Safe land for macadamia trees

According to statistics, 14 out of 17 municipalities in Gia Lai province cultivate macadamia on a total area of 2,200 hectares. Nearly 2,000 hectares of macadamia plantations are located in the Kbang district, primarily in the communes of Son Pai, Son Lang, Dak Rong, and Krong.

Setting a new position

We arrived at the So Pai commune in early July, coinciding with the macadamia harvest. Across the path leading to a resident's garden, lush macadamia trees and fruits are visible. We visited Lai Huy Hung's garden, where 3ha of macadamia trees are grown, including 2ha during harvest season.

According to Hung, it took five years for the macadamia tree to generate fruits, but the yield was consistent and increased annually. In particular, macadamia trees have a lifespan of over 50 years, so they can generate income for nearly the entirety of the cultivators' lives.

Hung revealed that approximately 6-7 years ago, the natives cultivated coffee, but the harvest was unpredictable. During this time, rarely-seen macadamia trees were planted. After a lot of consideration, he decided to take the risk of "go big or go home"

Until now, with the fruit-laden macadamia garden, Hung shared with enthusiasm: "Macadamia garden has now entered its second year of harvesting; minus expenses, 1ha family earns an average of 130-150 million VND." If there is no adverse weather during flowering, the yield can exceed 4 tons per hectare, resulting in an even greater profit.

According to Mr. Hung, macadamia is relatively simple to cultivate and thrive in mild climates such as the Kbang district. When macadamia flowers at the end of the year, if there is no precipitation and the temperature is between 20 and 22 degrees Celsius, the tree will develop well. The macadamia flowers will not produce fruit and will decay if the sun is too intense or if it is rainy. Fertilize 2-3 times a year and water consistently are the sole care requirements.

In reference to Son Lang commune, the Vice Chairman of Dinh Van Hdán commune stated that in recent years, macadamia trees have had a high economic value, prompting locals to expand the area. Currently, the commune has over 500 hectares of primarily intercropped macadamia and coffee plantations. In addition to planting, many households have begun refining macadamia trees to increase their value.

One macadamia variety in the Kbang district blooms at the end of the year, while the other blooms at the beginning of the year. At this time of year, the climate in Kbang district is relatively frigid, but there is no moisture; consequently, macadamia flowers grow well, bloom gorgeously, and produce fruit more easily than in other regions. If it rains, the blossoms will rot and the tree will die.

Building the Kbang Gia Lai brand of macadamias

For the Kbang district, coffee is still the primary commodity, while macadamia is primarily intercropped as a windbreak and to enhance people's income. However, in recent years macadamia trees have provided increasingly high economic value and have become the primary crop in the region.

Mr. Vo Thanh, chairman of the So Pai Commune People's Committee, stated that coffee was once regarded as the staple food. People only intercropped macadamia to create shade trees and earn additional income. However, in recent years, macadamia has progressively taken over, and the region is expanding. Currently, the commune has more than 590 hectares, not including the area of macadamia trees contracted by forestry companies so that residents can establish forests.

According to Mr. Thanh, the district of Kbang in general, and the So Pai commune, in particular, have a mild climate, verdant soil, and no gravel, which is ideal for the growth of macadamia trees. Macadamia has flourished since its introduction to trial plantings more than a decade ago, with clear effects.

Mr. Ma Van Tinh, head of the Kbang district's Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, stated that the macadamia tree has been tested for its efficacy since 2010, and has since been planted throughout the region.

In Kbang land, the macadamia tree is ideally suited, grows and develops well, and produces rotten fruit and a steady yield over time. From an area where coffee was primarily intercropped, the area of macadamia has been expanded through both intercropping and pure sowing. In 2015, the district had only about 100 hectares of macadamia trees; there are now more than 2,000 hectares.

3,000 hectares of the Kbang district will be planted with macadamia trees by 2030. In order to accomplish this, since 2018, the district has supported low-income households and ethnic minorities in their efforts to increase their income by intercropping macadamia trees. In addition, the district is working with the Gia Lai Department of Science and Technology to register the Kbang Gia Lai macadamia brand as a trademark.

Mr. Doan Ngoc Co, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in Gia Lai Province, stated that, according to field experiments, macadamia trees are relatively suited to the climate and soil conditions of the province's provinces. Particularly in the district of Kbang, the climate, and soil are appropriate for the growth of macadamia trees.

"The growing area of macadamia trees has proven their economic efficiency, particularly in terms of social security when creating numerous employment for ethnic minorities in remote areas. Doan Ngoc Co stated that the success of macadamia trees confirms that they are a tree with multiple uses, a forest tree with significant environmental significance that contributes to increasing the rate of forest cover and protecting the ecological environment.