Science and technology: Leverage to increase the value of the coconut industry in the West

The Mekong Delta (MD) is famous for its vast coconut gardens, stretching from Ben Tre, Tra Vinh, Vinh Long to Soc Trang, Ca Mau. Coconut is not only an important source of income for millions of farming households but also a symbol of Western culture, closely associated with daily life, cuisine and festivals. However, in the context of an increasingly competitive global market, climate change, saline intrusion and the need to increase product value, the coconut industry is facing a challenge: How to exploit its full potential, develop sustainably and increase economic value?

Previously, coconut propagation mainly relied on mother trees, which was time-consuming and had inconsistent yields. Thanks to the application of tissue culture and sexual embryo transfer technology, research institutes and businesses have created quality, uniform seedlings that retain the good characteristics of the mother tree and adapt to many different soil conditions.

One of the clear evidences is the success of the wax coconut tree, a rare specialty of Ben Tre . Thanks to embryo culture technology, scientists have propagated a large number of high-quality wax coconut trees, with a wax fruit ratio of about 85-95%, meeting domestic and export demand. This result not only helps to preserve rare varieties but also expands the planting area, increases productivity and income for farmers.

Breeding technology also helps the coconut industry increase the ability to replant, reduce risks caused by diseases and climate change, creating conditions for coconut gardens to develop stably and sustainably. This is truly a turning point, marking the "modernization" of the traditional coconut industry.

Science and technology does not stop at improving varieties, but also extends to smart farming solutions. Through land surveys and understanding soil characteristics, farmers can adjust the amount of fertilizer, irrigation, control pests, and improve the quality and productivity of coconuts.

Drip irrigation, humidity sensor, automatic irrigation models… have been tested in many provinces of the Mekong Delta, helping to save water, increase the efficiency of fertilizer use and reduce production costs. In the context of complex saline intrusion and climate change, these solutions help coconut growers be more proactive in taking care of their gardens, limiting damage and improving their ability to adapt to harsh natural conditions.

A remarkable story in Tra Vinh : thanks to the application of automatic irrigation technology combined with the selection of salt-tolerant varieties, the productivity of coconut gardens during the recent drought and salinity season remained stable, while other traditional gardens were severely affected. This is a clear demonstration of the important role of science and technology in protecting and developing the coconut industry.

If only raw coconuts are grown and exported, the economic value of the industry is still limited. Science and technology helps the Mekong Delta coconut industry to exploit the full potential of deep processing, from coconut water, coconut oil, coconut meat to by-products such as fiber, shell, activated carbon. The application of modern processing technology not only meets the needs of the domestic market but also expands export opportunities to demanding markets such as Japan, the EU or the US.

In particular, wax coconut – with thick, sticky flesh – has been processed into high-end products such as functional foods, confectionery and cosmetics, contributing to enhancing the economic value and brand of Vietnamese coconut. Research projects on deep processing also focus on ecological agricultural solutions, using organic fertilizers, limiting toxic chemicals, reducing environmental impacts, while increasing product value, creating a green, clean and sustainable coconut industry.

The Mekong Delta is a region heavily affected by climate change, saltwater intrusion, high tides, weather and land fluctuations. In this context, science and technology plays a key role in helping the coconut industry adapt. Research on drought and salt tolerant varieties, along with water management technology, smart irrigation and circular agriculture models help increase productivity, improve coconut quality and ensure sustainable development.

Thanks to the application of science and technology, many farming households have not only maintained productivity but also expanded the area of ​​coconut cultivation in an ecological direction, reducing negative impacts on the environment and building the brand of green - safe - quality Vietnamese coconut.

One of the major lessons of the coconut industry is that science and technology must be accompanied by close links between research, businesses and farmers. Currently, there are still many good studies that have not been commercialized or widely applied, leading to sub-optimal efficiency.

To take advantage of science and technology, the coconut industry needs to build linkage models: research institutes provide seeds, techniques and technology; businesses participate in processing and brand building; farmers provide quality raw materials. When the value chain is connected, the Mekong Delta coconut can fully exploit its potential, from improving productivity, reducing costs, increasing income to building international export brands.

Despite many advances, the coconut industry still faces some major challenges: Deep processing has not developed evenly, only about 30% of output is processed into high-value products; The link between research - businesses - farmers is still weak, technology has not been widely applied; The market has increasingly high requirements for quality, traceability, green and safe products.

To overcome these challenges, it is necessary to continue promoting science and technology, training and supporting farmers, building policies to encourage innovation, developing brands, and enhancing the value of Vietnamese coconuts in the international market.

The Mekong Delta coconut industry faces a great opportunity to increase its value, but to turn potential into reality, science and technology are indispensable factors. From breeding, cultivation, deep processing to environmental management and brand building, science and technology are making a difference, helping the coconut industry develop sustainably, increase farmers’ income and contribute to promoting the image of Vietnamese agricultural products to the world.

With science and technology as the "golden key", coconut is no longer a mere traditional agricultural crop but has become a modern, green, sustainable industry, opening up a prosperous future for the West and the whole country.

Center for Science and Technology Communication

Source: https://mst.gov.vn/khoa-hoc-va-cong-nghe-don-bay-nang-gia-tri-nganh-dua-mien-tay-197251130152317617.htm