Previously, in Binh Loi Township (Vinh Cuu District, Dong Nai), Mr. Thieu Quoc Viet had to spend tens of millions of dongs every year to buy chemical fertilizers and pesticides for 1 ha of grapefruit. Thanks to the use of locally available agricultural waste and the combination of IMO products with compost fertilizers, in the last 2 years his garden is not only growing green but also producing very high yields, while the costs are only half compared to before.

According to Mr. Viet, composting is easy to make with IMO products, the raw materials consist of main ingredients such as rice bran, molasses, bananas and then mixed with available waste products such as fish, drift grapefruit, pineapple… All mix ingredients well incubate, in one Incubate plastic container with lid, open lid and stir once a day, after 7 days it can be used. The cost of making 100 liters of organic fertilizer is around VND 120,000 IMO, with each liter mixed with 10 liters of water for irrigation or sprayed with 3 pomelos. To use, a plastic tank of compost is placed next to a lake with a large capacity pump to mix and irrigate fertilizer at a predetermined rate suitable for each plant species and weather.

“I used to apply about 20 bags of NPK and pesticides a year when using chemical fertilizers. Pests and diseases in grapefruit orchards have also decreased by 60-70% since using IMO compost, which now only uses 12-15 bags of NPK/year. The IMO solution is plant-based and therefore much more economical and safer than using chemical pesticides,” Mr. Viet said.

Binh Loi Cooperative is one of the cooperatives in Vinh Cuu District that has successfully applied IMO to production. Mr. Tran Hoang Thien, director of Binh Loi Cooperative, said that the cooperative currently has 14 members with a total area of ​​nearly 50 ha of pomelos. Recognizing that the application of IMO not only helps reduce investment costs but also helps members develop better production habits, since 2019 the cooperative has been organizing training on IMO for members and relatives in the community and outside the community, so far 100% of the members have applied for the production.

“Thanks to IMO, grapefruits are now very nice designs, good quality and are bought by retailers at prices 20-30% above the market price. Currently, the co-op is negotiating with supermarkets to get the product on the shelves, this is an opportunity for the local pomelo brand to make contact,” Thien shared.

According to the Binh Loi Municipality People’s Committee, Binh Loi has currently planted more than 250 ha with green-skinned pomelos. In order to create prestige and establish a local pomelo trade, the People’s Committee of the Farmers’ Association cooperated with the Binh Loi Cooperative to promote and thus replicate the application of IMO in production. Currently, Binh Loi Cooperative’s green-skinned pomelo products have been certified by VietGAP and 3-star OCOP in the province.

“To be recognized for a production that meets VietGAP standards, growers have strictly followed the production process, use and dosage of fertilizers and pesticides. In addition to IMO, advanced techniques are applied, such as B.: Automatic sprinkler irrigation system helps reduce the number of harmful spiders (dangerous pests on grapefruit trees), create a good microclimate for grapefruit plantations, save water for irrigation, and help the fruit design more beautiful; pruning techniques, making canopies for grapefruit trees; Apply Integrated Pest Control IPM…

According to Mr. Tran Trung Hieu, Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Binh Loi Municipality, Binh Loi belongs to the left bank of the Dong Nai River, so the soil and climate are suitable for fruit trees such as pomelos, oranges and tangerines, which are green-skinned Grapefruit trees are grown in the area. Binh Loi soil has high sweetness, beautiful green fruits, thin skin. With high quality and unique taste, Binh Loi Green Skin Pomelo products have long been favored by the domestic market.

Changing the thinking, awareness, application and maintenance of the organic agricultural production process is a solution that local agribusiness always strives for.

“The application of IMO solutions to production is seen as the key to creating prestige and branding for local grapefruit. With the results achieved, the place continues to support the Binh Loi cooperative and gardeners in promoting the cultivation of organic grapefruit to achieve the goal of bringing the product into the supermarket system, grocery chain and export. At the same time, the local grapefruit area is to be expanded to 300 ha by 2025,” stressed Mr. Tran Trung Hieu, Vice Chairman of Binh Loi Municipal People’s Committee.