Photo: Quảng Ngãi Province has trialled farming of MD2 pineapples since last year to improve incomes for its farmers and ethnic people. — VNA/VNS Photo Đinh Hương

 QUẢNG NGÃI — The central province of Quảng Ngãi’s pilot farming model to grow MD2 pineapples, begun last year to help increase the incomes of farmers and ethnic people, has seen a harvest completed for the first time.

Plants are being grown on a 500 sq.m plot in Sơn Tây District’s Nước Tang Village.

The model seeks to replace low-value crops grown in the area with the speciality pineapple.

Đinh Văn Mong, who owns the farm, said the yield is over 3.5 tonnes.

MD2 pineapple adapts well to the local weather and soil conditions, he said.

It has a thinner skin and is juicier and sweeter than regular pineapples, and is a huge favourite among consumers.

It fetches VNĐ12,000-15,000 (US$0.46-0.58) per kilogramme and VNĐ1,000 (US$0.03), and is expected to bring him an estimated VNĐ5.5 million (US$214.5) per crop, Mong said.

Lê Thị Phương, a farmer from Sơn Dung Commune, said she had bought 500 seedlings to grow in her farm.

She said it is easier to grow pineapples since they are less susceptible to pests and low-maintenance, and adapt well to the province’s mountainous topography.

Pineapple farmers have more time to sell their crop since the harvest season usually lasts up to three months, she added.

Đinh Trường Giang, vice chairman of the province People’s Committee, said the model has helped farmers increase their incomes and foster economic growth.

He said Sơn Tây District has been encouraging farmers to grow MD2 pineapple as it fetches a higher income.

It has also been researching optimal farming methods, taught new techniques to farmers and linked them with buyers, he added. — VNS