Elevating Phu Tho’s Specialty Pomelos

As one of Phu Tho Province’s most celebrated specialties, pomelo has long been a key crop, helping many households escape poverty and achieve prosperity. To ensure sustainable development, the agricultural sector has focused not only on improving product quality but also on deep processing and diversifying pomelo-based products, thereby enhancing economic value, opening new growth opportunities, and elevating the profile of Phu Tho’s signature fruit.

Phu Tho’s specialty pomelos are widely promoted through various channels.

In the period 2021-2025, with a vision toward 2030, the province’s agricultural sector has been implementing a wide range of coordinated measures to develop pomelo cultivation in a focused and large-scale manner, boosting both productivity and quality. The total area under pomelo cultivation in Phu Tho (before the administrative merger) expanded from 2,308 hectares in 2015 to 5,593 hectares by the end of 2023, exceeding the target set for 2025.

Along with this expansion, the province has established 161 concentrated pomelo production zones, marking a clear shift from small-scale farming to more modern, large-scale production.

To achieve the above achievements, the planning of concentrated production areas is focused on. The whole province has 162 establishments with 1,742 hectares of pomelos granted planting area codes, including 18 codes for export; nearly 980 hectares of pomelos have VietGAP certification. This not only helps trace the origin of products but also opens up opportunities for Phu Tho pomelos to reach the international market.

The promotion of application and transfer of scientific and technical advances into production has brought positive changes in productivity and quality. Advanced production processes such as VietGAP, GlobalGAP, and organic are encouraged to apply, improving product value and protecting the environment.

Recognizing the importance of building brands and consuming products, Phu Tho has gradually oriented and supported pomelo areas to build brands through the One Commune One Product (OCOP) Program. The province now boasts 10 cooperatives and production facilities with OCOP-certified pomelo products, with a combined registered output of over 15,000 tons per year. Trade promotion and market expansion are also priorities, with major events such as the Doan Hung Pomelo Festival successfully organized.

The adoption of information technology, e-commerce, and digital trade in agriculture has brought tangible benefits. Millions of traceability stamps have been issued, while pomelo product information is widely featured on the province’s e-commerce platform and other online marketplaces, attracting millions of visits.

Pomelo is a high-value crop for Phu Tho’s agricultural economy.

In addition, the application of information technology, promoting e-commerce and digital commerce in the agricultural sector has brought practical effects. Millions of origin tracing stamps have been supported, pomelo product information has been posted on the province’s e-commerce platforms and other platforms, attracting millions of visits.

Pomelo pulp is processed into traditional pomelo sweet soup and delicious pomelo jam. Pomelo seeds contain a lot of pectin, which can be extracted to create natural skin care gel. Even young and poor quality pomelos are not wasted, but are used to produce pomelo wine, a novel product with great potential.

The processing of products from pomelos does not need to be located in the growing area but can be expanded to neighboring areas, making it easier to reach consumers, while bringing higher incomes to farmers. This is an effective direction, not only helping to maximize raw materials but also expanding the market, bringing higher economic value and contributing to affirming the position of Phu Tho pomelos.

With synchronized measures from intensive cultivation and brand development to expanded processing models, Phu Tho’s pomelo is no longer just a specialty fruit but a diverse, high-value product line, firmly establishing its position in the market.

Hoang Giang