(VOVWORLD) - To compete with imported grapes and to serve future exports, Ninh Thuan province, Vietnam’s largest grape producer, has created new grape varieties like NH04-102, a black seedless finger grape that adapts to different types of soil and fetches prices 4 to 5 times higher than other varieties.
 Nguyen Dinh Tri of Dac Nhon hamlet, Ninh Son district has successfully grown NH04-102 grapes. (Photo: baodantoc.vn)
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The NH04-102 vineyard of Nguyen Dinh Tri’s family in Ninh Son district is being harvested after 4 months.
He recalled, “When the trees get old enough, I’ll prune the branches for flowering and bearing fruit. Agronomists from the Nha Ho Research Institute for Cotton and Agriculture Development have introduced us new farming techniques. This has made me more successful.”
Cross-bred last year by the Nha Ho Research Institute, part of the Vietnam Academy of Agriculture Sciences, the new variety has outstanding color and quality. It’s being grown on a pilot basis in Ninh Son, Ninh Phuoc, and Ninh Hai district and Phan Rang-Thap Cham city.
So far black finger grapes have proven adaptable to various kinds of soil and show a strong resistance to insect pests, a high fruiting rate, and a beautiful shape. The thick-skinned grape is crunchy, sweet, and aromatic.
Dr Phan Cong Kien, Deputy Head of the Institute, said, “The quality of this grape variety is consistently high. Its sugar Brix level is between 16 and 18 degrees. If well cared for during the main crop, the level can exceed 20 degrees.”
Tourists and outside farmers are flocking to Ninh Thuan to learn more about this grape variety.
Nguyen Thi Lien, a visitor from Quang Tri province, said, “A bunch of the new seedless grapes is different from other varieties. I like them because they’re very sweet.”
 Tourists look happy to visit Nguyen Dinh Tri family’s NH04-102 vineyard. (Photo: baodantoc.vn)
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According to Nguyen Dinh Tuat, a grape grower from Ninh Son district, they like the seedless grapes very much and all of them want to invest in this variety.
The black finger grape produces an average yield of 18 to 22 tons per hectare for one crop – up to 25 tons per hectare if intensive farming is done. There are two crops a year. With a selling price at the garden of 10-12 USD a kilo, farmers can earn 170,000 USD per hectare a year.
“Ninh Thuan is determined to ensure the highest quality for export. At the same time, we’ll continue to build a brand for Ninh Thuan grapes and issue policies to help farmers develop their vines,” Tran Quoc Nam, Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee, said.
Ninh Thuan province has promulgated two policies to support the development of vineyards. Decision 37 will give households 5,000-6,000 USD to grow grapes (40% of the price of a hectare). Decision 06 will loan up to 300,000 USD to a business or cooperative that wants to develop a high-tech grape cultivation project.
Ninh Thuan province continues to expand grape growing areas that follow VietGAP standards, help grape growers link up with businesses engaged in investment and production by value chain, and acquire new technology to produce, preserve, and diversify grape products and develope vineyard eco-tourism.