The prices of betel leaf now fluctuate from VND1,000 to VND10,000 ($0.4) an container or 40 leaves. Vi Thuy Commune in Hau Giang District is the only place in the Mekong delta to grow betel in 25 hectares.
Twelve days after growing betel, farmers can harvest it; therefore, they are netting much at price of VND3,800 a container, double increase compared to same period last year.
With the present price, growers will earn VND90 million a hectare as net profit for a hectare farm excluding other expenses. Averagely, in one month with two time harvests, farmers can net VND180 million a hectare.
At present, a resident in the commune is collecting betel to provide Ho Chi Minh City market and export to China.
The commune which has betel club and Truc Lam Hau Giang Pagoda, Lung Ngoc Hoang nature reserve has developed spirit tourism with ecotourism.
Three generations of some families in the commune live on the plant for years.
Chairman of Vi Thuy Commune People’s Committee Nguyen Van Vui said that administrators are finishing formalities to register brand name for Vi Thuy betel. Farmers will be guided to grow organic betel to make more money as well as pilot home stay tourism.
