Success through science

Members of Bac Son Macadamia Cooperative check the quality of macadamia nuts before harvesting.

Since 2016, some households in Vu Le commune have proactively put macadamia trees into production. However, at that time, people had not applied science and technology, the planting area was small, so the economic efficiency was not really clear.

With the desire to build and develop a more sustainable macadamia growing model, the Vu Le commune government has encouraged and mobilized people to join together to establish cooperatives to support each other, gradually increasing the value of products. Accordingly, at the end of December 2023, the Bac Son Macadamia Cooperative with 7 members was established, with a production scale of more than 10 hectares.

Mr. Luong Dinh Trinh, Director of Bac Son Macadamia Cooperative, said: Immediately after its establishment, the Cooperative was oriented and supported by specialized agencies and the commune government to develop production in the direction of VietGAP. Accordingly, all members of the Cooperative participated in training courses on the process and techniques of caring for macadamia trees according to VietGAP standards. At the same time, the Cooperative regularly organizes direct meetings for members to exchange and share experiences in caring for and preventing pests and diseases on macadamia trees... Currently, 100% of the Cooperative's macadamia growing area has been granted VietGAP certification.

In the 2024 macadamia crop, Bac Son Macadamia Cooperative sold over 10 tons of fresh macadamia nuts to the market, with a selling price of 27,000 - 28,000 VND/kg; over 2 tons of finished macadamia (dried and cracked shell) with a selling price of 160,000 VND/kg (over 30% sold through e-commerce), with a profit of nearly 600 million VND, bringing a stable income for cooperative members of 60 - 100 million VND/year. It is expected that in the 2025 macadamia crop, the cooperative's harvest output will reach over 13 tons, an increase of 3 tons compared to 2024.

Mr. Duong Huu Toan, a member of the Cooperative, said: In 2019, my family planted about 100 macadamia trees. After 4 years of planting, the trees began to yield. However, in the past, I mainly took care of them in the traditional way, so the productivity was not high. By the end of 2023, when joining the Cooperative, my family was instructed on the process and care techniques according to VietGAP. Thanks to applying the technique to production, the productivity of my family's macadamia garden increased by 10 to 15%, the product design is beautiful, and the fruits are large and even. Currently, it is the macadamia harvest season, my family has harvested about 1.4 tons, with a stable selling price of 27,000 - 28,000 VND/kg.

In addition to focusing on quality, the Cooperative also cares about building product brands. Accordingly, the Cooperative has invested 150 million VND to equip machines such as industrial dryers, seed separator machines, vacuum machines, etc. for deep processing. At the same time, the Cooperative has proactively registered to participate in the One Commune One Product (OCOP) Program and researched and designed packaging, labels, traceability stamps, etc. In 2024, the Cooperative's cracked-shelled macadamia products were certified as 3-star OCOP products.

With thorough investment in quality and brand building, the cooperative's macadamia products have been known to many consumers and have been consumed stably in the market. Mr. Luong Dinh Trinh, Director of the Cooperative, added: To improve efficiency, the Cooperative has encouraged and mobilized members to proactively approach and apply e-commerce channels and social networks such as Zalo, Facebook, TikTok... to post articles introducing and selling products. Thanks to that, currently, the cooperative's macadamia products are not only consumed in the provincial market but also expanded to other provinces and cities such as Hanoi , Bac Ninh... In the 2024 macadamia crop alone, the Cooperative sold over 10 tons of fresh macadamia nuts to the market, with prices ranging from 27,000 - 28,000 VND/kg; over 2 tons of finished macadamia products (dried and cracked) with a selling price of 160,000 VND/kg (over 30% sold via e-commerce), profit reached nearly 600 million VND, bringing stable income to cooperative members from 60 - 100 million VND/year. It is expected that in the 2025 macadamia crop, the cooperative's harvest output will reach over 13 tons, an increase of 3 tons compared to 2024.

Mr. Hoang Van Thuy, Head of the Economic Department of Vu Le Commune, said: Bac Son Macadamia Cooperative has successfully applied scientific and technical advances to improve productivity, quality and value of macadamia products. This is also one of the typical cooperatives in the commune. In the coming time, the department will continue to create conditions for the cooperative to develop and expand the model; at the same time, support the cooperative to bring products to display and promote at events and exhibitions in and outside the province, thereby contributing to helping the cooperative bring products to consumers and expand the consumption market.

Source: https://baolangson.vn/ung-dung-ky-thuat-nang-gia-tri-san-pham-mac-ca-5063009.html