New Zealand supports high yield fruit project
(VOV) - The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research (PFR) is implementing a project to develop high yielding varieties of dragon fruit in Tien Giang province.
The project will be carried out from 2013 to 2017 in collaboration with the Southern Fruit Research Institute (SOFRI).
It will help develop a sustainable dragon fruit farming model and apply advanced post-harvest technology to expand the export markets for this kind of fruit.
In 2013, the PFR has disbursed NZD113,350 for SOFRI to run training courses for farmers, upgrade laboratories, complete a quality evaluation system, and conduct research regarding cold endurance and disease prevention for dragon fruit.
Tien Giang is currently cultivating dragon fruit on approximately 3,000 hectares. Many local farmers become well off thank to the high export value of the fruit.
The province plans to increase this farming acreage to 4,500ha by 2015 along with increasing trade promotion and expanding overseas outlets.
The SOFRI plays an important role in providing and transferring agricultural technology to Tien Giang’s farmers to grow high yielding dragon fruit.
The institute has successfully crossbred two new varieties of dragon fruit with red and purple flesh which have high economic values.