Farmers invent cable car to carry custard apples from mountains

Many farmers in the northern mountainous province of Lang Son have constructed an improvised cable car to carry custard apples from the mountains.

Many farmers in the northern mountainous province of Lang Son have constructed an improvised cable car to carry custard apples from the mountains.

Custard apple harvesting is taking place in Chi Lang District. Since early morning, many people come to local Lan Giao Mountain to harvest the fruit.

Lanh Van Long, a local resident, said that it is very difficult to climb to mountains, so he can only pick up 6-8 baskets of custard-apples every morning.

Another local farmer named Hua Van Cuong said that his family grew around 500 custard apple trees covering a hectare on the mountain.

After being harvested, custard apples are brought to Dong Banh Market for sales.

People in Chi Lang have made a winch which they describe as a cable car to transport custard apples from the mountains to the ground. The tool is made from motorbike engines and cables.

The cable length depends on different heights of mountains and can run up to 700m. The brake is used to adjust the speed.

In 2011, the National Office of Intellectual Property of Vietnam issued a trademark for Chi Lang custard apples, aiming to raise the profile of Lang Son's speciality fruit and its value.

Chi Lang District grew custard apples across 1,500ha by 2016.

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