As the Lunar New Year’s Eve of the Golden Buffalo 2021 is approaching, the atmosphere at the village of Tam Xa (Dong Anh district, Hanoi) became more hustling and bustling than ever. This is the time when the farmers harvest Kumquat after a long year of tending.
Implementing the local authority’s policy in restructuring crops, more than 10 years ago, farmers of Tam Xa commune started planting Kumquat trees in the riparian areas of the Red River. The locals learned Kumquat cultivation from bonsai growing areas in Hanoi such as Nhat Tan and Tu Lien wards in Tay Ho district or Van Giang district in the neighboring province of Hung Yen. |
Farmers of Tam Xa commune grow kumquat in 80% of their 218 hectares of farm land. This special kind of bonsai for Tet holidays had become the cash crop, involving nearly 80% of local households in its cultivation. |
In the days leading up to Tet holidays, the Kumquat gardens on the riparian areas of the Red River are bustling with harvesters and trucks lining up waiting to be loaded with Kumquat trees. This is also the time that Hanoians are preparing for their up-coming traditional Tet festival, thus, they flock here to buy the trees for home decoration during the most special days of the year. |
According to local farmers, due to the impact of Covid-19 pandemic, the price of 2021 Kumquat crop drops. However, thanks to the favorable weather, the bonsai grows and develops relatively well and the trees are more beautiful, making the sale of Kumquat much easier. |
Alongside with normal Kumquat which is planted on ordinary pot, farmers in Tam Xa commune have also diversified their offers by pruning the bonsai Kumquat in various shapes such as Dragon, Buffalo, among others. Compared to normal Kumquat, bonsai and shaped kumquat have a greater economic value. Currently, Tam Xa commune’s revenue from Kumquat cultivation is around VND1.7 billion (US$74,000)/ hectare/ year on average. |
Some temporary camps are set up next to the kumquat gardens on the days before Tet holidays to facilitate the care as well as protecting them from thieves. The main source of income for many households in the area depends on these Kumquat gardens which is about to be harvested. |
Planted on a large area of land in Hanoi, Tam Xa’s Kumquat has just been recognized as a "typical local product" by the City People's Committee. Tam Xa Village is also recognized as a traditional craft village, providing bonsai products for the capital as well as attracting tourists to visit. |
