Branding for Huong Can tangerines

Mr. Di’s tangerine orchard yields the income of over VND 60 million per year

According to Huong Toan people, Mr. Ho Dang Di in Giap Kieng village is a farmer with whole-hearted faith to Huong Can tangerine trees. Going through war time, natural disasters and epidemics, many Huong Can people shifted from growing tangerines to other species. However, when Mr. Di faced difficulties, he restored his tangerine orchard at all costs.

While many farmers were still struggling to restore and expand their tangerine orchards, 8 saos (1 Central Vietnamese sao equals 500 sq.m) of tangerines of Mr. Di’s family had been fruitful. He picked some ripe tangerines to invite everyone. His tangerines peel easily and have a fine sweet taste. Talking about the key to his success in growing these specialty tangerines, Mr. Di said: “The alluvium of the Bo river has perhaps created the characteristic flavor of Huong Can tangerines”.

Mr. Di shared that his tangerine orchard had experienced both ups and downs. During the war period, many tangerine orchards were lost; his family as well as other people spent much time recovering them. Then, the historical flood suddenly came in 1999, Huong Can tangerines once again fell into ruin. Many households were in despair and discouragement, and did not want to recover their orchards. However, some other households were still concerned about the precious specialty trees of the village and managed to find the ways to save them.”

When the tangerine orchards were expanded by the local people, they were again devastated by the 2007-2008 hurricane season. As the people were afraid of natural disasters, tangerine orchards were gradually narrowed. There have been only about 10 hectares so far. Households like Mr. Ho Dang Di, who are still holding on the tangerine trees, earn about VND 60 million/year or even more from these specialty trees.

The remaining 10 hectares of tangerine orchards in Huong Can are mostly grown in Giap Kieng village. Almost every household in the village grows 2-3 saos; some households grow 6-8 saos. Mr. Ho Dang Lao in Giap Kieng village grows 4 saos  and earns about VND 60 million per year; Mr. Ho Dang Hai’s household grows 2 saos, which bring the income of nearly VND 30 million. This year, it is estimated to be a bumper tangerine season.

Thanks to the effectiveness of tangerine trees, many people in Huong Can are recovering and developing their orchards. Households like Mr. Di’s, Mr. Hai’s and Mr. Lao’s are getting more income by marcotting the tangerine trees for sale.

According to Mr. Ho Dang Di and many people, currently on the market there is a variety of tangerines, and it is difficult for customers to distinguish Huong Can tangerines from others. In some markets, traders mix up Huong Can tangerines with other kinds of tangerines and even sell the fakes of Huong Can tangerines at a high price. All of these adversely affect the reputation of Huong Can tangerines.

Mr. Tong Quang Khanh, Chairman of Huong Toan Farmers Association said that local authorities had thought of branding for Huong Can tangerines; nevertheless, after many major changes, the cultivation and the yield of tangerines were unstable so that the branding had not been implemented. Local authorities are mobilizing people to gradually restore, expand the cultivation area up to 15 hectares and move towards branding for the tangerines.

Story and photo: Hoang Trieu