Warmth and prosperity thanks to the "queen" of nuts

Mr. Dieu Dak's family (Bon Bu Prang 1) has nearly 500 macadamia trees that have been harvested for 8 years. He intercropped these macadamia trees with coffee, helping the family have a stable source of income. Mr. Dieu Dak recalled that 10 years ago, due to having many children and lacking production materials, economic life was difficult. After receiving more than 400 macadamia seedlings supported by the government, the family intercropped them in the coffee plantation to have more income and escape poverty.

“After receiving support for seedlings, I was also trained in planting, caring for, and harvesting macadamia. By 2017, my family’s macadamia garden was ready for harvest. On average, we harvest about 2 tons of fresh fruit each year, with a selling price ranging from 80,000 - 100,000 VND/kg,” said Mr. Dieu Dak.

Mr. Dieu Khoe is one of the few households in Bu Prang 2 hamlet that has persevered with macadamia trees since the hamlet was re-established. After more than 10 years, macadamia trees have not only helped his family escape poverty but also built a new house worth more than 300 million VND. Excitedly introducing his family's property from macadamia trees, this M'nong man shared: "In the first few years, the income from macadamia was unstable, the output was not guaranteed, so some households were discouraged. My family has persevered with this crop, so we have achieved the results we have today. I believe that in the coming years, macadamia trees will bring a better life to the people in this border area."

Not stopping at farming, Quang Truc people are gradually participating in a closed value chain. The whole commune has 3 cooperatives specializing in growing, processing and consuming macadamia, in which many areas are cultivated according to VietGAP standards, some products have been recognized as meeting 4-star OCOP standards.

Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan - Director of Quang Truc Green Agricultural Cooperative said that from raw sales, Quang Truc's macadamia products have been processed and packaged into valuable products on the market. The unit's dried macadamia products are consumed in the Southern markets and some Northern provinces and cities. According to Mr. Tuan, in addition to bringing economic efficiency to growers and processors, macadamia also creates jobs for many local workers. Typically, Quang Truc Green Agricultural Cooperative, during peak times, can create jobs for nearly 30 local workers, while on normal days, there will be about 6 - 10 people working.

Identifying macadamia as a key crop, Quang Truc commune has been actively supporting people with techniques and varieties. The locality is also focusing on forming specialized areas, calling for investment in deep processing, building brands, promoting trade and promoting products to the market.

Mr. Doan Minh Thuan - Vice Chairman of Quang Truc Commune People's Committee assessed: "From a border area with many difficulties, Quang Truc is growing strongly thanks to macadamia trees. Not only contributing to changing the face of mountainous rural areas, macadamia trees also open up opportunities to get rich for hundreds of households here."