Synchronous application of advanced farming solutions in export cashew production

Due to the synchronous application of advanced farming solutions, cashews grown in the project area in Binh Phuoc province have markedly improved in yield and quality.

Fumigation controls cashew nut mosquito bugs. Photo: Tran Trung.

Improving the quality of raw cashew materials for export

The project "Synchronous application of advanced farming solutions to build cashew material areas according to the value chain, ensuring export standards" has been evaluated by the Science and Technology Council of consulting and assessment Science and Technology tasks at the  National level.

The project belongs to the Science-Technology program in service of new rural construction in the 2016-2020 period, managed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. Cashew Research and Development Center (Southern Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology) is the implementing unit.

Accordingly, the Cashew Research and Development Center has coordinated with the Agricultural Service Center of Binh Phuoc Province to implement the project in Dak Nhau and Bom Bo communes (Bu Dang district, Binh Phuoc province) from 2019- 2021, with the participation of farmers, cooperatives, businesses purchasing and processing cashews. The cashew orchard used in the project is the PN1, AB 05-08 grafted cashew orchard and the real cashew orchard during the business period.

Dr. Tran Cong Khanh, Director of the Center for Cashew Research and Development, said that the goal of the project is to build Synchronous application of advanced farming solutions in intensive cashew production, linking along the value chain, creating products that meet export standards and contribute to raising incomes for households participating in the project.

The project focuses on building a model of synchronous application of advanced farming solutions in intensive cashew production, with a scale of 20ha in Binh Phuoc. Since then, production costs have been reduced by at least 15%, and cashew productivity has increased by at least 15%. In addition, cashew quality ensures export standards; the economic value increases at least 30% compared to traditional farming solutions.

In addition, the project has built a model of linking cashew production up to export standards, following the value chain with the participation of businesses and cashew growers; Completing advanced processes to develop sustainable production areas of raw cashew nuts according to the value chain, ensuring export standards, recognized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development or the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Binh Phuoc province; organize three training classes of 50 people per class.

Effective in many ways

After nearly three years of implementation, the Science and Technology Council has recently assessed the results, effectiveness, and impact of the project when implemented in practice.

Assoc.Prof.Dr. Nguyen Van Bo, Chairman of the Council, highly appreciated the project's activities, from investigation to building research model, perfecting the process, training, seminars. The project has been correctly and fully completed the approved content, volume, schedule, and budget.

The Council has assessed the overview of research and current status of cashew production in the project area. The advantages, disadvantages, and expectations of cashew growers and local authorities can be determined.

In terms of economic efficiency, the synchronous application model of advanced farming solutions in intensive cashew production helps reduce production costs by 15.4% compared to mass production, contributing to increased grain yield up 17.3%. The economic efficiency of the model is VND 31.9 million per hectare each year; income increased by VND 14.6 million per hectare (equivalent to 46.5%).

The advanced cashew farming process in developing sustainable cashew production areas according to the value chain, ensuring the export standards of the project has been received and put into application by the Department of Science and Technology of Binh Phuoc province.

The project has contributed to solving the problems of meeting export standards for raw cashew nuts, ensuring food hygiene and safety. When applying scientific and technical advances to production, people's products are well received by the market, with great market expansion potential.

Through training courses, cashew producers' capacity, knowledge, and skills have been enhanced, meeting their competitiveness in the current integration context. In addition, the linkage model has helped farmers gain more knowledge to connect with businesses in product consumption, stabilizing output.

In terms of environmental efficiency, the project helps people change their production methods in an environmentally friendly direction, reducing the use of pesticides, chemical fertilizers, and water pollution.

For new rural construction, the project has impacted production development, employment, income, people's life, increased awareness, and experience in safe organic cashew production.

Thereby, the product value, effectively managing input costs, and improving market linkages increase. Households implementing the project have the conditions to learn and approach new scientific and technical advances and apply them to actual production.

Businesses participating in the project can improve the quality of cashew products, contribute to increasing profits, and create long-term links with local farmers.

In addition, the project helps farmers in remote areas and ethnic minorities receive training and participate in implementation. It is an essential resource to promote production and development, contributing to new rural construction in the localities participating in the project implementation in particular and areas with similar conditions. The positive impacts will contribute to social stability, sustainable poverty alleviation in the locality.