Central Highlands provinces asked to not expand macadamia area

A macadamia grower in the Central Highlands(Photo: VNA)

Dak Lak (VNA) – The Central Highlands provinces of Dak Lak, Lam Dong, Dak Nong, Gia Lai and Kon Tum have stopped expanding the area grown with macadamia trees, said the Tay Nguyen Agro-Forestry Science Technology Institute.

Meanwhile, local farm households and businesses are advised to focus on the cultivation of planted trees.

Macadamia trees have recently been grown in the Central Highlands on a pilot project and given yields after 5-7 years. Experts say further studies on land, climate, seedlings and cultivation techniques should be carried out before the tree is put into large-scale cultivation in the region.

Dak Lak province, which boasts the third largest macadamia area after Lam Dong and Dak Nong, has stopped the cultivation of new macadamia trees until 2020, with orientations to 2030.

Director of the Dak Lak Department of Planning and Investment Dinh Xuan Ha said local farmers should grow macadamia trees along with industrial and perennial fruit trees such as coffee, avocado and durian to maintain their income and avoid risks.

Macadamia trees made first appearance in Vietnam in the 1990s, but farmers in the Central Highlands only started cultivating them in 2000.

The region is currently home to more than 2,266ha of macadamia trees, or 64.01 percent of the country’s total crop area, mainly in Lam Dong (44.04 percent) and Dak Nong (35.3 percent). The region produces 246 tonnes of nuts per year, accounting for 91.45 percent of the country’s output.

Experts say since it is a relatively new species, further studies should be conducted to ensure its efficiency and reduce risks for growers. - VNA