Organic dragon fruit farmers have no fear of oversupply

Persistence with organic dragon fruit

While many farmers struggle with unstable agricultural prices amid market fluctuations, several cooperatives and growers in Tay Ninh maintain steady profits by persistently following clean production methods that meet the strict standards of demanding markets.

In dragon fruit-growing areas such as Chau Thanh, Tan Tru, and Tam Du, most farmers are already familiar with the VietGAP process. However, to increase product value and expand market reach, many households have continued to transition to organic standards in order to meet the requirements of exporters to Japan and the EU. As a result, farmers’ awareness of cultivation practices has improved, product quality has become more consistent, and economic efficiency has become more sustainable.

Among the pioneering farmers, Tran Hong Cuong from Long Hung hamlet, An Luc Long commune, has remained dedicated to organic agriculture for over a decade. In the early days, when many were still hesitant, he developed a three-phase roadmap: experimentation, fertilizer testing, and process completion. By taking the lead and demonstrating effectiveness, he persuaded others to change their mindset and practices.

According to Cuong, the biggest challenge lies not in technique but in the market. The lack of stable output once discouraged farmers. However, more than 12 years of experience have shown that organic dragon fruit grows well, with stronger trees thanks to the use of antagonistic microorganisms that enhance natural resistance and reduce dependence on chemical pesticides.

“To switch to organic dragon fruit cultivation requires a transition period of six months to one year for the trees to adapt. Growers can start by alternating chemical and organic fertilizers, gradually increasing the organic ratio over time. Once following the right direction, the trees become stronger and less susceptible to disease,” Cuong shared.

In terms of costs, including labor, the production cost of organic dragon fruit is approximately VND 12,000/kg, while the farmgate selling price reaches VND 25,000/kg, resulting in a roughly 50% profit, which is higher than that of conventional production, which bears additional expenses for chemical fertilizers and pesticides. This economic advantage has persuaded many farmers to adopt the organic model.

However, success depends on discipline. A single household violating standards or using banned substances to preserve fruit could damage the reputation of the entire market and lead to lost contracts. Therefore, organic production requires absolute honesty and strict adherence to contracts, especially for EU markets that have rigorous residue regulations.

From “productivity-oriented agriculture” to “economic agriculture”

Beyond his family model, Cuong established the Thu Nguyen Cooperative, gathering over 100 members cultivating more than 100 hectares. The cooperative operates under the “collective purchasing and selling” principle, helping farmers reduce dependence on traders and avoid price manipulation.

Initially, most members continued to follow traditional methods. The transition to organic farming was not easy, but through persistent advocacy and government incentive policies, many households made the switch with confidence. The most important factor was the tangible effectiveness of selling products at higher prices.

From the cooperative’s perspective, this marks a transformation from “productivity-oriented agriculture” to “economic agriculture,” with low investment, low risk, and high efficiency. The cooperative’s dragon fruit currently sells for VND 20,000–25,000/kg, proving the value of the model.

By producing under organic standards that meet EU requirements, many companies from Singapore and the Netherlands have shown interest. The cooperative currently supplies dragon fruit to a company in Tay Ninh, though production has yet to meet demand. This demonstrates that clean production ensures stable markets without the fear of oversupply.

In particular, to access the Dutch market, products must meet between 500 and 700 testing criteria, with no trace of systemic or chemical residues, and all processes must strictly adhere to organic standards. This presents both challenges and opportunities to raise production standards.

Thu Nguyen Cooperative established its production process between 2011 and 2012, and officially implemented it in 2022. Currently, about 80% of the cooperative’s dragon fruit area follows organic practices, while 20% remains in the transition phase combining organic and chemical methods. The cooperative emphasizes hands-on training and technical workshops to ensure farmers fully understand production processes.

It has also established a legal compliance board to strictly monitor and enforce member responsibilities. Any household failing to comply with the process will not have its products purchased. This mechanism serves both as a disciplinary measure and as motivation for farmers to follow the right direction.

According to Tran Hung Cuong, the journey toward organic farming cannot happen overnight; it requires a fundamental transformation from mindset to practice. The early success of this model demonstrates that organic agriculture not only ensures food safety and meets international market standards but also enables farmers to achieve higher profits, promotes sustainable development, and contributes to protecting community health and the environment.

* $1 = VND 26.384 - Source: Vietcombank.