In fact, the chorus of “planting tight” has been taking place very clearly in areas specializing in the cultivation of some strong crops of Dak Lak such as coffee, pepper, avocado and, more recently, durian.
Most farmers share the same mentality that any crop with high economic efficiency should choose to produce, despite the planning and warnings of professional agencies as well as state management agencies.
In fact, that has been happening very clearly in areas specializing in some of Dak Lak’s strong crops such as coffee, pepper, avocado and, more recently, durian. Depending on the time and market prices, the producers here “deal” with these crops without paying attention to the consequences afterwards…
For example, in the “golden age” of coffee (1994 – 2002), most farmers in Dak Lak province competed to grow this specialty crop, regardless of the soil, climate and especially the water source there. guaranteed or not. As a result, the planning of the local agricultural industry was disrupted.
Instead of just stopping from 150,000 to 180,000 hectares (meeting all ecological factors as mentioned), the coffee area in Dak Lak at that time jumped to more than 280,000 hectares. The consequence was that the supply exceeded demand, plus many adverse effects of the world coffee market at that time, causing the price of coffee to drop dramatically, sometimes falling to the bottom of 4 million VND/ton in the past few years. year 2008-2013.
This situation makes the life of farmers more difficult than ever, especially the number of farmers who monoculture with coffee. Not to mention the unplanned coffee area of more than 100,000 hectares, which has contributed to squeezing out irrigation water (especially existing groundwater) leading to widespread drought, not only for coffee trees but also for coffee trees. Many other crops also suffered, causing instability for the agricultural sector in Dak Lak, including the strategic coffee industry.
Of course, once coffee is no longer attractive, people cut it down to plant other trees – and pepper in the years 2015-2018 is the most “attractive” crop, because the price sometimes reaches 200,000. VND/kg should be chosen by everyone and every household as “the number one priority” in the local agricultural production structure.
From an area of about 2,700 hectares of pepper, concentrated mainly in the districts of Ea H’leo, Krong Nang, Cu Kuin … has been pushed to tens of thousands of hectares and rapidly expanded in most districts in the region. Dak Lak table with a very reckless farming method, despite the risks (no need to choose varieties); Pillars of all kinds, from wood, bricks, cement piles, cotton trees and even bamboo are used.
In the end, this crop also went into “falling down” like coffee – falling in price, not having enough reinvestment costs and obviously growers are no longer interested in pepper trees.
Harvesting durian in Krong Pac district, Dak Lak province.
Currently, it is the turn of durian to “throne”, especially when this fruit is allowed to be exported to the Chinese market through official channels, which is more attractive to growers than ever.
Farmers in Dak Lak do not hesitate to invest in this crop – and in just over 5 years, the area and production of durian here has exceeded 15,000 hectares, reaching an output of approximately 300,000 tons. , ranked second in the country (only after Tien Giang). Up to now, durian is considered to have contributed to the enrichment of thousands of farmers in the province.
Therefore, in most of the 15 districts, towns and cities, durian cultivation has been flocked because the economic problem now has a clear solution and is too attractive for producers. It is known that with 1 hectare of coffee or pepper, every year after deducting costs, the farmer’s income is only over 100 million VND, but with that area, if durian is grown, he can earn 500 – 700 million VND/case.
Therefore, the situation of cutting down (or not investing more) coffee, pepper, avocado, jackfruit… to focus on “raising” durian is an unstoppable reality/trend in many localities in Dak Lak. in particular and the Central Highlands in general.
Dak Lak’s agriculture industry forecasts that in the next few years, the area and production of durian in the province will double – and accordingly, opportunities come with challenges such as planning, construction and issue the planting area code (at the request of the Chinese side); manage and supervise the implementation of integrated pests on crops; the risk of fraud in planting area codes, affecting the whole industry and ultimately the sense of creating and preserving the image of a transparent and responsible agriculture for consumers. this “hot” fruit.
Therefore, as Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan (on the occasion of attending and witnessing the ceremony to announce the export of the first shipment to China via official channels) – that durian or any other agricultural product If you want to go far and create a sustainable market, all individuals in the agricultural value chain need to work together and cooperate for mutual development. The State – enterprises – farmers, especially localities with growing areas, must “go together” in the overall space of linkage and development of the commodity industry, in each event of introduction, promotion, trade promotion and trade promotion. invest.
Since then, building the Vietnamese durian brand to become prominent in the international market. This is a mandatory direction that all three parties (the State – enterprises – farmers) must comply with – and on that route, opportunities open up along with challenges for each agricultural product industry in Dak Lak. in particular and the whole country in general, so that there is no longer a “planting – chopping chorus” as has happened during the past decades.
According to danviet.vn
