Organic coconut farming increases economic value

Mr. Kim Van Thanh (right), Bot Chech hamlet shares how to harvest wax coconut on traditional coconut trees grown organically.

In October 2024, Tra Vinh province was approved by the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) to grant 09 codes for coconut growing areas and packaging facilities exported to China in Official Dispatch No. 2355/BVTV-HTQT, dated October 17, 2024 of the Plant Protection Department on coconut growing areas and packaging facilities exported to China.

To facilitate the export of fresh coconuts to China, sustainably, without affecting the reputation of fresh coconuts exported from Vietnam. Accordingly, the Department of Cultivation and Plant Protection of Tra Vinh province will guide units with approved codes to comply with the regulations of Vietnam and the importing country; require packaging facilities to inspect the shipment before export to ensure that it is not contaminated with plant quarantine objects of concern to China and comply with plant quarantine and food safety requirements.

Localities with growing areas and packaging facilities must ensure traceability of export shipments. For growing areas and packaging facilities that violate the regulations, the provincial Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection will stop exporting for growing area codes and packaging facilities according to the notification of violations by the importing country.

Comrade Huynh Van Tam, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Luong Hoa Commune, said: O Chich B Hamlet and Bot Chech Hamlet are localities approved by the General Department of Customs of China to grant planting area codes, thereby contributing to increasing the economic value of coconut trees and people's income. The commune's coconut area is currently over 600 hectares, of which 574 hectares are bearing fruit; 2.3 hectares of wax coconut and 524.55 hectares of organic coconut and is linked with Thuan Phong Agricultural Products Processing Company Limited for purchase.

In the coming time, the commune will continue to build coconut material areas in Ba Se A and Ba Se B hamlets to be granted planting area codes and expand coconut growing areas in some neighboring hamlets. In addition, the commune encourages people to convert ineffective rice fields and mixed gardens to coconut growing to meet domestic and export market demand, while ensuring the commune's annual production planning.

Farmer Nguyen Van Phuong, O Chich B hamlet, Luong Hoa commune said: since switching to organic coconut farming, the price of coconuts has increased compared to before by 5,000 - 10,000 VND/dozen. With 1.5 hectares of coconuts currently producing 1,800 fruits/month, the recent selling price was 110,000 VND/dozen, earning more than 15 million VND/month.

According to Mr. Phuong, this year the price of coconut is high, so farmers have a significant source of income. Coconut is an easy-to-grow tree, requires little care, and has a stable income. Especially at the end of 2023, the hamlet's coconut material area will be recognized as meeting organic standards and will be given a growing area code, which will help coconut growers increase their economic value in the future.

Visiting the family of farmer Kim Van Thanh, Bot Chech hamlet, a household with more than 10 years of experience in growing coconuts, he said: with 1.2 hectares of coconut converted from rice land in recent years, it has brought in income double or triple compared to previous rice cultivation. Especially growing coconuts, the cost is low, less labor intensive than rice and other crops. Growing coconuts in an organic direction, growers mainly use manure and organic fertilizers, so the cost is much lower than the cost of chemical fertilizers. With the current price of 110,000 VND/dozen coconuts, the monthly income is more than 10 million VND.

In addition to growing coconuts organically to serve the market, he also grows about 100 traditional wax coconut trees for a significant income, producing about 30 - 40 fruits per month, selling for 50,000 - 100,000 VND/fruit. Due to land conditions, the wax ratio on coconut trees is about 30%, so the yield is less than in other areas.

Article and photos: MY NHAN

Source: https://www.baotravinh.vn/kinh-te/trong-dua-theo-huong-huu-co-nang-cao-gia-tri-kinh-te-41430.html