Brian Jeffrey
Mao’s Pomelo Orchard Success in Thanh Hoa
Mao’s orchard, which spans 1.5 hectares in Trinh Xa 1 hamlet, is ready for the upcoming pomelo harvest with its 300 trees.
This year marks a significant achievement for Mao, as he anticipates gathering an impressive yield of 10 tons of pomelos. At a market price of VND10,000 per kilogram, he is projected to earn around VND100 million.
In the past, Mao faced issues with his crops where many fruits would rot or drop prematurely due to pests. Despite trying various pesticides and wrapping the fruits, the outcomes were unsatisfactory.
“I invested VND30 million in pesticides and fertilizers,” he recounted.
However, a shift occurred when Mao began cultivating yellow ants as a natural pest control method. This approach not only reduced his expenses but also enhanced the quality of his pomelos while safeguarding the environment and public health. Mao affectionately refers to the yellow ants as the ‘guards’ of his farm.
To create a suitable environment for these ants, he collaborated with the Plant Protection Center Region IV, focusing on breeding and employing yellow ants to combat pests.
Though he started unsure about how to raise the ants effectively, he gradually gained knowledge through advice from technical experts on their behaviors, making it easier for him to nurture them.
“Once you keep ants, avoid any chemical usage; otherwise, they will die,” Mao advised.
Initially, Mao attracted ants to nest by using plastic bottles and chicken intestines as bait, while also providing food for them regularly.
“Nevertheless, avoid feeding them too much; let them hunt for food to better control pests,” he elaborated.
After a year of fostering ant colonies, Mao now enjoys hundreds of nests in his orchard. He has created ‘paths’ for ants to traverse by linking pomelo trees with plastic wires.
His orchard features numerous plastic bottles filled with chicken intestines, serving as nutritious food for the ants.
Mao also places fallen pomelos on the ground, allowing ants to hydrate from them while simultaneously turning the fallen fruits into organic fertilizer.
According to Mao, yellow ants are not only simple to breed but also effective at eliminating harmful pests. In areas where these ants reside on pomelo trees, pests are nearly non-existent.
