Workshop on macadamia quality assessment in Son La province.

Macadamia trees were introduced to Son La in 2000, but it was not until 2010 that this crop really attracted the attention of producers and expanded its area. Being able to withstand frost, drought, and few pests, macadamia trees can also be grown as forest trees and shade trees for tea and coffee trees...

From a few experimental farmers, the macadamia area in the province has now increased to nearly 1,000 hectares; mainly concentrated in Mai Son, Thuan Chau, Quynh Nhai, Sop Cop, Song Ma districts; the average output is 8 tons of fruit/ha/year. The province's macadamia products are affirming their quality and reputation in the market. However, due to the lack of a certified brand, the consumption market has not been expanded.

In 2022, the People's Committee of Son La province approved the implementation of the Project to register for protection, build and deploy a management system for the "Son La Macadamia" certification trademark for the province's macadamia products, aiming to build and develop the value chain of macadamia products in the direction of linking farmers, cooperatives with enterprises purchasing, processing and consuming products; improving competitiveness in the market.

Delegates visit macadamia products recognized as OCOP products.

As the state management agency for the project and at the same time, the agency that owns the certification mark, the Department of Science and Technology regularly checks the progress and gives opinions on the contents of the project activities to build the certification mark "Macadamia Son La". At the same time, select samples, certification criteria, maps of product areas bearing the certification mark, regulations on management and use of the certification mark, and a system of regulations for controlling the quality of products bearing the certification mark to complete the application for protection of the certification mark "Macadamia Son La".

Mr. Phan Ngoc Bac, Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology, said: Building a macadamia product brand not only opens up business opportunities for enterprises and localities, but also establishes the necessary legal basis to protect the reputation of the product, preventing acts of infringement on the origin. In addition, gradually re-planning production, building a reasonable value chain for Son La macadamia; promoting and introducing macadamia products in the domestic market. The further goal is to register for protection of the product "Son La macadamia" abroad.

Mai Son has nearly 300 hectares, the district directs units to mobilize forest owners, households, cooperatives to cooperate with businesses to grow macadamia trees, both developing forests and creating livelihoods for farmers. At the same time, establish cooperatives and cooperative groups to grow macadamia; apply appropriate mechanisms and policies to attract businesses to link production with consumption and processing; towards building a provincial OCOP product brand for local macadamia products, associated with brand promotion, promoting consumption.

Actively cooperating with companies and businesses consuming macadamia products, Na Ban Macadamia Cooperative, Hat Lot Commune, Mai Son District has planted 42 hectares of macadamia, of which 8 hectares have been harvested. In 2022, the Cooperative harvested more than 10 tons of shelled macadamia, 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 consumption contract with Dat Thuy Company Limited, Co Noi Commune. With the company providing seeds, supporting planting techniques, care, and pruning, the macadamia trees have grown well and produced uniform fruit. The Cooperative's macadamia fruits are committed to be purchased by the Company at a price of 70,000 VND/kg of shelled fruit, making the Cooperative members very secure.

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

Macadamia products of Dat Thuy Company Limited, Mai Son district.

In Thuan Chau district, over 230 hectares of macadamia trees, mainly planted experimentally with other trees such as tea, coffee, and hawthorn in the communes of Muong E, Phong Lai, Muong Bam, and Nam Lau, grow and develop well, and are able to withstand frost and drought. Up to now, 1/3 of the area has borne fruit and been 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, Tien Hung village, was excited: Thanks to macadamia growing, his family now has an income of 120 million VND/year. Macadamia with a brand name will help farmers feel secure in production, proactively invest in improving productivity and product quality.

The goal of sustainable development of macadamia growing areas is to strive for the province's macadamia area to reach over 5,000 hectares by 2025; and about 10,000 hectares by 2030. The registration for protection, construction, and implementation of the "Son La Macadamia" certification trademark management system will contribute to expanding macadamia products and reaching large markets in the future. At the same time, it will promote production, attract investment, and build value chains that bring long-term economic benefits to people and businesses in the direction of sustainable development.

According to: Son La Newspaper