In the past 3 years, climate change, pests and diseases have made many cashew gardens in the capital of Binh Phuoc fall, and some gardens have gone blank. Thanks to the fierce agricultural sector, most of the cashew area in the province is recovering strongly.
.jpg) |
| Many cashew growing areas in Binh Phuoc are harvested but the price of raw cashew nuts is low. Photo: Nguyen Vy |
Cashew tree “revived”
Along with the efforts of early farmers to apply techniques and pest control measures, in all major cashew growing areas such as Bu Dang, Dong Phu, Bu Gia Map and Phu Rieng, this year, the bean was grown. fruits simultaneously, the rate of fruit set high.
Ms. Do Thi Thuy – Director of Agricultural Service Center Bu Gia Map District said, in recent years, many rains or unseasonal appear right at the moment when the cashew tree is pollinated. Along with pests and diseases, cashew trees are dry, burning leaves causing low yield, only about 1 ton / ha.
These are major challenges for the Binh Phuoc cashew industry. To overcome this problem, the Center always follows the objectives of propaganda, dissemination and guidance to farmers in cashew development knowledge and techniques.
Mr. Dang Ngoc Thuan (Bu Gia Map) said, the family has 3ha thing 17 years old. At the end of the cashew crop in 2019, thanks to actively clearing fields, pruning, fertilizing the cashew garden, it has grown back green. Thanks to the weather, the climate is relatively favorable this year, so it has a high rate of fruit set. In the early days of February, his family has gained 4 – 5 quintals, and is expected to harvest about 10 tons at the end of the crop, with an average yield of 3.5 tons / ha.
However, cashew prices are currently low, only 26,000 – 28,000 VND / kg. Like many other farmers, Mr. Thuan is worried about the end of the crop, the price of cashew is falling. “This year, things are good, but the price is not high so farmers are less happy,” – Mr. Thuan said.
In the same mood, Mr. Tran Van Mai of Thong Nhat district (Dong Nai) said that at the beginning of the 2019 crop, he sold for a price of 35,000 – 36,000 VND / kg, currently only traders buy it for 27,000 VND / kg. .
| Although the price is low, Mr. Tran Van Mai still wants to keep cashew trees to cultivate because he believes that Dong Nai still has many businesses buying and processing. “Hope through the holiday and Tet holidays; purchasing prices will prosper, ”- Mr. Mai shared. |
Less happy farmers
Not only cashew, but other crops such as pepper are also being harvested, making it difficult to find work. The rent for the cashew picking workers last year was only 200,000 – 210,000 VND / day, this year the garden owners have to pay from 250,000 to 260,000 VND.
“Hiring workers with high prices while cashew prices plummeted, making incomes lower than some other crops,” – Mai said.
According to cashew-buying agents in the province, cashew prices range from 30,000 to 31,000 VND / kg before Tet. This time things are not much ripe. Until now, the price of raw cashew is only VND 26,000 – VND 28,000 / kg; reduce from 3,000 to 5,000 VND / kg.
According to Mai, the price of cashew depends on many factors. If it rains, cashews soak up water, high germination rate, quality decreases, the price of cashew will simultaneously decrease. The harvest that few that many companies buy, produce, processing, the price increases due to competition. Cashew prices also depend on cashew nut export and import activities in the international market.
According to the Import-Export Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade), since January, cashew prices have been falling due to abundant supplies as many growing countries have come into the harvest, while demand has slowed down due to major festivals. passed. Estimated, cashew exports in January only reached 31,000 tons, worth 215 million, down 27.1% in volume and 28% in value compared to December 2019.
Vietnam Cashew Association (Vinacas) also noted, because this year's weather is favorable for the flowering and fruit production of cashew, world cashew production is expected to increase much compared to last year. Currently there are some prices offered for the new crop but the price is for exploration only, there is no official price. Moreover, the current asking price is not consistent with the price of cashew so most processors are turning away.
According to Dân Việt
