Phieng Khoai has a cool climate and fertile soil, suitable for growing pear trees. From 1,000 Tai Nung pear trees successfully planted in Con Huot 1 hamlet, to date, residents in the commune have replicated and developed the area to over 70 hectares.

As the first household in Phieng Khoai to plant pear trees, Dinh Thi May in Con Huot 1 hamlet shared: “In 2014, visiting the pear growing model in Lao Cai province, I decided to plant 1,000 Tai Nung pear trees. In mid-2018, the first batch was harvested, every tree was full of fruit, the fruit was big, round, and succulent. The output reached over 700kg. With the selling price of 40,000 VND (1.57 USD) per kg, I earned nearly 30 million VND. To date, my family has expanded the area to 6 hectares, with the yield of more than 30 tonnes each year, and the selling price of 40,000-60,000 VND/kg depending on the type of fruit. I earn about 600 million VND”.

Realising the fruit’s high economic efficiency and good consumption, in 2021, May shook hands with households in the locality to expand the pear growing area and establish Kien Cuong Cooperative. Currently, the cooperative has eight members, growing nearly 70 hectares of pear in accordance with the VietGAP process. This year, the output is expected to reach over 100 tonnes, resulting in total income of nearly 4 billion VND.

In Yen Son commune, in the past, some households planted pear trees, but let them grow naturally, so even though they bore fruit, the fruit was small, and the selling price was only 7,000-10,000 VND per kg. When pear trees were widely cultivated, the commune persuaded locals to apply correct measures to care for and cover fruits with bags. Now, the fruit is big and eye-catching, hence sold at a higher price.

Nguyen Van Thai's family in Kim Son 1 hamlet, Yen Son commune, has 0.5 hectares of pear being harvested. Thai shared that since 2018, his family has been grafting, and applying new methods to make trees develop well. Thanks to good technical measures and pest prevention, pears have better quality, and the output reaches 6 tonnes. Since the beginning of the season, many traders have come to the garden to buy pears for 25,000-40,000 VND per kg. This year’s revenue may reach nearly 100 million VND.

In recent years, pear is gradually asserting its position, opening up more economic development directions for farmers. Currently, the whole district has more than 130 hectares of pear, of which nearly 100 hectares can be harvested, with an average yield of 10 tonnes per hectare, bringing about stable income to many families. Thanks to guaranteed quality, Yen Chau pear is easily sold and favoured by consumers inside and outside the province.

Identifying pear as a potential crop, Yen Chau district is focusing on building specialised production areas, applying high technology, supporting varieties, and finding consumption markets. With initial economic efficiency, Tai Nung pear is being developed by the district to seek recognition as an OCOP (one commune one product) product, thus contributing to reducing poverty and improving people's lives.