Son La province aims to plant approximately 5,000 hectares of macadamia trees by 2025 and attract investment for a large-scale macadamia processing plant to meet the province's processing needs. By 2030, the province aims to plant approximately 10,000 hectares of macadamia trees.

Son La province is focusing on developing macadamia nut cultivation.

Following the province's policy on macadamia tree development, since 2018, Quynh Nhai district has been selected as a pilot area for macadamia cultivation. To date, macadamia trees are being widely planted in many communes and villages, greening barren hills and creating livelihoods for ethnic minorities in the area, with a total area of ​​over 305 hectares. On average, one hectare yields 7.5-8 tons of fresh fruit; the selling price is 70,000 VND/kg for grade 1 fruit and 30,000 VND/kg for grade 2 fruit, bringing high income to macadamia growers.

Mai Son district currently has approximately 500 hectares of macadamia trees, mainly concentrated in the communes of Hat Lot, Chieng Dong, Chieng Ve, Na Ot, Phieng Cam, etc. In recent years, Mai Son district has focused on directing communes and towns to promote and encourage forest owners, households, and cooperatives to link with businesses in planting macadamia trees, both developing reforestation and creating livelihoods for farmers. At the same time, it has established macadamia planting cooperatives and groups; applied appropriate mechanisms and policies to attract businesses to link production with consumption and processing; and aimed to build a provincial-level OCOP product brand.

Sop Cop district has 81.5 hectares of macadamia trees, of which 60 hectares are bearing their first fruits. Macadamia nuts will be harvested from the end of August to the end of October every year. According to Mr. Vi Van Dinh, Head of the Agriculture and Rural Development Department of the district, macadamia is a perennial tree that produces nuts with high economic value. It can be developed into a forest tree and used as shade for some low-growing trees such as coffee, tea, and medicinal plants.

Mr. Dinh stated that, in implementing the macadamia tree development plan for the period 2021-2030 in the district, the Department has advised the District People's Committee to review the area of ​​agricultural land, forest land, and inefficiently cultivated land to promote and encourage people to convert to macadamia tree cultivation. They have also coordinated with businesses to invest in, support, and link with households to develop raw material areas with commitments to consume and process macadamia products.

In Thuan Chau district, the area planted with macadamia trees has reached nearly 300 hectares in the communes of Muong E, Phong Lai, Phong Lap, Pung Tra, Chieng La, Nam Lau, etc. According to Lo Van Thoa, Head of the Agriculture Department of Thuan Chau district, macadamia trees thrive on the hilly areas of Thuan Chau. To date, more than 100 hectares have begun to yield harvests, with an average yield of 5-7 tons/ha and a selling price of 35,000-40,000 VND/kg of fresh fruit. Initially, this brings in an income of 100-150 million VND/ha/year, promising to be a sustainable livelihood for farmers.

Currently, the departments and agencies of Son La province are continuing to implement Conclusion No. 253-KL/TU, developing macadamia cultivation cautiously, systematically, and with a roadmap. In addition, they are supporting and guiding businesses and investment cooperatives in macadamia development to complete land procedures; finalizing land allocation dossiers for businesses for areas outside the protected forest and production forest planning areas…

Hien Luong