A pepper field - Illustration photo (Photo: Internet) Binh Phuoc (VNA) – Solutions for the sustainable development of pepper cultivation were the focus of a forum held in the southeastern province of Binh Phuoc on October 31 in the context of a surge in pepper tree acreage across the country.
The acreage of pepper plants, at 110,000ha, has now surpassed plans by 51,000 ha, with total peppercorn output estimated at 176,000 tonnes a year.
The Central Highlands and Southeast regions account for more than 93 percent of pepper acreage and 95 percent of peppercorn output.
Policy makers said the unplanned expansion of pepper cultivation, prompted by rising prices of peppercorn, faces potential risks from the lack of quality pepper varieties, the spread of diseases and substandard cultivation techniques.
The Cultivation Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) reported that it is reviewing the ecological conditions in pepper growing areas in order to find areas most suitable for the industrial crop.
The MARD will help with the selection of varieties while encouraging the use of advanced and clean cultivation methods, with priority given to certified farming models, in order to enhance quality of peppercorn products.
Chairwoman of the Vietnam Pepper Association Nguyen Mai Oanh forecast that peppercorn export can surpass 150,000 tonnes, adding that 132,000 tonnes were shipped abroad in the first nine months of this year, earning more than 1.2 billion USD, up 32 percent year on year.
Oanh said towards sustainable development, farmers and exporters should work together to build a chain value and obtain certificate of origin for domestic pepper products.-VNA
