Habanero chilies bring big profits in Ha Tinh

As many localities accelerate crop restructuring to improve value per unit of land, the pilot cultivation of Habanero “super-hot” chili peppers, originally from Mexico, in Toan Luu commune (Ha Tinh province) is showing promising results. The variety is known for its intense spiciness and is widely used in food processing and spice production. The model has proven suitable for local climate and soil conditions while delivering high economic efficiency through the synchronization of technical practices and product-consumption linkage.

In early 2026, Phu Ha Agricultural Cooperative in Toan Luu commune launched a pilot project to cultivate 10,000 Habanero chili plants on 0.7 ha, with the participation of five members. From the start of the season, the cooperative signed contracts with businesses for technical support and guaranteed product purchases, creating favorable conditions for production.

“Previously, this area mainly grew rice and watermelon, but efficiency was not high. After studying market demand and the crop’s characteristics, the cooperative decided to pilot the cultivation of Habanero. From seedling preparation and land treatment to bed formation and crop care, all stages have been carried out in accordance with technical guidelines. This includes close monitoring to promptly manage pests and diseases,” said Nguyen Phi Thin, Director of Phu Ha Agricultural Cooperative.

Chili plants are intensively cared for throughout the growing process, with balanced fertilization at each stage of development. Support stakes are installed early to help plants remain stable, develop evenly, and reduce the risk of lodging under adverse weather conditions. Field monitoring is conducted regularly, particularly during flowering and fruit-setting stages, as fruit borers and anthracnose disease are more likely to occur and directly affect productivity.

Ha Dang Dung, a cooperative member, said, “Compared to some traditional chili varieties, Habanero requires more care, especially in pest and disease control. If the process is followed correctly, the plants grow well, achieving high fruit-setting rates and uniform fruits.”

Thanks to synchronized technical measures, the entire cultivation area has developed steadily over the past three months. Plants average 40 – 60 cm in height with strong stems and broad canopies. The chilies have now ripened and entered the harvest stage. Harvesting is carried out in rotation to ensure fruits reach the required maturity and meet buyers’ standards.

According to calculations by Phu Ha Agricultural Cooperative, expected productivity reaches 1.5 – 2 kg of fruit per plant, with harvests lasting 2.5 - 3 months and total output estimated at around 10 tons per crop. With contract purchase prices of approximately VND 200,000 per kg, revenue could reach VND 2 billion. After deducting investment costs of around 25%, expected profits are close to VND 1.5 billion, significantly higher than previous crops grown on the same area.

Beyond the current cultivation area, Phu Ha Agricultural Cooperative is also implementing staggered planting on approximately 3,500 square meters to extend product supply periods. We expect continuous production and adherence to technical processes to generate stable income for members.

Tran Ba Hoanh, Vice Chairman of the Toan Luu Commune People’s Committee, has high expectations for the first Habanero chili cultivation model in the locality. After the production season ends, the locality will conduct a comprehensive assessment of economic and technical efficiency to inform consideration of expansion.

A large part of agricultural land in Toan Luu commune shows low efficiency, so introducing new high-value crops into production is a necessary direction. One thing to note is that technical processes must continue to be improved while securing stable market outlets through enterprise linkages.

The Habanero chili cultivation model not only brings high economic efficiency but also contributes to changing local production organization toward a more planned, market-oriented approach. The shift from traditional crops to new varieties has opened additional options for farmers as production increasingly faces weather impacts and price fluctuations.

$1 = VND 26,367 (Source: Vietcombank).