Đề tài Macadamia – a promising start to a newhigh value agricultural industry For Vietnam

Collaboration for Agriculture and Rural Development (CARD) Program 196 MACADAMIA – A PROMISING START TO A NEW HIGH VALUE AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY FOR VIETNAM Project title: CARD 037/05VIE - Establish nurseries and training to effectively propagate high quality trees and trial plantation models of Macadamia in 3 provinces of North Vietnam Code of the project: CARD 037/05 VIE Authors: Prof. Hoang Hoe1, Martin Novak2 and Kim Wilson2 Project Implementing organisations: 1 Center for Environment, Tourism and Development, Vietnam 2 Subtropical Farm Forestry Association, Australia 1. Introduction The enthusiastic and far sighted support from key members of the Vietnamese government particularly that of Vice Prime minister of the time Mr Cong Tan who introduced macadamia to Vietnam and Minister Bong, contributed greatly to the overall success of the project and the developments in the industry to date. The Vietnamese project director, Prof. Hoang Hoe, through his vision and dedication, has brought the project to a successful conclusion. Several years of careful planning and preparation and 5 years of project implementation by the professor, with assistance from the Australian project director Martin Novak and by Australian Macadamia Society (AMS) Chair Kim Wilson, have culminated in outcomes that significantly enhance the development of a macadamia industry in Vietnam. The project has been made possible through the support of the Australian and Vietnamese government under framework of the AusAID- funded CARD program ( and by the hard work and collaboration of all of those involved, including the enthusiastic farmers, the agency partners, the CARD program team, and also the private enterprises. The project, spanning 5 years has helped to bring all the stakeholders together to work toward a sustainable high value macadamia industry for Vietnam. Beneficiaries have included farmers, nursery and farm staff and workers, technicians, extension staff, state and private companies, government agencies, other businesses and households. The activities of the project have gained support from the Provincial governments and People’s Committees of 5 provinces of Vietnam including Hanoi, Hoa Binh, Lang Son, Ba Vi, and Dak Lak. 5 Macadamia training workshops have been held in these 5 provinces. There has also been training and new technology presented to field staff in all of the relevant agencies in these provinces. The workshops involved presenters from Australia, China, Thailand and Vietnam, who have contributed significantly to this training and technology transfer stemming from researchers recommendations. CARD 037/05 VIE – Development of Macadamia 197 A focus to strengthen the capacity of a new demonstration nursery and 3 existing nurseries involved in growing macadamia by way of participatory workshops and infield training, has been maintained throughout the duration of the project. In addition to this technical assistance select varieties and equipment, has been provided to FSI and WASI also. This capacity building has been achieved by way of:  Collaborative preparation of technical information and training material.  Delivery of information, and training at workshops and in the field.  Delivery of seed and graft stock of at least 17 best bet Varieties.  Delivery samples of nursery equipment, including grafting planes, tape, wounds dressing, propagation and potting mix, and potting bags.  Establishment of 2 new demonstration nursery based on Australian nursery practice. Encouraging investment from the private sector and by ensure adequate supply of quality grafting stock of suitable varieties.  Preparation and delivery of nursery business plans, records and monitoring systems. The project has facilitated the trial of 14 varieties of macadamia in 4 different provinces including Ba Vi, Hoa Binh, Dak Lak and Lang Son. This has involved the design and planting of 4 trial plots in these provinces. The project has provided seed and graft wood of 17 varieties, to the demonstration nursery, the 4 project partnered research nurseries, as well to FSI and WASI. In addition to this the project has provided nursery equipment including grafting planes, graft wounds dressing, samples of potting bags and information via DVD video, CD and hardcopy. Craig Hardener (CSIRO) and Kim Wilson (AMS) principally undertook the design of the trials. Both have extensive experience with variety trials in Australia. Dr Kha FSI and Prof Hoang Hoe provided review of the design. The project team has also facilitated the development of a Macadamia Association of Vietnam, which will help coordinate the sustainable long term development of the industry, including the planning of research priorities and an industry development strategy. The project has been promoted via the public media, including national and regional TV, magazines, newspapers and a media seminar. This has helped to promote the objectives of the project specifically and the benefits of a macadamia industry for Vietnam in general. 2. Research contents and methods The project focused on 3 aspects of research; firstly macadamia variety selection trials, secondly nursery production options of quality macadamia trees and thirdly a developmental strategy for a new macadamia industry for Vietnam. 2.1 Established 3 variety trials and reviewed existing trials of Forest Science Institute (FSI) and Central Highland Agriculture Forestry Science & Technology Institute (WASI) 14 macadamia varieties have been selected for the projects 3 variety trials. These include 10 best bet varieties from Australia and 4 from China. They include 264, 344, 741, 849, 816, 842, 814, A4, A38, A16, based on variety trials from Australia. Guy Yan1, 695, 788, OC were selected from China. The trials sites were initially established in 3 provinces including Ba Vi, Hoa Binh and Lang Son in the subtropical northern parts of Vietnam in 2007 and 2008. In 2009 an additional 2 have been established in Dak Lak, as it became evident due to the trials of FSI and WASI that the central tablelands was the most promising region to grow macadamia in Vietnam. FSI planted the first macadamia seedlings at Ba vi in 1993-4. Over the past 7 years they have established trials to test varieties, 900, 856, 842, 246, 344, 800, 788, 816, H2, NG8, OC, Daddow, 741 and 849 in 16 trials in 6 provinces. These trials range in age from 4-7 years just old enough for early analysis in Hoang Hoe, Martin Novak & Kim Wilson 198 relation to kernel. They have been collecting a range of data of survival, growth, flowering and fruit production. From 2002-2009, WASI has imported five varieties originating from China (H2, 508, OC, 814, 344), 6 varieties originating from Thailand (H2, 508, 246, 344, 741, 660), 8 varieties derived from Australian and has grown at the Institute on an area of 1.5 ha, the density is 400 trees/ha to conduct research. The selection criteria include; the yield, nut quality and the ability to grow. 2.2 Nursery options for quantity and quality production of macadamia trees The capacity of existing nurseries in terms of quantity and quality has increased, over the 5 years of the project, producing over 330,000 seedlings (2008-30,000 trees) and 10,000 grafted trees of 10–17 varieties. Nursery production data has been progressively collected and a spreadsheet analysis model has been prepared and updated for nursery data and financial returns. The principal 3 commercial nurseries have produced and sold some grafted trees at prices ranging from 30–55,00 VND per tree (2008- 30-40,00 VND) and a small quantity have been utilised in trials and pilot plantings. Data on volume is far more readily available than data on quality, which continues to be mostly determined by survival at this point in time. The new private sector nurseries run by Vinamaca Co have raised the standards both in quality and quantity setting a benchmark for the rest of the industry. The demonstration nursery at Yen Thuy, supported by this project, continues to grow quality seedlings and grafted trees. However, the focus of potential sustainable development has turned towards the central highlands so it was decided to send grafted trees to Dak Lak and establish demonstration nurseries there. 2.3 A developmental strategy for a new macadamia industry for Vietnam This project has worked towards the formation of a Macadamia Association of Vietnam, which will play a key role in managing developmental issues particularly in helping to balance the interests of the industry and all its stakeholders. An interim committee involving government and private sector stake holders, has been formed in Dak Lak and a Constitution is being drafted based on the AMS. 3. Research results and discussions 3.1 Established 3 variety trials and reviewed existing trials of Forest Science Institute FSI and WASI Trials will need to be 6-7 years old before data can be analysis to provide early indication of the performance of varieties based on kernel, the key criteria.  Van Linh Station – variety trial Density – 7m x 4m, 14 varieties, 5 trees / variety (3 monitored), Replicated 4 times Trees required: 14 varieties x 5 x 4 = 280, Buffer trees = 108, Total 388 trees Total area = 1.1 ha.  Progress as at October 2008: 0.62 Ha Planted March 2007, 5m x 4m = 500 trees / Ha. 312 trees fully planted. Recording growth every 3 months, Recorded trial layout & varieties. Trees require more fertiliser.  Progress August 02,2010: Trial plot 1: 47 trees of H2 + 741(planted in 2003) 7 years old: growing well, spacing 3mx3m too dense ( H=5m, ) harvest 120kg NIS (2009) estimate 150 kg NIS ( 2010) Trial plot 2: planted in Nov.2007 trees growing well ( 60%) H2, 5M-3,0M, 40% trees look not so good, there are some trees have a few early fruit (3 years-old) fruit mostly size big.  Ba vi Station –variety trial Density – 7m x 4m, 14 varieties, 10 trees / variety (8 monitored), Replicated 4 times. Trees required, 14 varieties x 10 x 4 = 560, Buffer trees = 102, Total 662 trees. Total area = 1.85 ha. CARD 037/05 VIE – Development of Macadamia 199  Progress as at October 2008: . 85 Ha. Planted January 2007, 4m x 2.5m = 1000 trees / Ha, 825 trees fully planted. Recorded trial layout & varieties, Recording costs.  Progress at January 14,2010 Trials plot 1: 240 trees of 19 varieties( from Australia & China), 5-6 years-old, look good. H= 6-7 M. All varieties show Green leaves. Harvested in October 2009, total fruit 250 Kg, 119 Kg NIS. [Compare with the trial plot of farm of Mr. Thu in Krong nang Dak Lak, 6 years old trees, total harvested 600 Kg of NIS. Indicates that difference in the climate, has significant influence. Trial plot 2: 2007 planted 1000 trees, now H=2-3m, 50% of trees good, the rest not so good smaller and poorer color for all varieties. Trial plot 3: Jan 2008 they planted 2 Ha ( 660 trees) in Bavi, look about 50% trees good H=2-2,5 M, green leaves.  Progress at March 2010: Plot 2: 1 ha planted 2007 & flowering. Plot 3: 600 trees planted 2008 half do not look healthy at this time. 2009 crop 400 trees produced 250 kg NIH 119 NIS used for seed nut. Flowering time was in April. 695 had lots flowers. Overall not much nut set due to lacked of water & nutrition. Collecting data on nut yield, measure flowering and fruit. 7 trees died in trial plot 3. Fertiliser 1kg NPK x 2 pa will do not yet done Plus 5 -10 kg organic manure.  Progress at July 2010: There are some early fruit on the trees of trial plot 3 after a good flowering in March –April (2008 planting)  Yen thuy –variety trial. Density – 7m x 4m, 14 varieties, 10 trees / variety (8 monitored), Replicated 4 times Trees required, 14 varieties x 10 x 4 = 560, Buffer trees = 128, Total 688 trees Total area = 1.9 ha.  Progress as at October 2008: Yen thuy trial plot, planted Spring 2008. Trees look good new flush.  Progress as at July 2010: Newly planted 02 ha of trial plot (Yen 1 ha, Duc 1 ha) (600 trees)  Vinamaca Co – Additional New 2009 Macadamia variety trial. Village: Ka Mang, Commune: Deliza District: Krongnoang Province: Dak Lak. Total area 1.3ha including trial plot buffer trees fully fenced. Transplanted from Yen Thuy Nov 2009 360 grafted trees most tagged.  FSI- variety trials Research indicates that a number of varieties are performing well in Vietnam. The key findings are included in the full report as follows: - In Dong Hoi (Quang Binh) varieties, OC, 741, 816 246 grow well and the bearing fruit rate is high. - In Krong Nang, Dak Lak, varieties 842, 800, 849,246, 741 and OC grow well and the bearing fruit rate is high - In Mai Son, Son La, varieties OC and 246 grow well and are capable of bearing fruit. - In Drakpao, Dak Nong, varieties 816, OC, NG8, MC2 and A800 grow well. - In Dai Lai, Vinh Phuc, varieties 816, 246, OC, A800 and Daddow grow well. - In Ba Vi bear buds from December to the following February. Flowers bloom from March to April, bearing fruits from the end of April to June, fruits ripe and fall from December to November. The length of flowers is from 11.1 to 21.6. Number of flowers is 226 to 453, bearing fruits rate is 0.02 to 1.6 %. Radiance of fruits is from 2.8 to 3.2 cm. - There are differences in the blooming time, so it is necessary to grow the varieties with same blooming time together. This makes it easier for trees of different varieties to inter-pollinate Hoang Hoe, Martin Novak & Kim Wilson 200 and increase bearing fruits rate. For a high-productive garden we should grow trees of different varieties together: (900, 856, 842, 246, 344); (800, 788, 816, H2); (NG8, 800, 856, OC, Daddow, 816); (741, OC, Daddow, 816, 849).  WASI – variety trials Findings include the following: - Macadamia imported from China after 6 years have been growing well. All the varieties can produce flowers and fruits. Percentage of flowering plant of all the varieties is 100%; currently three varieties have high rate of flowering and producing fruit are H2, 508 and OC. - Initially OC is seen as a quite suitable variety with the ecological conditions in Dak Lak. It has high potential yield, large seed size, less pest and in particular, the balanced canopy; it is also solid, drought-resistant and well adapted to the weather conditions in the Central Highlands. - The macadamia from Thailand after more than 3 years of planting have been growing well. There is currently no pest risk. 3.2 Nursery production options for quality macadamia trees Macadamia nurseries technical data 30 April 2010 Organization Technical data FSI WASI NERFSE Lang son (March 2008)* Long Phuong (Yen Thuy) Khan Khina (Ba vi) Vina- maca (Dak lak) Area (Sqm) 500 250 2500 1000 2000 15000 No of Seedlings 2000 300 3700 5000 80,000 220,000 No of Grafted trees 1500 300 2000 400 15,000 3000 Graft success rate. 75% 70% 60% 60% 75% 80% No of Varieties AU 7 5 3 11 6 4 No of Varieties CN 3 3 5 4 4 No of Varieties VN 3 No Varieties Thai 4 Cost of tree 20,000 30,000 25,000 Price of tree 40,000 42,000 35,000 50,000 35-40,000 *Note: NERFSE has stopped nursery production and purchases seed and trees from China most of which are sold to farmers in central highlands. Long Phuong Company is responsible for the establishment of the new demonstration nursery at Yen Thuy. It now found joint venture partners and established Vinamaca Co., which has set up much larger nurseries in Daklak totalling approximately 250,000 seedlings, and 3000 grafted trees this year to date. Ba vi nursery has also expanded production significantly from 7000 seedlings and 1000 grafted trees in 2008 with a success rate of 65% to 80,000 seedlings and 15,000 grafted trees and success rate of 75% in 2010. Lang son has scaled back on nursery production because of nut set problems in the region due to high humidity and moist conditions during flowering. However the center is using its knowledge with macadamia propagation and its strong relationship with Chinese researchers to obtain quality seed and scion wood for plantation requirements in Vietnam particularly for the central highlands. 3.3 A developmental strategy for a new macadamia industry for Vietnam. The interim committee of the Macadamia Association and the project team are developing an industry strategy, guidelines and priorities. Recommendations include:  Form a Macadamia Association of Vietnam to help implement the following recommendations.  Form a research and development committee to facilitate and prioritise CARD 037/05 VIE – Development of Macadamia 201 research and help coordinate research bodies and activities.  Develop strategies to overcome cash flow issues for farmers.  Develop a macadamia tree database.  Membership fee structure needs to be set and other financial support needs to be identified to assist the industry.  The association needs to represent all stakeholders of the industry, government and private and both will need to support this development. It is envisaged that MARD will be the key supporting government agency.  The association needs to develop guidelines for nursery accreditation such as that of the South African model rather than the long-term accreditation of varieties.  Collaboration should be maintained with Australia, China and Thailand. An industry promotions strategy developed by a committee needs to be designed. 4. Conclusions and recommendations 4.1 Conclusions This projects principal aim was to assist the start of a commercial macadamia industry in Vietnam in order to improve the income flow of the farmer and the rural sector. The general feeling is that it has been successful in achieving this aim. Vietnam now has a macadamia industry in its early phase of development. There are over 350,000 macadamia trees of suitable quality and varieties, in the nurseries. Most of these nurseries now have the capacity to expand their production of quality trees. There are a range of macadamia trials in 12 provinces and several hundred hectares of commercial plantations being established by smaller farmers and large commercial enterprises, with preparations under way for hundreds more to be established. Financial modelling undertaken by the project indicates good returns for both nurseries and plantations. In addition to all this the country now has a large commercial processing plant near Ho Chi Minh city and another planned for Thai Binh in the north of the country. It is too early to provide recommendations with regard to suitable macadamia varieties for Vietnam. It takes 6 to 7 years before meaningful data is available and 15 to 20 years before varieties can be fully assessed as to sustainable production of good quality kernel. Certification of varieties cannot be made until the research has run its course. It needs to be noted that varieties are not certified anywhere else in the world. Certification of nurseries is underway in South Africa and under consideration in Australia. This is something that MARD and the Macadamia Association need to consider very carefully. However, the varieties chosen for the 3 project trials are considered by the project team to have shown promise at this stage. They include 842, 741, 246, 814, 816, 849, 344, A4, A16 and A38 from Australian and QN 1, 695, 788 and O.C from China. After 5 years of project implementation and research activities of FSI and WASI, it has become evident that there is high potential for macadamia plantings in some regions, especially central highland areas and to some extent in the north west of t