường Ảng Clean Fruit Cooperative, said: “On average, our cooperative’s 50 hectares of green-skin grapefruit produce about 200 tons of fruit per year. The grapefruit garden is grown organically, with the fruit developing uniformly and tasting deliciously sweet. Focusing on product quality and building a reputation in the market is also a way for the cooperative to begin establishing its brand. The products are not only sold in the province but also expand into major markets like Hà Nội, Hải Phòng, and Quảng Ninh.”

To further develop advantageous and specialty fruit crops throughout the province, in December 2021, the provincial People’s Committee issued Decision No.3417/QĐ-UBND, approving the “Plan for the development of advantageous and specialty fruit trees towards concentrated and sustainable production from 2021 to 2025, with a vision towards 2030.”

In line with the plan, from 2021 to 2023, the entire province has converted 578 hectares of rice land and land for annual crops to fruit tree cultivation, increasing the total fruit tree area in the province to over 4,130 hectares. In addition to investing in seed production, encouraging VietGAP, organic, and safe farming, the province also focuses on training, technology transfer, and helping people improve their production capacity, management, and market access.

Currently, Điện Biên has formed 5 concentrated fruit production areas in the districts of Tuần Giáo, Mường Ảng, Điện Biên, Mường Chà, and the city of Điện Biên Phủ, with a total area of about 3,200 hectares. Key fruit trees include mangoes, jackfruit, pineapples, grapefruits, pears, and avocados, creating a raw material zone for local consumption and aiming to supply large processing enterprises such as Nafoods Tây Bắc, Đồng Giao Export Food JSC, TH Group... Many high-quality varieties are used to increase the value of production, leading to higher incomes and improved livelihoods for farmers. This will lay the foundation for enhancing the effectiveness of production and moving toward sustainable agriculture in the province.