Potential of chestnut trees in the highlands

As the cool autumn winds arrive, plump, glossy brown chestnuts fall beneath the forest canopy, signaling the arrival of harvest season. For the people of highland communes like Na Phac, Ngan Son, and Bang Van, the chestnut season is not only a joyous harvest but also considered a "golden season" that contributes to improving their economic lives.

People in many communes in the northern part of the province have developed the cultivation of chestnut trees, which provides them with a stable income.

About half a century ago, many households in Na Phac, Ngan Son, and Bang Van communes brought Trung Khanh chestnut trees ( from Cao Bang province) to plant around their homes for family use. Along with that, the area also has many ancient local chestnut trees.

Recognizing that this type of nut was a popular delicacy, locals began propagating it and expanding the planting area. Later, upon discovering a variety of chestnut that produced larger, more fragrant nuts with higher yields, people continued to purchase seedlings to plant, gradually expanding it into a specialty crop region.

To date, the three communes of Na Phac, Ngan Son, and Bang Van have over 100 hectares of chestnut trees, of which nearly 30 hectares are yielding a stable harvest. Currently, the people have entered the chestnut harvesting season, and these days they are busy collecting and bringing the chestnuts home to separate the kernels.

This year, chestnut prices range from 80,000 to 100,000 VND/kg, making the joy of the harvest even more complete. On average, a 5-year-old chestnut tree yields about 10kg of nuts, while well-cared-for trees over 10 years old can yield 20kg of fresh nuts, providing a stable income for the family.

The family of Mr. Nong Van Cuong in Bang Van commune has been involved in seedling cultivation and fruit tree planting for many years. About 10 years ago, recognizing the clear economic benefits of chestnut trees, he shifted his focus to propagating and planting this type of tree. Currently, his family owns nearly 1 hectare of chestnut trees, yielding several hundred kilograms of nuts annually, providing a stable income.

Mr. Nong Van Cuong shared: "Thanks to the chestnut tree, my family's economy is more stable, allowing us to provide for our children's education and reinvest in expanding production. I believe that if people know how to care for it using the right techniques, this will be a sustainable source of wealth."

The harvested chestnuts are shelled manually or using shelling machines by the locals. Afterward, the chestnuts are sorted and sold to customers. Local authorities are guiding people to develop chestnut cultivation sustainably through intercropping models combined with forest protection. In the coming time, the three communes of Na Phac, Ngan Son, and Bang Van aim to expand the area under chestnut cultivation by approximately 100 hectares, gradually forming a concentrated area for this specialty crop.

Ms. Duong Thi Phuong Que, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairwoman of the People's Committee of Ngan Son commune, said: "Chestnut trees not only bring significant income to the people but also contribute to greening barren land, reducing erosion, and protecting the ecological environment. The commune government will continue to coordinate with specialized agencies to provide technical training, support with seedlings, and connect with consumption markets, helping people feel secure in expanding their cultivation area. We expect that in the next few years, chestnut trees will become a key crop, creating a specialty brand for the locality."

Not content with just selling fresh chestnuts, many households and cooperatives in the region have aimed to turn chestnuts into an OCOP (One Commune One Product) product, elevating the value of this local specialty.

To achieve this, local authorities are encouraging farmers to form cooperatives for growing and processing chestnuts. By coming together, farmers can share experiences, apply standardized technical processes, and have a stronger voice in building brands and finding markets for their products.

The goal of developing chestnut products to meet OCOP standards will build credibility and brand recognition in the market. Once a brand is established, the value of chestnuts will increase, opening up opportunities to expand the product's reach.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/kinh-te/202508/tiem-nang-tu-cay-de-o-vung-cao-7946597/