The man who owns 420 ha of organic cashew plantations meeting European and US standards

Mr. Dong, who owns 420 ha of cashew trees, is the proprietor of the biggest cashew plantation in Binh Phuoc. Almost half of this is certified organic by European and American standards.

Mr. Dong has a beautiful ancient cashew garden with some tree roots able to be braced by both arms. This ancient cashew garden is cared for according to VietGAP standards. Photo: Hong Thuy.

Mr. Dung Quy Dong lives in Binh Phuoc province's Suoi Nhung village (Tan Hung commune, Dong Phu district). Whilst referred to as a "scientist", he is also a genuine farmer and the author of a guidebook on crop care methods for farmers, which provides his own practical experiences collected over more than 30 years in agriculture.

He now has 420 ha of cashew plants in Binh Phuoc and Binh Duong provinces, and is widely regarded as the owner of the biggest cashew acreage in said provinces. Nearly half of the land is grown using sustainable organic methods.

Mr. Dong began improving the soil environment in 2017 after researching papers, visiting and learning from other organic farms. He began with no fertilizers or chemicals. Instead he utilized micro-fertilizers, as suggested in the papers and based on previous farm experiences.

Dong confirmed that the cashew plants are healthier as a result of the organic method, and their development and disease resistance are mostly natural, with few pests and illnesses. Additionally, they are more drought-tolerant than those grown conventionally.

Mr. Dong achieved this outcome by investing billions in the irrigation system, which includes three lakes with a combined reserve of more than 10,000 m3.

Organic fertilizers are imported from other countries and mixed with green manure made from grass and green leaves, with significant investment in packaging technologies, post-harvest storage, and shipping.

After three years of monitoring and evaluating Mr. Dong's organic cashew orchard, the European Union (EU) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) have granted organic certification to his cashew cultivation process in three model areas in the districts of Bu Dop, Dong Phu in Binh Phuoc province, and Phu Giao in Binh Duong province.

"As of September, the farm was certified organic for cashew production and complied with the worldwide farmer code," Mr. Dong said.

Mr. Dong now has 420 hectares of cashew planting land, 200 of which are certified organic according to European and American standards. Mr. Dong's 20 hectares of organic cashews in Tan Hung commune (Dong Phu district) are very stunning: the trees are growing uniformly, are healthy, and are in blossom. According to Mr. Dong, the PN1 cashew variety's benefits include a high yield, a firm yet thin shell, a kernel recovery rate of between 29 and 33%, and fragrant, crunchy seeds.

Mr. Dong's cashew plantation contains many helpful insects for plants, such as ants and bees, because he does not use pesticides to eliminate insects and harmful fungus.

Mr. Dong's farm also produces a variety of other high-value fruits, including durian, avocado, mangosteen, green-skinned pomelo, mango, and tangerine. All are grown in accordance with VietGAP guidelines.

"For a flourishing cashew industry and agriculture to expand in value and establish a presence in key markets such as Europe and America, a strategy to develop a concentrated raw material region is required.

"It is essential to establish a connection between farmers, the state, scientists, and companies throughout the whole process, from planting through harvesting, processing, and consumption. Most essential, in order for a product to be sold in big European and American stores, it must be grown, nurtured, and certified organic," Mr. Dung Quy Dong said.