Faced with the current situation of indigenous dwarf banana trees in Dakrong district being at risk of species degradation, over the past time, all levels and sectors have implemented many solutions to restore and preserve them. The dwarf banana planting models that have been developed and expanded not only contribute to preserving valuable genetic resources but also help local people increase their income and improve their lives.

In Dakrong district, there are 71 hectares of dwarf bananas grown in Ta Rut, A Ngo and A Vao communes - Photo: TRAN TUYEN

In the communes of Ta Rut, A Bung, A Ngo, Ta Long, A Vao of Dakrong district, the indigenous dwarf banana tree has been grown by people for a long time on fields and in home gardens. This dwarf banana variety is very delicious when ripe, the fruit is big and round and has its own unique flavor, so it is favored by many people.

However, with backward farming methods, mainly spontaneous, leading to low productivity, the quality and appearance did not meet the market demand. Therefore, there was a time when people neglected and were not interested in dwarf banana trees, so this native crop almost degraded in variety.

With the desire to restore this native plant, in 2019, the Dwarf Banana Cooperative of the Women's Union of Ta Rut Commune was established with the participation of 15 households. The cooperative has restored and developed about 20 hectares of dwarf banana in an intensive farming direction.

Currently, the trees are growing well and generating significant income, so people are very excited. According to the plan, the cooperative will expand the dwarf banana area to 40 hectares by 2025; turning dwarf banana into a commodity crop, creating jobs and bringing stable income to people.

According to local people, after only 1 year of planting and caring, the dwarf banana tree will be ready for harvest. Each banana tree has a harvest time of 3-5 years with an initial investment cost of about 50-80 million VND/ha. When the tree is ready for harvest, after deducting costs, the profit is about 70 million VND/ha/year. This is a significant source of income for the people here.

The model of "Growing native dwarf banana using tissue culture" has raised awareness and capacity for people in intensive cultivation of native dwarf banana - Photo: TT

With the aim of helping people grow banana trees with the right techniques, exploiting the full potential of land per unit area, bringing high quality productivity, in October 2023, the Quang Tri Provincial Agricultural Extension Center built a model of "Tissue culture of indigenous dwarf banana" in A Ngo commune, Dakrong district with an area of ​​3 hectares. A Ngo commune selected 11 households in A Ngo village to participate in the model. These households were trained in cultivation techniques, supported with seedlings and materials.

These are households with land area that meets the requirements, has a solid protective fence, the householder also has enough labor capacity, has the ability to respond (manure, fence...), and voluntarily applies new techniques according to the requirements and instructions of technical staff.

Chairman of the People's Committee of A Ngo Commune, Ho Tat Huan, said that the model has brought about clear results compared to the traditional planting methods in the locality. Currently, the survival rate of indigenous dwarf banana trees after 1 year of planting is very high. In general, the banana gardens are growing very well.

In the second year, the banana trees in the gardens will bear fruit. This model creates conditions for people to improve their knowledge, techniques for planting and caring for indigenous dwarf banana trees in an intensive manner; creating more jobs. Using good seed sources, using organic microbial fertilizers, manure, limiting the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides will create clean, delicious indigenous dwarf banana products, limiting the impact on the environment as well as the health of consumers.

The model of "Growing native dwarf bananas using tissue culture" in A Ngo commune brings about clear results compared to the traditional planting method in the locality - Photo: TT

From state budget support sources under national target programs, capital from the Vietnam Women's Union, currently in the district there are 71 hectares of dwarf bananas grown in Ta Rut, A Ngo, A Vao communes...

Through monitoring, banana trees grow and develop well, are less susceptible to pests and diseases, and have higher yields than banana gardens grown spontaneously by local people. The average yield of dwarf banana trees is 20-25 tons/ha, bringing in profits of about 60 million VND/crop/ha. This is a source of income that contributes to hunger eradication and poverty reduction.

Particularly with the model of "Growing native dwarf bananas using tissue culture" in A Ngo commune, the banana trees have a survival rate of over 95%, there are no significant signs of pests or diseases, the garden grows well, the leaves are smooth green, highly uniform, and the fruiting rate is over 98%.

Using tissue culture varieties for planting shows uniformity in growth and shortens the harvest time, the time from planting to harvest is 11-12 months. The average yield is 33 tons/ha, giving an average profit of 60 million VND/ha.

The model has raised awareness and capacity for people in intensive cultivation of native dwarf banana trees using tissue culture varieties. It has created confidence and determination for people to apply new techniques in production.

After successfully planting, the families participating in the model actively exchanged and shared experiences with other households in the area, helping them apply science and technology to production, overcoming limitations in growing bananas using traditional methods, which is the premise for applying and replicating to banana growing areas in Dakrong district.

Head of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Dakrong district, Tran Dinh Bac, said: “This is one of the district's key crops recognized as a 3-star OCOP product in 2023.

In the coming time, the district will continue to orient communes to develop and expand the area of ​​native dwarf banana cultivation in the direction of intensive farming, creating raw material areas, applying scientific and technical advances in production; develop a plan to restore and preserve native dwarf banana varieties by tissue culture and provide them to people.

At the same time, open training courses and guide people to apply scientific and technical advances in production to increase productivity and product quality; encourage localities to establish production cooperatives and link product consumption.

Tran Tuyen