The type of jackfruit with the flavor of durian (durian jackfruit) is an imported variety grafted with Vietnamese jackfruit and has been successfully cultivated in Tan Loc Islet, Thot Not District, Can Tho City.
In Can Tho City, a “unique jackfruit variety” has emerged, offering a durian flavor with a selling price of 80,000 VND/kg (which is 15 times higher than the price of Thai jackfruit at this time).
According to the reporter’s investigation, the type of jackfruit with durian flavor (durian jackfruit) is an imported variety grafted with Vietnamese jackfruit and has been successfully cultivated in Tan Loc Islet, Thot Not District, Can Tho City.
Mr. Nguyen Huu Khang checks the durian jackfruit. (Photo: Thu Hien/TTXVN).
The successful creator of this durian jackfruit variety is Mr. Nguyen Huu Khang in Truong Tho area, Tan Loc Ward, Thot Not District. Mr. Khang spent around 4 years working in Taiwan and became acquainted with the durian jackfruit.
According to Mr. Khang, while in Taiwan, he tried a type of jackfruit that resembled the Vietnamese female jackfruit but had the flavor of durian and did not become mushy like the female jackfruit. Thus, he decided to find a way to develop this variety.
Around 2021, Mr. Khang purchased several seedlings from Taiwanese sources, then brought them back to Vietnam to carry out grafting. The durian jackfruit branches were grafted onto several different jackfruit rootstocks, with the initial quantity of about 400 trees, and were experimentally planted in his garden and some neighboring gardens in Tan Loc Ward.
Visually, the durian-flavored jackfruit resembles the female jackfruit but carries the distinct flavor of durian.
The leaves of the durian jackfruit are quite thin, long, and large, with a layer of hair covering the branches, and the trunk is relatively short. When ripe, the thorns of the durian jackfruit are not sharp like other jackfruit varieties but flat, with large, sparse thorn eyes.
The owner of this jackfruit variety states that the durian jackfruit will begin to bear fruit after about 18 months. Each tree can produce about 20 fruits, with an average weight of 2.5-3kg per fruit.
After the experimental growth period, Mr. Khang assessed that this jackfruit variety is easy to cultivate, well-suited to Vietnam’s conditions and soil. To achieve beautiful, uniform fruits, farmers should manage to keep 5-7 fruits per tree, ensuring a balanced fruit-to-tree ratio to concentrate nutrients for healthy growth.
From the initial branches brought back, Mr. Khang has successfully created 3 types of durian jackfruit with different flesh colors: pink, cream, and yellow.
Each type has its own distinct flavor; among them, the yellow-fleshed durian jackfruit is rated as superior, with thick flesh, small seeds, and especially segments that closely resemble the seeds of durian fruit.
In Tan Loc Islet, farmers have been developing plum trees for many years. When switching to durian jackfruit cultivation, the soil conditions somewhat affect the quality of the jackfruit. Mr. Loc evaluated that from the time the tree flowers until harvest, which takes about 5 months, the quality of the first harvest only reaches about 70%.
Mr. Nguyen Huu Khang has successfully created 3 types of durian jackfruit with different flesh colors: pink, cream, and yellow. (Photo: Thu Hien/TTXVN).
Currently, there are a few gardens in Tan Loc Islet that are trial cultivating durian jackfruit and have harvested their first crop. Being a new and unique variety, it commands a high price of 80,000 VND/kg, attracting many buyers eager to try it.
Upon discovering this unique jackfruit variety, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh from Tan Loc Islet purchased it to try and shared her experience: the jackfruit is sweet, rich, with dry, thick segments.
With initial success from the durian-flavored jackfruit, Mr. Nguyen Huu Khang continues to sell seedlings for farmers to plant at a price of 200,000 VND per tree.
Regarding the cultivation techniques for durian jackfruit, Mr. Khang advises farmers to focus on using organic fertilizers like kitchen ash, cow manure, etc., to apply in the gardens. He especially emphasizes the need to manage pests, particularly using fruit bags to protect the fruit.
Evaluating the new jackfruit variety in the district, Mr. Truong Tan Luc, Head of the District Economic Department, stated that this is a jackfruit variety with a durian aroma that has appeared for the first time in the locality and has great potential. The jackfruit has been successfully cultivated and sold in the market at a high price.
In the near future, Mr. Khang plans to expand and develop the durian jackfruit variety, securing product sales for distribution across the country.
Initially, the durian-flavored jackfruit has provided high economic benefits. However, as a new variety, the long-term market potential remains uncertain. Therefore, the District Infrastructure Economic Department will continue to monitor this crop variety to gradually provide guidance and direction for farmers to cultivate and develop durian jackfruit.
