Visit to Second Ento-Pro Field Demonstration - Lien Mac Commune, Thanh Ha District, Hai Duong Province

Visit to Field Demonstration Site - Lien Mac Commune

10th August 2007
"Fruit flies attacking guava crops in Lien Mac cause major losses to farmers every year. If Ento-Pro can effectively kill the male and female fruit flies before they attack the guava, then it will deliver great benefits to farmers in Lien Mac". This comment was made by Mr. Tieu Cong Tien, the chairman of Lien Mac People's Committee during a meeting to discuss the ongoing field demonstration of Ento-Pro on 25 hectares of guava in the commune.

Thanh Ha used to be famous all over Vietnam for its lychees, but declining prices and reductions in planted area have meant that lychee is no longer the main cash crop for farmers in the district. This position has been taken by guava, with more than 600 hectares planted in the district, and income generation potential of almost $US1 million annually for farmers in Lien Mac Commune alone.

However, fruit fly infestation has meant that the potential income per family from guava has decreased from VND70 million ($US4,300) per year to less than $US800 per year. The purpose of the current demonstration is to show farmers that Ento-Pro is a low-cost, environmentally friendly and effective method to control fruit fly, and therefore to increase their incomes dramatically.

The demonstration is being carried out on 25 hectares in Mac Thu village over a 2 month period. However, prior to the demonstration, 2 applications of Ento-Pro have been sprayed over all the guava in the commune in order to reduce the overall fly burden. This has had to be done as farmers have not controlled fruit fly in the lychee crop this year, due to record low prices.

The demonstration has only just officially started, but already is generating excitement and curiosity in the commune. As harvest time approaches, this interest will surely increase, as farmers will want to see just how effective Ento-Pro can be under the increased fruit fly burden at that time.

Guava Tree in Field Demonstration Area

 

Unprotected guava attacked by flies

 

Loss of fruit means loss of income

 

Farmers cover fruit in plastic bags to try and protect against fruit fly

 

Getting Ready to Spray the Ento-Pro mixture

 

Each Tree only needs a short spray in one area

 

Then on to the next tree

 

Spot spraying puts Ento-Pro on the leaf, not on the fruit

Discussion with extension service

Farmer discussing the impact of fruit fly and incorrect orchard management