Chi Lang custard apple: Sweet taste, enhanced value

In the last half a month, many households in Chi Lang district have been busy harvesting the main crop of custard apple. In this year’s crop, not only Chi Lang custard apple retains much of its sweetness and aroma, but also its value is constantly being raised.

The custard apple tree was tested in Chi Lang more than 40 years ago. Initially, it was grown mainly on limestone mountain. Realizing its economic efficiency, people in the district have gradually converted some inefficient rice and maize areas to custard apple. Since then, the area of ​​custard apple trees has been continuously increased.

People in Dong Mo town harvest custard apple

Mr. Luong Thanh Chung, Head of the Division of Agriculture and Rural Development of Chi Lang district said: “Currently, Chi Lang custard apple is grown mainly in the Chi Lang, Mai Sao, Thuong Cuong, Van Linh, Y Tich , Hoa Binh communes, Chi Lang and Dong Mo towns… with an area of ​​over 2,300 ha, each household earns hundreds of millions of VND from the custard apple tree.”

Mr. Hoang Van Tuong, Quan Bau-Dong Ngau village, Chi Lang commune shared: “Realizing the economic value from custard apple brings, for many years, my family has produced more than 1 hectare of organic custard apple. During the production, we have gained our own experience and been supported by the State, the productivity and quality of custard apple are increasing day by day. In recent years, my family has harvested 3-4 tons of fruit/crop. In 2022, because of the weather, my family has harvested 3 tons of fruit and earned over 100 million VND. In 2022, we are even happier when the price of custard apple is 10,000 VND/kg higher than usual.”

Similar to Mr. Tuong’s family, many other households in Chi Lang district have gained hundreds of millions of VND from custard apple, even some households have gained 300-500 million VND /crop. In 2022, the production of custard apple in the district is estimated at 20,000 tons (including off-season custard apple), the revenue is estimated at 700 billion VND (in 2016, the revenue is estimated at more than 300 billion VND).

In addition to expanding the area, to improve the productivity, quality and value of custard apple, the District People’s Committee has implemented many synchronous and effective solutions. Mr. Vi Nong Truong, Chairman of Chi Lang District People’s Committee said: “Over the years, the District People’s Committee has directed specialized divisions and People’s Committees of communes and towns to promote safe custard apple production. Thereby, up to now, in the district, 35 hectares of custard apple have been produced according to GlobalGAP standards, nearly 700 hectares of custard apple have been produced according to VietGAP standards.

Along with promoting safe production according to standards, in order to improve product value, the People’s Committee of Chi Lang district cooperates with relevant agencies to support the development of OCOP products; supports traceability stamps, product packaging; supports to advertise and introduce products both inside and outside the province…

Most recently, at the beginning of the season in 2022, the District People’s Committee coordinated with relevant agencies to participate in the fair of agricultural products and regional specialties; the week to promote custard apple and agricultural specialties of Lang Son province in 2022 in Hanoi. Here, Chi Lang custard apple products were widely promoted to consumers in provinces and cities across the country.

Ms. Nguyen Thanh Tham, Cau Giay District, Hanoi shared: “After getting to know about Chi Lang custard apple at the week to promote custard apple and agricultural specialties of Lang Son province in 2022, I and many other colleagues get contacts to order Chi Lang custard apple. Although I have eaten custard apple in some other provinces and cities, I consider Chi Lang custard apple the most aromatic and delicious.

After 1 week of the promotion of Chi Lang custard apple in Hanoi, the participating units have consumed 11 tons of custard apple, and signed consumption contracts with partners in other provinces, cities ​​in the country.

Besides, at 8 pm on September 9, 2022, Chi Lang district opened Chi Lang Custard Apple Fair in 2022 with the theme “Chi Lang custard apple – sweetness of Xu Lang”. This fair was to honor individuals, households and units who have made great contributions to the production and consumption of custard apple. At the same time, it was through the fair that it contributes to protecting and improving the reputation and maintaining the brand of Chi Lang custard apple; increasing economic value, income for farmers per unit of cultivated area…

With the results achieved in the past time as well as solutions to improve productivity, quality, to expand the consumption market, hopefully in the future, Chi Lang custard apple will continue to increase its value. Thereby, it will make an important contribution to increasing income for people in the district.