A farmer is harvesting pepper (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) - Peppercorn is one of the traditional plantsof Ha Tien city in the southern province of Kien Giang. Nowadays, the crop hasbecome one of its economic staples, featuring high-tech application as part ofits unique trademark.
Like many local households, Ong Vinh Kim in Thuan Yen commune, Ha Tiencity, Kien Giang province, plants black pepper as a traditional vine.
Kim said his family has planted black pepperfor years, and he has followed the tradition since 1984.
The natural conditions of Ha Tien are favourable for growing pepper.However, due to the impact of climate change, local growers have been facingdifficulties leading to unstable output in the past few years.
As a solution, local authorities have instructed local growers to apply a new irrigationmodel that hopes to make the crop more resilient.
Ha Tien peppercorn was trademarked in 2017 with the participation of more than50 local growers. The product is on shelves at local supermarkets, bringing stableincomes for local farmers.
Ly Thai Hung, head of Ha Tien city’s EconomicDepartment, said the new model ofplanting has proved highly effective as it ensures the stable output of some150 tonnes each year. The city has coordinated with local growers to build atrademark to ensure output, helping stabilise local farmers’ incomes.
Although Ha Tien pepper has already been trademarked, the local productstill faces challenges in promotion. Meanwhile, local growers are lookingforward to popularising their products in a bid to expand their market. –VNA
VNA
