HÀ NỘI — More than 12,500ha of ineffective rice area in the Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta has been successfully transformed into fruit area so far this year, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD).

More than 4,700ha of the area is jackfruit, more than 1,400ha of it is mango, more than 1,400ha is orange and more than 1,200ha is dragon fruit.

Durians bring the highest profits with about VNĐ910 million (US$39,500) per hectare whereas grapefruits, oranges and dragon fruits bring about VNĐ500 million ($21,700) per hectare. All are much more profitable than rice.

MARD warns that by the end of this year and the beginning of next year, drought and salt intrusion will increase, thus local residents and authorities should prepare preventive measures to protect the fruit gardens. — VNS