Discussing solutions for managing coconut tree 'health'

DNVN - The Vietnamese coconut industry is facing many new challenges: climate change, pests and diseases, seed quality, production standards and traceability requirements... Managers, scientists, businesses, cooperatives and farmers are discussing and sharing experiences towards the goal of sustainable development.

On the morning of November 6, Tra Vinh University coordinated with the Agriculture and Environment Newspaper, the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection, the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Vinh Long province, and the Vietnam Coconut Association to co-organize the forum "Communication on health management of Vietnamese coconut trees to meet production requirements associated with consumers".

Applying new technology to solve the problem of coconut tree "health".

Climate change "threatens"

Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Minh Hoa - Rector of Tra Vinh University (TVU) said that Vietnam is currently among the top 10 countries with the largest coconut growing area and output in the world , in which the Mekong Delta (MD) accounts for more than 80% of the country's coconut growing area.

Coconut trees not only provide livelihoods for millions of households but are also a strategic source of raw materials for processing, export and green economic development. However, the Vietnamese coconut industry is facing many new challenges: climate change, pests and diseases, seed quality, production standards and traceability requirements from international markets.

Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Minh Hoa - Principal of Tra Vinh University.

Mr. Hoa said that, to contribute to solving the problems of the coconut industry, training and research institutions in the region - including TVU - have been actively joining hands with many specific activities: the school has implemented cooperative research projects on breeding, pest control, deep processing and commercialization of coconut products.

In addition, the school also built the Mekong Delta Coconut Institute project, aiming to become a center of knowledge, technology and training of high-quality human resources for the Vietnamese coconut industry. At the same time, it develops training programs, startups and innovation associated with the coconut value chain, helping students and local communities access knowledge, apply technology and develop sustainably.

“When we talk about ‘coconut tree health management’, it is not just about protecting a crop, but also protecting livelihoods, brands and the future of Vietnam’s agriculture sector,” Mr. Hoa emphasized.

Mr. Nguyen Huu Hue - Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Vinh Long province identified that coconut is a key crop, has long been associated with farmers and is the main source of income for a part of the people in the province. Annually, the total production value of coconut trees in 2025 is estimated at 4,180 billion VND (at 2010 comparative prices) and about 11,000 billion VND (at current prices)... contributing to the development of livelihoods, increasing income and improving the lives of nearly 270,000 households in the province.

Mr. Nguyen Huu Hue - Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Vinh Long province identified that coconut is a key crop that has long been associated with farmers.

The coconut industry in Vinh Long province has been facing serious challenges caused by climate change: lack of fresh water and drought, increasing the risk of water shortage, affecting the flowering and fruiting process. High tides limit root development when coconut gardens are completely flooded or deeply flooded for a long time, the coconut tree roots do not receive enough oxygen, leading to root rot and failure to grow...

To solve the above problem, Mr. Hue proposed that the agriculture and environment sector and Vinh Long province implement the project "Evaluate physical and chemical properties, build soil maps, apply ArcGIS to create a database of specialized coconut growing areas and propose solutions to improve soil health, manage soil nutrition for coconut growing areas and organic coconut growing areas to improve productivity, quality and competitiveness of the coconut industry in Vinh Long province in the period 2026 - 2030, with a vision to 2050".

Applying new technology

According to Ms. Huynh Thi Ngoc Diem - Deputy Director of the Southern Center for Cultivation and Plant Protection, the Mekong Delta has a large coconut growing area, but it is mainly concentrated in some provinces such as Ben Tre, Tra Vinh and Soc Trang. However, the quality of coconut is not uniform, some products do not meet export standards due to unsynchronized planting and care techniques. Some areas still use outdated irrigation methods, affecting productivity and quality.

Ms. Huynh Thi Ngoc Diem - Deputy Director of Southern Center for Cultivation and Plant Protection.

Climate change affects water resources and growing conditions of coconut trees. Pests arise, are difficult to control, increase the cost of pest control, reduce profits and competition from other countries for coconut products, as well as price fluctuations.

Meanwhile, many farmers have not yet properly applied advanced technical measures in growing and caring for coconuts. Ms. Diem believes that it is necessary to invest in and apply new technology: using drip irrigation technology, sensor systems to monitor soil moisture and nutrition. Or applying automatic irrigation systems, remote control... Developing coconut varieties with higher productivity and quality, better disease resistance.

Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Trai - Mekong Delta Coconut Institute (research group of Tra Vinh University) shared that coconut trees play a key role in protecting the ecological environment, forming green belts to break waves, prevent erosion and adapt to climate change, especially saltwater intrusion.

Coconut products are very diverse: food, beverages, industrial materials, cosmetics, construction materials and handicrafts. The coconut tree is called the "Tree of Life". Therefore, the orientation of research on selection, breeding and processing to serve the development of the coconut industry in the Mekong Delta is very necessary.

Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Trai - Mekong Delta Coconut Institute (research group of Tra Vinh University) .

According to Mr. Trai, it is necessary to prioritize research topics on the application of biotechnology, especially plant cell tissue culture technology and molecular biology, in selecting and creating high-quality coconut varieties that can adapt to climate change and saline intrusion in the province, especially in the three main coconut groups today: oil coconut, water coconut and wax coconut.

Prioritize funding for research on disease prevention and control in coconuts in a biosafety direction. Post-harvest research: deep processing, extraction of biologically active substances from coconuts and wax coconuts to develop sustainably and turn coconut trees into a truly key crop with high economic value, contributing to economic development.

Especially research on circular agriculture on coconut trees, such as using by-products from coconut processing to process into organic fertilizer for organic coconut gardens or value-added products from coconut by-products.

“Especially, research on the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in coconut farming, especially the timely detection of pests and diseases as well as forecasting environmental fluctuations,” said Mr. Trai.

Long Van - Tri Tran

Source: https://doanhnghiepvn.vn/cong-nghe/ban-giai-phap-quan-ly-suc-khoe-cay-dua/20251106110126579