(VOVworld) – The Ham Duc dragon fruit cooperative in Binh Thuan province was set up in 2015 and is now headed by Ms. Le Nguyen. In a little more than a year, they have established their trademark in the domestic and foreign markets.

(Photo: baobinhthuan.com.vn)

Binh Thuan province is a principal producer of dragon fruit in Vietnam. In recent years, the price of dragon fruit has dropped sharply, causing great financial losses for local farmers. Ms. Le Nguyen came up with the idea of establishing the Ham Duc dragon fruit cooperative to buy dragon fruit at a stable and reasonable price. Ms. Le Nguyen: “Since we began purchasing dragon fruit to make wine, farmers don’t have to accept the low prices offered by fruit wholesalers. We are now producing red and white dragon fruit wine. The wine is good for your health”.

Ms. Le Nguyen has also done research to create other products like dried dragon fruit and dragon fruit juice. Her ideas have helped to boost local incomes and living standards. Ms. Nguyen Thi Hai is a member of the Ham Duc cooperative: “Our life has greatly improved since we joined the cooperative. It has generated stable jobs and income for us. The work of the cooperative is not too complicated. Anyone can do it”.

Ham Duc cooperative’s dragon fruit products are now available in many provinces and cities nationwide. And Ms. Le Nguyen recently signed a contract to export dragon fruit wine to Cambodia. The cooperative attended the 13^th ASEAN-China Fair and signed a contract to sell its wine to the Chinese market. 2 batches have already been exported to China. Market demand for dragon fruit wine is growing. Ms. Le Nguyen again: “We plan to build a factory. The work is suitable for female workers. Even the elderly can do it. We are looking for new outlets for local dragon fruit”.

The Ham Duc dragon fruit cooperative has become a role model for other local Farmers Associations to follow.