DOVECO to expand 1,000ha pineapple plantation in Ha Tinh

Pineapple takes root in difficult land areas

Since April 2024, Dong Giao Food Export Joint Stock Company (DOVECO) has partnered with localities in Ha Tinh Province to develop large-scale pineapple cultivation zones, operating a closed-loop value chain from production to consumption.

This represents a new direction in the process of agricultural restructuring, aiming to efficiently utilize hilly land areas and regions with low agricultural productivity in the locality.

As one of the pioneering units participating in the model, the Ngan Ha Pineapple Production Cooperative has developed more than 20 hectares of pineapple cultivation in Ky Hoa and Cam Xuyen communes.

According to Mr. Truong Xuan Ha, head of the cooperative, in the early stage of planting, pineapple was a completely new crop for local farmers. Under harsh weather conditions, prolonged heatwaves, and temperatures reaching 40-41°C at times, production faced significant difficulties.

However, thanks to strict adherence to technical procedures from land preparation and seed selection to cultivation and care, the entire area has grown well. Average yields reach over 30 tonnes per hectare, generating profits of more than VND 180 million per hectare. Although still in the early stage of production, pineapple has proven far more economically efficient compared to previous crops such as acacia and cassava, while also being better suited to local soil and climate conditions.

Notably, after two major storms in 2025, many acacia plantations were damaged, but pineapple crops continued to grow steadily. Building on these initial results, the cooperative plans to further collaborate with DOVECO to expand pineapple cultivation by an additional 20 hectares in the near future.

Currently, the entire Ky Hoa Commune has linked with DOVECO to develop approximately 90 hectares of pineapple cultivation. The pineapple areas are now entering the main harvest season, with average yields reaching 35-40 tonnes per hectare.

Mr. Duong Tri, Vice Chairman of Ky Hoa Commune People’s Committee, said that after more than two years of implementation, the pineapple linkage model has proven suitable for the locality’s agricultural development orientation. The partnership with enterprises has ensured stable market outlets, helping farmers feel more secure and confident in converting crop structures and improving production value.

According to the 2026 plan, Ky Hoa Commune will continue to expand an additional 20 hectares of pineapple. So far, local farmers have already registered over 10 hectares, while the remaining area will be promoted through communication and mobilization efforts to develop pineapple into a key crop on hilly land.

In communes within the former Vu Quang District, the cooperative pineapple production model linked with DOVECO is also showing positive results.

Previously, on an area of 0.54 hectares, Mr. Le Ngoc Lam in Village 6, Thuong Duc Commune mainly grew oranges. However, due to aging orchards, declining economic efficiency, and rising maintenance costs, his family decided to switch to Cayenne pineapple after visiting pineapple linkage models developed by DOVECO in Ninh Binh Province.

In practical production, the Cayenne pineapple variety has shown good adaptability to local climate conditions, relatively strong drought tolerance, and suitability for areas affected by hot, dry Lao wind conditions. Despite being planted during the peak of summer heat and experiencing major storms and heavy rains, the plants have grown steadily.

“If properly invested and cared for with the right techniques, yields can reach 60-80 tonnes per hectare. After deducting costs, expected profits are over VND 200 million per hectare,” Mr. Lam said enthusiastically.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Son, Chairman of Thuong Duc Commune People’s Committee, said that introducing the Cayenne pineapple variety into production on low-efficiency hilly land has opened up a new direction for crop restructuring among local farmers. Not only does it improve household incomes, but the model also helps shift production thinking toward commodity-based agriculture linked with stable consumption markets. In 2026, the locality aims to expand pineapple cultivation to more than 20 hectares, gradually forming a concentrated production zone.

To develop over 1,000 hectares of linked pineapple cultivation

According to the Ha Tinh Department of Agriculture and Environment, the province has so far developed nearly 400 hectares of pineapple under linkage with DOVECO.

Of this area, 321.5 hectares are directly cultivated by the enterprise in communes such as Ky Hoa, Ky Lac, Ky Van, Cam Xuyen, Cam Due, and Cam Lac. The remaining more than 60 hectares are cultivated by local households participating in linkage models, in which the enterprise supplies seedlings, provides technical guidance, and commits to product purchasing.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tung, DOVECO Deputy General Director, said that of the total pineapple cultivation area currently in Ha Tinh Province, about 135 hectares are planted with Cayenne pineapple, while the remainder is Queen pineapple. Average yields of Queen pineapple reach around 45 tonnes per hectare, while Cayenne pineapple achieves approximately 50 tonnes per hectare.

According to estimates, income from pineapple cultivation currently ranges from VND 200-250 million per hectare per production cycle, significantly higher than many traditional upland crops. In the coming period, the company will continue to support farmers with seedlings, cultivation techniques, and full product off-take under linkage contracts.

Under the plan, Ha Tinh is expected to plant an additional 653 hectares of pineapple across 17 communes in 2026, raising the province’s total linked pineapple cultivation area to over 1,000 hectares. In the immediate phase, 62 hectares will be implemented in the communes of Ky Hoa, Cam Hung, Ky Anh, Ky Xuan, Hong Loc, and Truong Luu, following completion of linkage contract procedures with DOVECO.

Ha Tinh currently has around 7,000 hectares of land suitable for crop restructuring and the development of pineapple raw material areas in period 2026-2030. However, agricultural authorities also recommend that expansion should be carried out in a gradual and appropriate manner.

Pineapple is a crop that requires relatively strict technical procedures. Meanwhile, Ha Tinh experiences high rainfall, particularly concentrated in the final months of the year, which creates favorable conditions for diseases such as heart rot and root rot if not properly managed.

$ 1 = VND 26,431 - Source: Vietcombank.