The sustainable pepper landscape program being implemented in the largest pepper “capital” in Dak Nong province is opening up new opportunities for farmers.
The Sustainable Trade Initiative (IDH) Vietnam, the Vietnam Pepper Association (VPA), the European Spices Association have collaborated with the People’s Committee of Dak Song district to implement the sustainable pepper landscape program.
Great potential, small value
Dak Song district can be said to be the pepper capital of Dak Nong province. Once upon a time, in Dak Song appeared a “billionaire commune” thanks to pepper. But that wealth is not sustainable.
Dak Song has great potential for pepper, but due to unsustainable production, people face difficulties. Image: Duy Hau.
In recent years, about the “billionaire commune” in Dak Song, the rich landscape is no longer there. The billions of pepper gardens are also gone. Many people who were once billionaires had to sell their houses and land to pay off bank loans.
According to experts, the reason why pepper growers in Dak Song have difficulty is due to unsustainable production.
The high price of pepper has caused the pepper growing area in this district to increase dramatically, despite the planning. Meanwhile, people have not taken measures to prevent diseases, especially the fast and slow death of pepper plants.
There are more than 13,600 hectares of pepper, but Dak Song district only has more than 2,300 hectares with certification. Image: Duy Hau
Before the huge profits of pepper once, people rushed to plant. Meanwhile, farming still follows the old way. Farmers do not have good, disease-free varieties. The process of production, care, and pest control is not comprehensive.
This greatly affects the yield, quality and longevity of the pepper garden. Since then, the pepper value in Dak Song is not high, not commensurate with the potential of the district.
According to district agriculture, Dak Song has more than 13,600 hectares of pepper, but only about 1/6 of the area has certification of all kinds and only 178 hectares meets VietGAP standards, 352 hectares of pepper meet international organic standards, 150 hectares of pepper meets Vietnamese organic standards…
Step by step improve the value of Dak Song pepper
To solve the “problems” of Dak Song pepper, the “Sustainable Pepper Landscape Program” will focus on activities to strengthen capacity and raise awareness of sustainable farming for farmers. pepper.
In addition, the Program also accompanies the project, businesses have the role of supporting training, monitoring sustainable farming practices and managing the use of agrochemicals. The goal is to gradually increase the output of pepper to meet the standards of the export market.
According to Ms. Mac Tuyet Nga, Director of IDH Vietnam Spices Program, Deputy Director of Dak Song Pepper Landscape Program – IDH will commit to accompany the locality to solve existing problems in pepper development. . In particular, IDH focuses on helping farmers access and understand the landscape in pepper production.
Mr. Le Viet Anh, Chief of Office of the Vietnam Pepper Association also committed: “Through the survey, the Association has grasped the whole district’s pepper industry. The association will have specific activities to contribute to the successful implementation of the project.”
According to Mr. Vo Quoc Tuan, Vice Chairman of Dak Song District People’s Committee, with the support of the project, the local government will also continue to attract the participation of individuals, units and businesses in the program.
Since then, gradually formed a sustainable, large-scale, high-quality pepper material area to meet the needs of domestic and international markets.
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