Le Van Thuy (L) and his 2 hectares of white dragon fruit. (Photo: VOV)

Le Van Thuy used to grow rice but it was not effective, so he shifted to growing white dragon fruit for nearly 30 years. In 2012, he began to follow the Vietnamese and Global Good Agricultural Practices and worked with My Tinh An cooperative to export the fruit.

Thuy makes organic fertilizer from fish and fish waste instead of using chemicals. During days of lower sunlight, he uses LED lights and incandescent light bulbs to save electricity. In his gardens, irrigation and pesticide spraying systems are automated.

“Following the Global GAP, it is essential to change production practices counting to food safety and hygiene. We need to pursue clean farming methods, using organic substances, and probiotics to enrich the soil,” Mr. Thuy said.

While many local farmers have shifted to red dragon fruit, Thuy is still consistent with white dragon fruit because they are highly resistant to disease and favored by US and European markets. 

In Thuy’s gardens, irrigation and pesticide spraying systems are automated. (Photo: VOV)

Thuy’s dragon fruit gardens produce 3 crops with the productivity of 50 to 60 tons per year. 

Nguyen Van Nam, Chairman of My Tinh An’s People’s Committee, said Thuy is a role model in agricultural production and takes the lead in growing high-quality dragon fruit in the locality.

“Thuy grows dragon fruit following VietGAP, thus producing high productivity. He uses a 360 degree water spraying system which helps reduce cost. His white dragon fruit is enjoying stable prices,” said Nam.

Thuy’s family earns around 60,000 USD per year from growing white dragon fruit.

He has been awarded certificates of merit from the Prime Minister, the Vietnam Farmers Association, and An Giang province’s People’s Committee for his outstanding achievements in production.