Farming Thai bananas, harvesting wealth

Boldly shifting crop cultivation

We visited the farm of Hoang Van Thuan in Khe Giao 1 Hamlet, Toan Luu Commune, Ha Tinh, as he was busily tending to his banana plantation. Amid nearly two hectares of rolling hills covered in the lush green of Thai bananas, Mr. Thuan could hardly hide his excitement and optimism about the new farming direction his family had chosen after years of searching for a suitable crop.

Mr. Thuan said that his family’s hillside area was previously used mainly for growing oranges and pomelos. However, cultivation required intensive care and investment costs kept rising, prompting him to look for a crop better suited to actual conditions. During a visit to a friend’s farm model, he noticed that Thai bananas adapted well to hilly terrain, required relatively simple cultivation techniques, and offered a fairly stable market outlet, leading him to decide to test the crop himself.

In 2024, his family renovated the entire plantation area and invested in planting around 4,000 Thai banana trees. At the time, many local residents remained cautious because the crop was still new to the area, while the initial investment cost was relatively high.

To establish the plantation, Mr. Thuan’s family invested in every stage, from land improvement and irrigation systems to seedlings. All banana plants were tissue-cultured varieties to ensure uniform growth, reduce pest and disease risks, and improve productivity. According to Mr. Thuan, while Thai bananas are easy to cultivate, stable yields and high quality can only be achieved by following proper technical procedures from the very beginning.

After the land was prepared, planting holes were arranged scientifically in rows with appropriate spacing to ensure sufficient sunlight and facilitate maintenance. Before planting, each hole was fertilized with decomposed manure combined with biological products to improve soil fertility.

During the growing process, the plantation’s moisture levels are maintained regularly, especially during the stages of vegetative growth and fruit development. In addition, sucker pruning is carried out frequently, with only the mother plant retained in each cluster to concentrate nutrients, helping the banana bunches develop evenly with large and attractive fruits.

For pest and disease control, he prioritizes biological measures, regularly cleaning the plantation and removing old or infected leaves to minimize sources of contamination. Fertilizer application is also carefully balanced according to each growth stage, with increased use of organic fertilizers to improve product quality and enhance long-term soil fertility.

Based on his experience, Mr. Thuan said that to achieve the best yields and quality, old banana stools should be removed and replanted after each production cycle rather than retained for many years.

“If banana stools are kept for too long, the plants weaken easily, yields decline, and bunches become uneven. That’s why after every crop, our family renovates the plantation to maintain production efficiency,” he shared.

In 2025, as many banana-growing areas were beginning harvest, Typhoons No. 5 and No. 10 caused widespread lodging and breakage, resulting in considerable losses. Total output reached only around 12-15 tons, far below expectations.

Undeterred by the losses caused by natural disasters, Mr. Thuan continued investing an additional VND 200 million to restore production, purchase more seedlings, reinforce anti-lodging systems, and rehabilitate the entire plantation area. According to him, Thai bananas can produce yields two to three times higher than some local banana varieties. The plants are less susceptible to pests and diseases, while maintenance costs are lower, making them well suited to his family’s farming conditions.

“During the rainy and storm season, leaves on plants with large bunches need to be pruned to reduce wind resistance. In addition, the plants should be tied together with ropes to limit falling during strong winds,” Mr. Thuan shared from his experience.

Circular production model based on banana cultivation

After a period of investment and recovery, Mr. Thuan’s banana plantation has now become relatively stable. Many areas are growing well, with uniform bunches and attractive fruits.

According to calculations, each hectare of bananas can produce an average output of around 40 tons of fruit. With current market prices ranging from VND 10,000-12,000 per kilogram, revenue per hectare can reach approximately VND 400-480 million. After deducting expenses for fertilizers, labor, and maintenance, the model still generates a fairly stable income source.

In addition to focusing on banana cultivation, Mr. Thuan also makes full use of agricultural by-products to develop livestock farming under a circular production model. His family currently raises 15 Belgian Blue crossbred cattle at the farm. Banana leaves and stems left after harvest are used as feed for the cattle, significantly reducing feeding costs. In return, manure from the herd is composted and reapplied to the banana plantation, helping improve soil quality and reduce dependence on chemical fertilizers.

Mr. Tran Ba Hoanh, Vice Chairman of Toan Luu Commune People’s Committee, assessed that Mr. Thuan’s Thai banana cultivation model is a suitable crop conversion direction for the local hilly terrain conditions. “Preliminary assessments show that Thai bananas are quite well adapted to the local soil and climate conditions. The model not only opens up a new production direction for local farmers but also integrates circular livestock farming, effectively utilizing agricultural by-products to improve economic efficiency,” Mr. Hoanh said.

From a hilly area that previously mainly grew traditional fruit trees, Mr. Thuan’s Thai banana model is gradually opening a new production direction that better fits local conditions and the ongoing restructuring of crop cultivation in the area.

$ 1 = VND 26,379 - Source: Vietcombank.