Activities to promote Dak Nong’s specialty avocados

Vice Chairwoman of the provincial People’s Committee Ton Thi Ngoc Hanh said on July 12 that this will be the first of its kind, themed “Dak Nong: Ripe Avocado Season”, featuring major events for the opening and closing ceremonies, a workshop on sustainable avocado development, a trade fair connecting the supply and demand of the fruit and other agricultural products, an avocado competition, as well as tours to farms.

The programme aims to popularise Dak Nong avocados among consumers, improve the local fruit’s value, and affirm the position of Vietnamese avocados – especially those of Dak Nong – on the world market.

It will serve as a platform for businesses to seek partnerships with avocado purchasing and processing companies, while connecting with domestic and foreign firms to expand the product’s market.

Through the programme, organisers also look to select high-quality and high-yield avocado varieties to help with local agricultural restructuring, Hanh said, adding that it will also be an opportunity to introduce the province’s advantages and potential so as to attract investment.

Dak Nong is one of the provinces with the biggest avocado farming areas and output in Vietnam. It is currently home to nearly 2,600ha of avocado trees, accounting for some 20% of the local fruit cultivating area, with an average output of 10-15 tonnes per ha. Avocado farming is particularly concentrated in Dak Mil, Dak R’lap, Dak Song, and Dak Glong districts, and Gia Nghia town.

With its terrain, climate, and soil conditions different from those of other provinces, Dak Nong is able to plant many avocado varieties bearing fruit from January through to November. Local avocados are also preferred by domestic and foreign consumers thanks to their bigger size, appealing appearance, and rich nutrition, the official noted.