Current situation and solutions for efficient use of dragon fruit planting land in Bac Binh district, Binh Thuan province

Abstract

The objectives of the study were to evaluate the current state of land use for dragon fruit cultivation in Bac Binh district, Binh Thuan province, identify influencing factors, and propose solutions for the sustainable and effective use of this land. The study utilized survey data from dragon fruit growers and expert consultations to assess the current situation and development trends, serving as a basis for proposing solutions. The key findings were as follows: (1) The area planted with dragon fruit increased by 3,767 ha from 2010 to 2020, but it began to decrease sharply from 2021. By 2023, the cultivated area declined to 2,933 ha, a reduction of 1,718 ha (36.94%) compared to 2020. (2) Productivity remained relatively high, with an average output of about 25 - 30 tons/ha during the on-season and 20 tons/ha during the off-season. From 2010 to 2020, the average profit was approximately 6,000 - 6,800 USD/ha per year, but since 2021 profits had declined sharply, averaging only about 3,744 USD/ha per year, with a continued downward trend leading to a gradual reduction in dragon fruit cultivation. (3) The main factors contributing to the shrinking area of dragon fruit land included economic factors such as selling price, profit, and export challenges, as well as technical and production planning factors. (4) The study proposed solution groups, including organizing production based on the value chain, supporting the development of large-scale enterprises, policy solutions, and human resources solutions.