Cái Bè Converts Over 9,600 Hectares of Rice Land to Fruit Trees

Following a Crop and Livestock Restructuring Project, Cái Bè district in Tiền Giang province has shifted from rice cultivation to fruit production. Over 9,600 hectares of rice paddies have been converted to orchards since 2016, primarily for durian and jackfruit. This transformation has led to a significant increase in agricultural output and income for local farmers. Cái Bè is now the largest fruit-growing district in the province, with durian cultivation reaching 10,000 hectares and jackfruit covering 8,723 hectares. The local government actively guides this conversion, ensuring proper planning and compliance with regulations. For instance, Mỹ Lợi B commune, now a recognized "new rural area," has seen incomes rise to approximately 80 million VND per capita annually thanks to this shift. While successful, the project faces challenges such as unauthorized conversions. The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is working to address these issues by promoting planned conversions, providing technical training, and enforcing regulations on rice land use.