According to Lao Dong Newspaper, these days, across grapefruit growing areas in Phu Tho, people are focusing on taking care of themselves to prepare for the new grapefruit harvest.
Many households apply VietGAP, GlobalGAP processes, focusing on integrated pesticide management (IPM) to maintain sweetness, beautiful shells and meet export standards.
In the Dien grapefruit area in Dai Dong village (now in Yen Tri commune, Phu Tho), the green grapefruits are covered with film to prevent pests and diseases.
Mr. Vu Xuan Oanh - Director of Dai Dong Agricultural Cooperative said that with more than 30 hectares of grapefruit meeting the standards, this year the Cooperative plans to export 100 tons to the UK market.
"After rainy days, the plants are susceptible to fungal diseases, we have to increase care, supplement nutrients, and wrap protective film to help the fruit look beautiful, safe, and meet export standards" - Mr. Oanh said.
Similarly, in Cao Duong commune - where there are nearly 100 hectares of grapefruit of all kinds, people are also taking advantage of fertilizing, pruning branches, making grass, monitoring care diaries to prepare for the new harvest.
With about 90 hectares, of which over 30 hectares meet export standards, My Tan Agricultural Cooperative expects this year's grapefruit crop to export 60 - 80 tons of Dien grapefruit to the US, EU and UK markets.
"The production process is closely monitored, growers must record diaries, use the drugs in the correct list, and ensure quarantine time. In addition to exports, other grapefruit areas also apply VietGAP to meet domestic consumption" - Mr. Do Quoc Huong - Director of My Tan Agricultural Cooperative shared.
When mentioning the king's favor of Dat To, Doan Hung grapefruit cannot be ignored. Currently, cooperatives in Chi Dam, Bang Luan, Doan Hung, Tay Coc... have all increased care and disease prevention to prepare for the new harvest.
Mr. Vu Khanh Hiep, one of the grapefruit growing enterprises in Doan Hung commune, said that the enterprise is currently actively training grapefruit care techniques for workers and installing QR codes to trace the origin, meeting strict requirements from the US and European markets.
According to the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection of Phu Tho province, exported grapefruit is classified according to the agreement from the purchasing enterprise.
Since the beginning of the season, the Department has promoted and guided measures to prevent harmful animals and ensure food safety. At the same time, strengthen domestic quarantine, manage and monitor growing area codes.
"Currently, the area of grapefruit in the whole province has reached nearly 12,000 hectares, including 68 export growing area codes with more than 671 hectares. This year, the expected export-standard grapefruit output is about 500 tons. Grapefruit is mainly exported to the US, UK and some EU countries" - Ms. Nguyen Viet Xuan - Deputy Head of the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection of Phu Tho province said.
