Macadamia 'capital' Tuy Duc puts organic criteria first

Currently, Dak Nong province is developing a plan to develop Tuy Duc district into the province's macadamia "capital" towards organic and sustainable farming.

Macadamia Cooperative puts organic criteria first

Mr. Doan Le Anh, Chairman of the Tuy Duc District Farmers' Association, is one of the pioneers in developing macadamia trees in this difficult land.

“More than ten years ago, I was the first person to experimentally plant macadamia trees in some communes of Tuy Duc according to the province's plan on crop conversion. After implementing it for a while, some places where macadamia trees were grown were not effective, so many people were discouraged and expressed scepticism. I still persevere and continue to experiment with growing several different macadamia varieties in the same soil area. And every day I am more and more affirmed about the feasibility of macadamia in Tuy Duc when there is a macadamia variety suitable for the locality, with stable productivity and high income," Mr Doan Le Anh said.

From 2 ha of macadamia trial planted in 2010, up to now, the macadamia area in Tuy Duc has increased to more than 2,130 ha. Of which, more than half of the area (1,240 ha) is being harvested. In 2022, Tuy Duc's macadamia output will reach more than 600 tons. According to the assessment of the Farmers' Association of Dak Nong province, macadamia trees grown in the district grow well and are less susceptible to pests and diseases. Although the harvested output is not much compared to the potential, initial steps show that macadamia trees are suitable for the climate and soil conditions in Tuy Duc.

Mr Dieu Duy, a M'nong ethnic group in Dak Huyt village, Quang Truc commune (Tuy Duc district), said that his family had 2 ha of the garden, before planting macadamia, he grew coffee, with a yield of only 2.5 - 3 tons/ha. Depending on the market price, each year's revenue is only about VND 200 million (excluding expenses). Except for investment costs, the money earned from coffee trees in the past was only enough to cover expenses, but not surplus. In 2017, he was advised to grow macadamia trees, after receiving training and visiting several macadamia gardens in the area. He decided to switch from coffee to growing macadamia trees and was supported by the district Farmers' Association with seedlings.

“Last year, I harvested my first macadamia crop, there weren't many fruits, but after selling, minus expenses, I still had a profit of VND 200 million. This is the first crop, but in 3 years, if I take good care of it, the yield will be several times higher because my macadamia garden is growing very well. While taking care of this tree is easier than coffee or pepper, the cost of fertilizer and irrigation is also less than coffee", Mr Dieu Duy said excitedly.

One of the leading units in developing macadamia growing areas in Tuy Duc is Long Viet Cooperative in Quang Truc commune with more than 10 years of experience. The cooperative currently has 22 official members and 45 affiliated households, with a total macadamia area of 300 ha.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy Dung, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors and Director of Long Viet Cooperative, said that on average, each ha of macadamia trees yields about 1 - 1.5 tons, price range from VND 100 - 110 thousand/kg (price purchased by the cooperative from members).

"In 2022, in a macadamia garden with 100 trees, I harvested 2.4 tons of fruit. This is the highest yield here. To achieve this productivity, in addition to using new varieties with higher yields, we must also clearly understand the care process, understand the tree, and understand the soil.

Crops are favourable for organic production

With the characteristics of being a perennial tree that produces both seeds and wood and increases land cover, the macadamia tree has been recognized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development as a multi-purpose forestry tree. Developing macadamia trees will bring dual values, both increasing income and creating green areas for land, increasing forest cover and protecting the environment.

Techniques for growing, harvesting, processing, and preserving macadamia nuts are simple, do not require much care, and have low investment costs. It is very suitable for the simple traditional farming practices of ethnic minority households with little capital and little knowledge of farming.

Currently, in Tuy Duc district there are 8 establishments and 2 agents purchasing, pre-processing and processing macadamia nuts. In Quang Truc commune, there are 2 cooperatives specializing in the production, purchasing and processing of macadamia nuts. In particular, Long Viet Cooperative has dried macadamia products that meet OCOP 3-star certification and 70 ha of macadamia trees that meet VietGAP farming standards, following the organic direction.

“In the coming time, Tuy Duc district will continue to expand the macadamia growing area in areas with suitable conditions, prioritize the construction and formation of large-scale concentrated macadamia growing areas in the communes of Quang Truc, Dak Buk So, Quang Tam. Promote investment in applying high technology to care, applying standard organic farming processes, and creating quality products", said Mr Doan Le Anh.