Macadamia trees on Muong Chien land

After 6 years of taking root in Muong Chien land, macadamia trees have shown to be suitable for the climate and soil and have gradually become the choice of many farmers to replace ineffective short-term crops.

People of Muong Chien commune take care of macadamia trees.

As one of the pioneers, in 2019, Lien Viet Son La Joint Stock Company piloted planting more than 70 hectares of macadamia in Muong Chien commune in an organic direction, applying scientific and technical advances; investing in building infrastructure to serve production, including 35 km of contour roads; more than 5 km of public roads; 1 warehouse; 4 ponds and 4 water tanks; 3 domestic electricity systems; 8 hectares of irrigation system; 2 fertilizer collection points. Up to now, the macadamia trees have grown well, the company has expanded to more than 145 hectares, of which about 65 hectares are being harvested.

Mr. Duong Van Dat, Director of Lien Viet Son La Joint Stock Company, said: Macadamia trees are very suitable for the climate in Muong Chien commune; they can withstand frost, drought and have few pests. In particular, macadamia can be intercropped with tea, coffee or short-term crops, helping to use land effectively. Currently, the Company is purchasing all macadamia products for people in the commune, and at the same time developing many processed products such as shelled nuts, macadamia kernels, macadamia wine and cooking oil.

In addition, Lien Viet Son La Joint Stock Company also supported 5 households in the commune to test growing macadamia trees. As one of the pioneering households to convert more than 3 hectares of corn and cassava land to macadamia, Mr. Tan Van Pac, Phieng Pay village, said: In 2019, when Lien Viet Son La Joint Stock Company implemented the project, seeing the potential, my family decided to invest more than 100 million VND to improve the land and buy seedlings from the Company. I actively participated in training courses, learned through books, newspapers, and social networks about macadamia planting and care techniques. Up to now, the macadamia garden has borne fruit, harvested nearly 2 tons of fresh fruit, and sold for more than 100 million VND. In particular, all products are guaranteed by the Company, so we are very secure.

Currently, Muong Chien commune has nearly 160 hectares of macadamia, of which about 80 hectares have been harvested, mainly concentrated in Phieng Pay and Bon villages, with a yield of 7-8 tons of fresh fruit per year. With a selling price of 50-70 thousand VND/kg, macadamia trees are bringing a stable source of income to the people.

Mr. Dieu Chinh Hai, Vice Chairman of Muong Chien Commune People's Committee, said: Macadamia trees have helped to cover bare hills, improve the ecological environment and bring high economic value. In the coming time, the commune will expand the area according to the plan, replicate effective models and support people to apply technical advances to improve product quality and increase sustainable economic value.

Initial results show that macadamia trees have become a fulcrum for agricultural economic development in Muong Chien commune, opening up sustainable livelihoods and bringing stable income to the people.

Source: https://baosonla.vn/kinh-te/cay-mac-ca-tren-dat-muong-chien-WivrlhqHg.html