Building a cooperative model for growing citrus fruits

​(News Portal – Dong Nai) – Thanks to its location and favorable weather, Dong Nai province is increasingly promoting its strengths in fruit trees. Among them, there are many types of fruit trees with high economic value and the area is among the top in the country. Currently, citrus fruit trees are showing signs of positive development. 

Mr. Ha Thang at the tangerine garden of Binh Minh Trade and Service Cooperative 

In Phu Ly commune, Vinh Cuu district, there is Binh Minh Trade Service Cooperative (Cooperative) specializing in growing 3 types of organic citrus fruit trees: oranges, green-skinned pomelo, and tangerines with a total area of about 50 hectares.

A humble beginning

In recent years, people's demand for clean and safe agricultural products has been increasing, many farmers have proactively converted production methods from traditional agriculture to organic agriculture. As the next generation of young, well-trained farmers and the head of the cooperative, Mr. Ha Thang, Director of Binh Minh Trade and Service Cooperative, proactively built a bio-organic tangerine production model and replicate it among his cooperative members.

Like most households in Phu Ly commune, Mr. Ha Thang's family's life has long been associated with mango and cashew trees. However, 9 years ago, when mango prices dropped, Mr. Thang considered changing crops. After much consideration, he decided to switch to growing tangerines. ​

Despite their looks, the tangerine trees at his garden still produced a good harvest of fruit. Compared to mango trees, the profits were much higher, so he decided to convert more than 3 hectares of garden land to growing oranges, tangerines, and pomelo. From the initial steps, he established the Phu Ly Commune Citrus Club and encouraged farmers to participate to grow their fruit trees organically. This is also the predecessor of Binh Minh Agricultural Trade and Service Cooperative. Today, the total area of the cooperative's orchards is about 50 hectares, growing citrus fruits such as green skin pomelos, oranges, tangerines...

Joining hands to establish a clean agricultural model

According to Mr. Ha Thang, with not too high investment capital, gardeners can harvest about 50 to 60 tons/ha, and in good years, the yield is 80 tons/ha. After that, the cooperative transport organic products to traders, stores, and agents. In addition to domestic consumption, the cooperative is also actively looking for export directions to the international market. Previously, there were some markets that accepted it, but now the economic situation is difficult so exports are not as expected.

According to Vice Chairman of Phu Ly Commune Farmers' Association Nguyen Quang Chien, currently in the commune, OCOP tangerine products are rated 3 stars. Although the product is of good quality, it is still not enough to satisfy larger consumer markets such as supermarkets, so it can only be sold to traders.

Mr. Chien also hopes that Binh Minh Trade and Service Cooperative can grow stronger, attracting more people to join the cooperative to increase the area and product quality. In the coming time, the association will come up with proposals on policies to support people for better development, especially in fertilizers and pesticides, plant cultivation techniques, in addition to supporting agricultural shredders to utilize waste products from vegetables in the market to make organic fertilizer.​​