Expanding pineapple cultivation boosts hillside land value

Under a broader initiative to restructure crop patterns and maximize land productivity, authorities and farmers in Son Duong and Son Thuy communes have been actively replacing low-yield tea plantations on hillsides with pineapples. The modern farming model is yielding strong initial economic results, paving the way for concentrated and sustainable commercial agriculture in the region.

Members of the Son Thuy Commune Women's Union visit a high-yield pineapple farming model in Lang Thien village to exchange techniques and experience.

In late 2025, facing degraded tea crops, declining yields, and volatile incomes, Son Duong commune surveyed local terrain and encouraged residents to rethink their land use. Pineapples were selected as a strategic crop to better capitalize on the economic potential of local hilly soil.

Tran Ngoc Khoi, Director of the FARM Forestry and Agriculture Commercial Services Cooperative, noted that surveys in regions with similar soil and climate conditions show pineapple yields averaging 45 to 60 metric tons per hectare. With stable market demand and prices, revenue is estimated at 120 million to 150 million VND per hectare annually - significantly higher than traditional crops. Cooperative members have converted roughly 15 hectares to pineapple farming, laying the foundation for a concentrated production zone expected to reach peak harvest by 2027.

Across Son Duong commune, more than 30 hectares of underperforming tea land have been repurposed for pineapple cultivation. Local officials are focusing on a synchronized approach, from seed selection and soil improvement to technical training. Notably, the commune has partnered with Dong Giao Food Export Joint Stock Company (DOVECO) to secure seed supply, farming materials, and off-take agreements, ensuring stable market access for growers.

In Lang Thien village, Son Thuy commune, Dang Thi Chien’s spineless honey pineapple farm is also delivering strong returns. Having planted one hectare in 2023, with roughly 0.25 hectares now in stable production, traders purchase her harvest directly at the farm gate for 20,000 to 22,000 VND per kilogram, generating an average income of 50 million to 60 million VND per hectare.

To scale these results, the Son Thuy Women's Union has organized study tours for members to observe high-yield models, while continuing to encourage and assist farmers in transitioning underutilized hillside gardens.

The progress in Son Duong and Son Thuy demonstrates that expanding pineapple cultivation not only enhances the value of hillside land, but also shifts local farming from small-scale production toward value-chain integration, driving a new era of commercial agriculture.

Ly Thu