Hanoi's commune transforms banana farming through innovative cooperative partnership

Van Nam Commune, on the banks of the Red River in Phuc Tho District, has a long-lasting tradition of banana farming. In recent years, local farmers have formed a cooperative to better their farming to stabilize their market and increase their income.

Over the past few days, members of the Van Nam Agricultural Cooperative have come together to deal with the flooding and tend to their banana gardens in the aftermath of Typhoon Yagi.

Bananas are planted according to VietGAP standards at Van Nam Agricultural Cooperative (Phuc Tho District). Photo: Hanoimoi Newspaper

The cooperative's Director Doan Van Thang highlights the risks associated with farming, especially those related to pests and natural disasters. However, banana growers can now operate with security and confidence thanks to the development of a reliable supply chain from production to consumption.

Currently, Van Nam Commune has more than 120 hectares of bananas, all grown to the strict VietGAP standards. He emphasized that the cooperative is constantly refining its production processes, resulting in bananas that are not only higher quality but also more visually appealing.

According to Thang, farmers fertilize their plants with well-rotted manure when they are close to flowering to strengthen the roots and promote bigger, more uniform fruit.
After 20 days, the banana bunches are carefully wrapped in plastic to protect them from dew, wind, bruising, and pests. Finally, ripe bananas are harvested and ripened using innovative cold vinegar technology to ensure they are both attractive and safe for consumers.

He revealed that the cooperative has invested more than VND150 million (US$6,107) in a state-of-the-art cold storage system that maintains a perfect temperature of 22-23°C and can store up to five tons of bananas for an extended period of time. This innovation allows members to ramp up production with confidence.

In addition, after harvesting, the bananas are placed in a special ripening chamber to ensure even ripening and optimal sweetness, the director stressed.

Thang revealed that Van Nam's bananas have received a trademark certification from the Department of Intellectual Property (Ministry of Science and Technology) and have been recognized by Hanoi as a four-star product under the One Commune One Product (OCOP) program.

Through effective production organization, strategic investment in post-harvest technology, and a keen understanding of market demand, the cooperative has successfully strengthened its network for marketing clean bananas, preventing surpluses and price manipulation.

At present, the cooperative sources all its banana products from local farmers and, according to the director, has a remarkable monthly production of around 30 tons, mainly of the popular pink variety.

The cooperative maintains a stable purchase price of VND5,500 ($0.2) per kilogram from the farmers. All produce is then supplied to military canteens in Thach That District and Son Tay Town, as well as to schools and clean food shops. 

Revitalizing agriculture in Phuc Tho District

Phuc Tho district plans to expand its area under high-value bananas to more than 300 hectares. Photo: Trong Tung/The Hanoi Times

Nguyen Dinh Son, Chairman of the Phuc Tho District People's Committee, said the district leadership is passionate about promoting agricultural brands, trademarks, and geographical indications. Their mission is to forge connected supply chains from production to consumption, harnessing local strengths to produce high-quality, safe products with transparent origins, ensuring stable markets for farmers.

To achieve this, he added, the district has mobilized various departments and specialized agencies to conduct in-depth market research and field surveys.

"This proactive approach is aimed at uncovering the true potential of products, optimizing production processes, and improving economic efficiency and quality," said the director.

Among the standout products, the Van Nam banana excels with its attractive appearance, high yield, and exceptional quality, and has proven to be easier to grow than many other fruit varieties.

With an annual investment of VND55 million-VND65 million ($2,234-$2,640) per hectare, these bananas can generate an impressive income of VND300 million-VND500 million ($12,188-$20,348) per hectare, outperforming rice cultivation by two to four times.

In the future, Phuc Tho District plans to expand its area under high-value bananas to more than 300 hectares, positioning them as a flagship agricultural product. In addition to the well-established banana-growing communes of Van Nam and Van Phuc, the district will develop new production areas in Van Ha, Xuan Phu, the Hat Mon floodplain, and Thuong Coc.

Nguyen Van Chi, Director of the Hanoi Sub-Department of Rural Development, highlighted the Van Nam Agricultural Cooperative’s commitment to leveraging scientific and technological advancements to boost productivity and product quality.

He underlined that the city is actively supporting the cooperative in developing its brand and trademark. "In addition, participants in the OCOP program will receive assistance in refining production processes and creating eye-catching packaging to enhance their competitiveness in the marketplace," Chi emphasized.

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