Tien Giang expands cultivation of star apples

Following a successful shipment of star apples to the US, the Mekong Delta province of Tien Giang has decided to expand its growing areas from 43ha to over 70ha with the participation of more than 200 households.

Senior agricultural attaché of the US Consulate General in Vietnam has conducted inspections and granted the code for the expanded area.

More than 200 local households have coordinated with three businesses to produce star apples according to international food hygiene and safety standards. Star apples exported to the US must be covered and not exposed to pesticides which contain CARBENDAZIM during the growing process.

Vo Van Men, deputy director of the Tien Giang provincial Department of Plantation and Plant Protection, says the department will work with the local departments of agriculture and rural development to provide farmers with production techniques to meet the standards for export to the US.