Soaring pepper prices in the first half of this year have allowed Đồng Nai farmers to freshly plant pepper seedlings to replace old ones. — VNA/VNS Photo

ĐỒNG NAI — Pepper prices increased in the first half of this year, bringing cheer to farmers in the southern province of Đồng Nai and encouraging many to grow it again.

The spice is sold at up to VNĐ200,000 (US$7.82) per kilogramme, and seedling prices have increased from VNĐ8,000-10,000 (US$0.31- 0.39) to VNĐ20,000-25,000 (US$0.78-0.97) in the past month.

Pepper growers have been focusing on renovating old orchards and expanding the crop in the hope of making a killing this season.

Trần Văn Vịnh, who has a one-hectare pepper farm in Cẩm Mỹ District’s Lâm San Commune, said his first harvest fetched at VNĐ180,000 (US$7.03) per kilogramme, enough for him to plant new seedlings to replace unproductive ones.

“Pepper plants adapt well to the province’s topography and yield great output if given enough care.”

He hoped prices would remain steady to ensure farmers get stable incomes.

Lê Quang Thành of Xuân Lộc District’s Xuân Thọ Commune said the high prices have allowed him and other farmers to confidently invest again in growing pepper.

Years of low prices have discouraged farmers from continuing planting pepper, and some even abandon their crops.

This resulted in a 30-50 per cent drop in output in the past few years and the area under the spice shrinking to just 11,000ha from over 19,000ha in 2018.

Nguyễn Văn Thắng, deputy director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said farmers need to improve soil quality before planting new pepper plants, especially where there have been mass deaths in the past.

It is important to carefully research and choose quality seedlings and undertake organic farming to preserve soil quality, he said.

Farmers need to link up with cooperatives to get guidance and support for sustainable planting, cultivation and harvesting, he added.

Nguyễn Thanh Tân, vice chairman of the Xuân Lộc District Farmer Association, said though most local farmers are experienced in growing pepper, the district would continue to teach them new planting and caring methods and encourage them to opt for organic farming. — VNS