Stable livelihood with dragon fruit tree

A bridge bringing science to farmers

An Luc Long commune is considered one of the key dragon fruit growing areas of Tay Ninh province. Formed at a time when the dragon-fruit industry was facing difficulties, the Cau Doi Dragon Fruit Club has, after five years of operation, proven itself as a center that gathers farmers and serves as an “extended arm” of the agriculture sector, helping farmers access information, learn new techniques, and produce more efficiently together.

Mr Truong Minh Trung, Director of Long Hoi Cooperative and Head of the Cau Doi Club, shared: “The club was established in 2019 with 22 members and now has nearly 100. This is where farmers voluntarily gather to share techniques, update market information, and exchange production experience.”

Each month, the club holds regular meetings and invites scientists, businesses, and agricultural extension officers to share information, showcase technical advancements, and guide members in linking production with consumption. Today, about 50% of the club’s members are also members of Long Hoi Cooperative, the core force applying new technical processes in practice.

“Thanks to dragon fruit, local livelihoods have improved, and people now have stable jobs. Especially through the club, a clean, sustainable dragon-fruit production chain with stable market access has been formed,” Mr Trung said.

Also in An Luc Long commune, Thu Nguyen Cooperative is providing a distinct development direction by producing organic dragon fruit for export to Europe.

Mr Tran Hong Cuong, Chairman of Thu Nguyen Cooperative, said: “We buy together and sell together to ensure sustainability. Dragon fruit exported to the Netherlands must pass tests for up to 570 safety indicators, and absolutely no chemical residue is allowed. From flowering to fertilizing, everything must be fully organic.”

The cooperative applies biological solutions and strictly monitors each member’s production process. Ms Pham Thi Ngoc Thu, a cooperative member, shared: “Following the organic standards set by the cooperative gives us peace of mind. The plants are healthier, the fruit is nicer, and the products are clean and safe for consumers.”

A key to sustainable poverty reduction

Tay Ninh province currently has more than 7,300 hectares of dragon fruit, of which nearly 7,000 are in production. However, to develop sustainably and organically, cooperatives and clubs still need support in capital, technical assistance, and market access.

In recent years, local authorities have actively sought new markets, expanded linkages, facilitated contract farming, and encouraged farmers to convert to organic production and apply high-tech methods to improve fruit quality. Nevertheless, the consumption of Tay Ninh’s dragon fruit still depends heavily on traders, leading to unstable selling prices.

Mr Nguyen Quoc Trinh, Chairman of the Tay Ninh Dragon Fruit Association, noted: “Tay Ninh has advantages in climate, soil, and farmer experience. Organic farming doesn’t cost much more, while prices remain stable at around VND 25,000/kg in peak season and VND 35,000/kg in off-season. But to expand exports, we need more pioneering cooperatives and farmers to form large raw-material zones.”

Alongside technical transfer, improving farmers’ access to information and markets is seen as a decisive factor that helps them shift their production mindset, confidently adopt organic and circular farming models, and enhance the value of their agricultural products.

Ms Pham Thi Lan, Deputy Director of the Plant Production and Protection Sub-department of Son La province, said that the biological agents used to induce flowering are safe and widely used. For best results, growers must apply them precisely and at the right time - between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., when temperatures are highest. “In the cold season, farmers usually wait until the sun breaks through. When flowers bloom uniformly, the fruit also develops evenly with less drop,” Ms Lan explained.

The period from flowering to harvest ranges from 60–65 days in the cold season, while in warm, sunny weather it takes only about 45 days. Thanks to the longer nutrient accumulation period, dragon fruit harvested in winter typically has a distinctly sweeter flavor.

From models like the Cau Doi Club or Thu Nguyen Cooperative, the message is clear: when farmers are equipped with knowledge and supported by businesses and local authorities, they not only master techniques but also take control of their livelihoods - moving toward sustainable poverty reduction and building a modern agricultural sector.