With focused production and systematic investment from seedling to harvest and processing, farmers in Thanh Binh, Dong Thap can achieve a harvest of 25,000 tons of chili peppers per crop.
Located in the Dong Thap province, Thanh Binh district has extensive alluvial areas, numerous islets, and fertile reddish-brown silt soil, providing favorable conditions for the development of flowers, short-term industrial crops, including chili peppers.
Chili Peppers cultivation in Thanh Binh, Dong Thap started about 20 years ago. Initially, the cultivated area was small, but it has now become one of the largest chili pepper cultivation areas in the Southwest region of Vietnam, with a planting area exceeding 1,800 hectares, concentrated in Cu Lao Tay and riverside areas of the Tien River.
The chili pepper harvesting season usually begins from October of the previous calendar year to April or May of the following year. This is the only planting and harvesting season of peppers in the year, yielding approximately 25,000 tons per crop. According to local residents, the chili pepper variety is best suited for the soil conditions of the islets, resulting in redder and spicier fruits compared to other regions. Pepper plants are adaptable and can be grown year-round, but they thrive best during the dry season. After approximately two months of planting, the peppers are ready for harvest, with harvesting intervals of 3 to 4 days.
To avoid mass harvesting and potential price manipulation by traders, farmers choose to stagger their planting and ensure a consistent supply each month. Additionally, the chili pepper cultivation areas are clearly divided: one-third of the area is dedicated to the winter-spring crop, another third for the late spring and summer crop, and the remaining third for intercropping during the early autumn season. According to local farmers, growing peppers allows them to have additional income since pepper harvests can be obtained every day, unlike seasonal crops such as rice.
In 2012, the Thuan Phong Agricultural Cooperative, headquartered in Tan Hue commune (one of the five communes specializing in pepper cultivation in Thanh Binh district), was granted a collective trademark certificate for Thanh Binh peppers by the National Office of Intellectual Property under the Ministry of Science and Technology. Furthermore, local agricultural officers provide guidance to farmers on safe cultivation practices, proper fertilizer usage, and the appropriate period of pesticide withdrawal to enhance the value of local chili peppers.
Since 2015, the district has also established a 1,000 square meter greenhouse model for seed germination, seedling production, and supplying chili pepper seedlings to farmers. Peppers grown in greenhouses have a higher survival rate and better disease resistance. To date, the district has provided disease-free pepper seedlings for the entire pepper cultivation area in the five islet communes of Tan Binh, Tan Quoi, Tan Hoa, Tan Hue, and Tan Long. In addition to ensuring a steady supply of pepper seedlings, the locality has established numerous collection points for purchasing peppers, contributing to the marketability of the products.
During the harvest season, the act of picking and selecting chili peppers provides a stable source of income for a significant number of local laborers over several months. Thanh Binh has also formed specialized labor teams, including seedling planting teams, harvesting teams, and pepper selection teams, with approximately 10 members in each team. Wages are calculated based on the volume of the harvested products and are evenly distributed among team members.
After harvest and sorting, fresh and visually appealing peppers are exported to Ho Chi Minh City or packaged for export to markets such as China, Thailand, and Cambodia. The remaining quantity is sold to processing facilities for the production of chili sauce, chili powder, and chili salt.
The local community has benefited from chili pepper cultivation, as it provides a stable source of income and employment opportunities. With the support of agricultural cooperatives and local authorities, farmers have access to quality pepper seedlings and guidance on safe cultivation practices.
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