(HBO) – In 2017, Cao Phong oranges were in good season and continued to take firm steps, affirming the brand in the market. Cao Phong is exploiting effectively its natural advantages of soil, climate, scientific and technical resources and labors. The people here produce oranges according to the safety standards, develop an orange-trading area and bring a better life.

Mr. Nguyen Hong Thai, The Chairman of Cao Phong Orange Grower Association said: This year, the Association welcomed a lot of new members. The orange growers were given the certificate of VietGap by the professional agency, which will create new opportunities for Cao Phong oranges to have firm steps in the market. The Orange Grower Association of Cao Phong District was founded three years ago with the number of members from 50 members to 100 members now. All the members have high level of intensive farming, master the science and technology, take more care of the water supply, clean soil improvement, care and fertilize in the direction of clean and sustainable production. The orange quality continues to increase. The orange varieties all have thin peels, juicy, light fragrant aroma and yellowish pulps. Many kinds of oranges have no seeds, which are suitable for the need of enjoyment.

At present, the area of members’ oranges is about 200 hectares, 100% of which applied according to VietGap standard. Many enterprises have collaborated to consume oranges for the members. In 2017, the situation of floods affected the productivity and quantity of some households’, but in general, the orange growers still had a good season with a stable selling price. The orange plants are in the harvest from the middle of Lunar August to the end of Lunar May. Currently, CS1 oranges are being harvested to the New Year, then Xa Doai oranges will be harvested in the Lunar January, V2 oranges will be then harvested until June. Thanks to applying science and technology, the orange quality has been gradually improved and taken a place in the market.

Oranges are traditional and key plants which bring high economic efficiency for Cao Phong District. This is the first agricultural product of the province to have been granted a certificate of geographical indication protection in 2014. In 2016, the Institute of International Intellectual Property gave it the title of "the 5th of Top Ten Famous Brands”, which made a breakthrough in the direction of agricultural development of the province. The Festival of Cao Phong Oranages in 2017 recorded the orange products of the district and continued to build its reputation in the market, make a breakthrough in the direction of agricultural development of the province. Many organizations and individuals planting and selling oranges in the district have been granted the certificate and prizes of clean and safety products which were selected by the prestigious organizations. 

Up to now, the total area of citrus plants in Cao Phong is more than 2,800 ha, the output of 2017 is estimated about 33 thousand tons, with the income of 500 -700 million dongs/ ha. The total income is expected about 600 billion dongs. In 2016, in the whole district, there were hundreds of households with the income from 100 to 500 million dongs, 122 households of more than 500 million dongs, 44 households with the income of 1-3 billion dongs, more than 10 households of more than 3 billion dongs.

The Vice Chairman of People’s Committee of Cao Phong District, Mr. Ho Xuan Dung said: the district is implementing the solutions of keeping, developing the orange brand in order to deploy effectively the orientation of restructuring agriculture associated with building new rural area. The People’s Committee of Cao Phong District has launched The Cooperative Union of Cao Phong Orange, signed the trade agreement between the cooperative with other partners. Cao Phong is completing the registration of trademarks, bar codes and printing the labels of the products, bringing branded oranges to the real customers in a clear and transparent way. Up to now, there have been 50% of orange areas being implemented in compliance with food hygiene and safety standards. The district encouraged, directed the households, teams of producing collaboration, cooperatives and enterprises to invest the application of biological technologies; organize, manage and produce the high quality seedlings, layout the structures in the direction of harvest scattering, produce under VietGap standards, meet the requirements of safety standards of the countries in the region in order to ensure the closed production cycle in the direction of clean and safety production towards the chain food consumptions at the supermarkets, hotels, restaurants and exports stably and sustainably.