The value created from strict processes
That is the story of Mr. Tran Van Phuc (Cu Lao Dung commune, Can Tho city). This farmer has spent more than 3 years researching and experimentally growing MST plum on a scale of 5,000 m2. Not stopping there, from the MST plum variety, he continued to successfully mix and named this "brainchild" the San Tien pink plum.
The time from planting to harvesting is about 14 months. Each year, plum trees can harvest 3 crops, with a yield of about 20 tons/ha. Not only does it have large fruits, but when cooked, this plum has an eye-catching dark pink color, a natural aroma, crispy, sweet and juicy, very convenient for transportation.
Notably, what makes this organic plum variety different is its strict farming process, strictly controlled from input to output. The entire farming process is implemented according to VietGAP and organic standards.
Some basic technical factors are emphasized, including gradually reducing the rate of chemical fertilizers and replacing them with organic fertilizers according to a clear technical roadmap. Pines must be wrapped at least twice when the plants are fruit. After harvesting, organic plums must be washed with water to meet the hardness standards of 20mg/l, left to drain, not crushed, carefully classified, packaged according to a scientific process and then stored in a refrigerator at a temperature of about 12 degrees Celsius.
The above requirements are mandatory to bring organic plums to high-end fruit store systems. Mr. Phuc has conducted comprehensive testing of over 100 indicators of soil, water, growth chemicals... in the lab with a cost of up to more than 100 million VND for one test. This is also maintained periodically, with 3-5 most important indicators after each harvest, fully recording and strictly controlling the chemical isolation stage before harvest.
Currently, San Tien pink plum products are linked with restaurants, eco-tourism areas in Can Tho city and clean food stores in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh city, Vinh Long, Dong Thap, with selling prices up to 230,000 VND/kg (for products reaching 15% sugar level).
Closed chain from production to consumption
The San Tien pink plum brand has now been granted intellectual property protection and Mr. Phuc is completing the dossier to certify organic products for plums on an area of 40 hectares, expected to be completed within 12 months.
To complete the production and distribution chain, Mr. Phuc has invested very methodically. This farmer is fully equipped with specialized transportation means, invested in 2 cold warehouses to preserve products after harvest, and in the near future will build a factory that meets HACCP standards. All of these efforts are aimed at creating a closed process from production to consumption.
"If we do it methodically, clearly, and transparently from the planting, care, and fruit wrapping process to inspection, consumers will be willing to pay high prices for organic plum products," Mr. Phuc shared.
Not only providing fresh fruit, Mr. Phuc is researching and developing deep-processed products from organic plums. The ripe fruits will be sticky-dried, made into juice or plum wine. Plum blossoms can be picked before they are fully bloomed to make tea.
This farmer also plans to continue breeding to produce organic plum varieties weighing 2 fruits/kg and the sugar content has increased many times.
