Workshop to assess the quality of macadamia nuts in Son La province.

Macadamia trees were introduced to Son La in 2000, but it wasn't until 2010 that this crop truly gained attention from producers, leading to an expansion of planted areas. Being resistant to frost, drought, and pests, macadamia trees can also be developed into forest trees and used as shade trees for tea and coffee plants.

From a few experimental farms, the total area of ​​macadamia cultivation in the province has now increased to nearly 1,000 hectares, mainly concentrated in the districts of Mai Son, Thuan Chau, Quynh Nhai, Sop Cop, and Song Ma; with an average yield of 8 tons of fruit per hectare per year. The province's macadamia products are establishing their quality and reputation in the market. However, due to the lack of a certified brand, the market for macadamia nuts has not been expanded.

In 2022, the People's Committee of Son La province approved the implementation of the project to register, protect, build, and implement a certification trademark management system for the "Son La Macadamia" product of the province. The aim is to build and develop the macadamia nut value chain by linking farmers, cooperatives, and businesses involved in purchasing, processing, and selling the product; and to enhance competitiveness in the market.

Delegates visit macadamia products that have been recognized as OCOP products.

As the state management agency for the project and the owner of the certification mark, the Department of Science and Technology regularly monitors the progress and provides feedback on the activities of the project to build the "Son La Macadamia" certification mark. Simultaneously, it selects samples, certification criteria, product area maps bearing the certification mark, regulations for managing and using the certification mark, and a system of regulations for controlling the quality of products bearing the certification mark to complete the application dossier for the protection of the "Son La Macadamia" certification mark.

Mr. Phan Ngoc Bac, Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology, said: Building a brand for macadamia nuts not only opens business opportunities for enterprises and localities, but also establishes the necessary legal basis to protect the product's reputation and prevent infringements on its origin. In addition, it will gradually re-plan production, build a rational value chain for Son La macadamia nuts, and promote and introduce macadamia products in the domestic market. The long-term goal is to register for trademark protection for "Son La Macadamia" abroad.

Mai Son district has nearly 300 hectares of macadamia plantations. The district authorities have directed relevant units to encourage forest owners, households, and cooperatives to link with businesses in planting macadamia trees, thereby developing reforestation and creating livelihoods for farmers. Simultaneously, they are establishing macadamia planting cooperatives and groups; applying appropriate mechanisms and policies to attract businesses to link production with consumption and processing; and aiming to build a provincial-level OCOP (One Commune One Product) brand for local macadamia products, linked with brand promotion and sales boosting.

Actively collaborating with companies and businesses that consume macadamia products, the Na Ban Macadamia Cooperative in Hat Lot commune, Mai Son district, has planted 42 hectares of macadamia trees, of which 8 hectares are already yielding harvests. In 2022, the cooperative harvested over 10 tons of shelled macadamia nuts, earning nearly 800 million VND.

Mr. Ta Tien Thuong, Director of Na Ban Macadamia Cooperative, shared: "Since 2021, the cooperative has signed a production and product purchase contract with Dat Thuy Co., Ltd. in Co Noi commune. With the company providing seedlings and technical support for planting, caring for, and pruning the trees, the macadamia trees have developed well and produced uniform fruit. The company has committed to purchasing the cooperative's macadamia nuts at 70,000 VND/kg for shelled nuts, giving the cooperative members great peace of mind."

According to Mr. Thuong, macadamia nuts are processed into many products such as cracked whole macadamia nuts, macadamia kernels, macadamia wine, and macadamia cooking oil. Some products have been certified as OCOP products of the province. In the near future, the "Son La Macadamia" certification mark will be granted, creating favorable conditions for the cooperative to further boost production and supply products to companies and businesses for deep processing, bringing high-quality products to the market.

Macadamia nut products from Dat Thuy Co., Ltd., Mai Son district.

In Thuan Chau district, over 230 hectares of macadamia trees, mainly planted experimentally intercropped with tea, coffee, and hawthorn in the communes of Muong E, Phong Lai, Muong Bam, and Nam Lau, are growing and developing well, with resistance to frost and drought. To date, one-third of the area has borne fruit and is being harvested, with an average yield of 5-7 tons/ha and a selling price of 35,000-40,000 VND/kg of fresh fruit, initially providing farmers with a stable income of 100-150 million VND/ha/year.

As one of the first macadamia growers in Phong Lai commune, Thuan Chau district, with 1.5 hectares, Mr. Tran Van Dong from Tien Hung village happily shared: "Thanks to macadamia cultivation, my family now earns 120 million VND per year. The establishment of a macadamia brand will help farmers feel secure in their production and proactively invest in improving productivity and product quality."

The goal for sustainable development of macadamia growing areas is to strive for a macadamia cultivation area of ​​over 5,000 hectares in the province by 2025 and approximately 10,000 hectares by 2030. Registering for protection, building, and implementing a management system for the "Son La Macadamia" certification mark will contribute to expanding macadamia products and accessing larger markets in the future. Simultaneously, it will promote production, attract investment, and build a value chain that brings long-term economic benefits to people and businesses in a sustainable manner.

Source: Son La Newspaper