Macadamia planting in Pha Mu has shown positive signs

In recent years, Pha Mu commune (Than Uyen district) has actively encouraged people to change their crop structure, gradually turning macadamia trees into a development direction...

Previously, most households in Pha Mu commune mainly cultivated corn and cassava on steep hillsides, with difficult farming conditions and low productivity, resulting in low economic efficiency. People's lives were still difficult, with unstable incomes. In order to find a new direction to improve people's lives, in 2019, Than Uyen district mobilized people to change crop structure and put macadamia trees with economic value into production.

Responding to the district's policy, the Party Committee and the Pha Mu commune government actively propagated and encouraged people to boldly change their farming practices, gradually switching to growing macadamia trees on ineffective sloping land. With advantages such as easy to grow, few pests and diseases, and low care, macadamia trees were quickly accepted by the people.

Leaders of Pha Mu commune (Than Uyen district) check the growth and development of macadamia trees.

A typical example is the family of Mr. Lo Van Giot in Pa Khom village. Realizing the potential of the new crop, his family invested in planting more than 3,000m² of macadamia. After a few years of care, in 2024, his macadamia hill began to bear fruit, yielding nearly 100 kg of fresh fruit. With a selling price ranging from 50,000 - 80,000 VND/kg, his family has an initially stable source of income. According to Mr. Giot, in 2025, the tree will enter the peak harvest period, with an expected yield of about half a ton of fresh fruit, bringing in a significant income, much higher than growing corn or rice in the past. His family hopes that macadamia will be a new direction to help escape poverty sustainably. Similarly, the family of Mr. Lo Van Yen (Pa Khom village) has planted 3,000m² of macadamia and has harvested. Mr. Yen shared: "Macadamia not only helps save on care but also brings high economic efficiency, helping families gradually stabilize their lives."

The initial success of Mr. Giot and Mr. Yen's family model has created a ripple effect in the community, motivating many other households in the village to boldly convert crops. Up to now, the whole Pha Mu commune has 21.15 hectares of macadamia trees, mainly concentrated in the villages of Chit and Pa Khom. Mr. Vang A Su - Vice Chairman of Pha Mu Commune People's Committee said: Macadamia trees grow well, adapt to the local climate, have few pests and diseases, and low investment costs. The whole commune currently has 14.95 hectares that have entered the harvest period, each tree can produce 3 - 5 kg of fresh fruit. With an average selling price of 50,000 - 80,000 VND/kg of fresh fruit (depending on whether the fruit has been peeled or not), macadamia growers can earn 20 - 30 million VND/ha/year, a much higher income than traditional crops.

People of Pa Khom village (Pha Mu commune) prune branches to help macadamia trees grow balanced, have even canopy, and bear lots of fruit.

In addition to its economic value, macadamia trees also have low investment and maintenance costs, suitable for working conditions in highland areas. In particular, macadamia trees can be intercropped with other crops such as corn, peanuts, soybeans, etc., helping to effectively utilize production land and create diverse sources of income. Not only that, with deep roots and a wide canopy, macadamia trees also have the effect of preventing erosion, retaining soil and water, contributing to forest protection and sustainable agricultural development.

In the coming time, Pha Mu commune will continue to plan suitable macadamia growing areas, striving to increase the total area to over 30 hectares by 2026. At the same time, actively call for businesses to invest in processing, post-harvest preservation, building macadamia product brands associated with agricultural tourism development and the OCOP program.

Source: https://baolaichau.vn/kinh-te/trong-mac-ca-tai-pha-mu-da-co-tin-hieu-vui-1008245