Scientists to develop specialty banana

Stored under Caption This!GamesMiscellaneousNewsRecipesRelated EBay AuctionsReviewsVideosVisual Stimulation on November 29, 2007

Scientists in Lam Dong Province are working on a project aimed to develop and expand the production of a variety of bananas well known locally for their superior quality.

For over half a century, La Ba bananas, named after La Ba where they were first planted in Lam Dong Province, have been treasured for their large size, beautiful shape and excellent taste.

At present, around 100 hectares of La Ba bananas are being grown around the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong.

According to local planters, La Ba bananas are easy to grow as well as profitable.

"By growing La Ba bananas, I earn seven to eight times as much as if I grow corn," said Ha-Ai from Don Duong District.

Ha-Ai's hectare of the specialty banana yields around VND60 million in annual income.

Despite its considerable commercial value, experts say the Lam Dong specialty banana has been degenerating due to poor cultivation methods.

But the director of the Lam Dong Province Department of Science and Technology, Truong Tro, said the project aimed to study, restore and patent the breed as well as explore its market potential.

Head of the Biology Department at HCMC University of Natural Sciences, Doctor Duong Cong Kien had already successfully helped refine the breed by using tissue transplant techniques.

These techniques will be further developed and transferred to local planters, said Duong Kim Man, head of the Duc Trong District Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

[News Source]

Did you find this post useful? Then Digg It.