Grape growing contributes to Ninh Thuan’s development

The central province of Ninh Thuan has the largest grape growing area in Vietnam, and grapevines will be a key plant for Ninh Thuan in the coming years thanks to its high productivity and economic value, The Voice of Vietnam reported.

Grapevines cover 3 percent of Ninh Thuan’s farming land and provide 13 percent of the province’s total agricultural production value.

The local government has taken steps to encourage farmers to grow grapes along with other plants, establish big vineyards, and apply advanced technologies as part of the province’s new rural development.

Thanks to the local authorities’ financial and technical support, Nguyen Van Moi from Phuoc Thuan commune, Ninh Phuoc district, who has been growing grapes for more than 30 years, now owns big vineyards providing the market with grapes and grape products.

In addition to a 1.5 ha vineyard that follows Vietnam’s Good Agricultural Practices (VietGAP) standard, he has 10 satellite vineyards. The “Ba Moi Grape” trademark has gained a firm foothold in the market.

"VietGap represents the current trend of the grape industry. Once farmers apply the VietGap model, they will no longer suffer from market fluctuations. Application of the VietGap model protects both consumers and producers," Moi told VOV.

He has also helped other local households involved in grape growing to apply the latest planting technologies and find stable outlets for their products.

Farmers in Ninh Hai district have applied the VietGAP model in growing grapes since 2014.

Under this model, they receive financial and technical support to ensure product quality prior to harvest. With this model, their vineyards’ productivity has increased 25 percent, earning them a profit 30 percent higher. This model also helps them cut costs by replacing fertilisers and pesticides with compost, which is more efficient and environmentally friendly.

To promote the high economic values of grapes, the Ninh Thuan provincial People's Committee approved a plan on safe grape cultivation until 2020. It hopes to have a grape producing area of 2,200ha with an annual yield of 40,000 tonnes by 2015, and 2,500 ha with an annual yield of 60,000 tonnes by 2020.

According to Chau Thang Long, Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, to fulfill this target, the province will continue to expand grape cultivation areas, invest in new grape varieties, and improve all the old grapevine trellises.

The province will also boost trade promotion of Ninh Thuan grape products, Long said.