Farmers boldly convert crops
In recent years, Dak Nong province has often faced prolonged heat.
Faced with increasingly harsh weather, many farmers have proactively changed crop structures, prioritizing crops that can better adapt to dry climates.
In Quang Truc commune (Tuy Duc district), people have intercropped macadamia trees in coffee and pepper gardens. This type of tree not only withstands drought well, creating shade for other crops but also brings high economic value.
Mr. Dieu Pem, a farmer in Bu Trang 1 Hamlet (Quang Truc Commune) said that his family has planted 700 macadamia trees in 3 hectares of coffee. Thanks to the low demand for irrigation water, in the dry season, he only needs to water a little more for macadamia while watering coffee.
Each year, his family harvests about 4 tons of fresh fruit. In 2024, he sold mac ca for 80,000 VND/kg, bringing in an income of more than 300 million VND.
Not only Mr. Dieu Pem, currently, the entire Quang Truc commune has developed about 1,470 hectares of macadamia trees.
According to Mr. Doan Le Anh, Secretary of the Party Committee of Quang Truc commune, macadamia trees are affirming that they are a suitable crop in the context of increasingly severe drought.
Macadamia not only requires less water but can also be intercropped with many other plants such as coffee, pepper, cashew, bringing high economic efficiency.
Adapting to climate change
To adapt to climate change, Dak Nong province has implemented many solutions. In particular, crop restructuring is identified as an important direction.
The Dak Nong Provincial People's Committee has issued a plan to implement the crop structure conversion plan for the period 2022-2025, with a vision to 2030.
Accordingly, more than 8,557 hectares of key crops such as coffee, pepper, rubber and cashew will be converted to crops with potential, more suitable to actual conditions.
From 2022 to present, Dak Nong has strongly implemented this plan. By 2024, the province has converted over 1,615 hectares of crops, exceeding the set plan by 65%.
In particular, non-adjusting plants have been replaced with macadamia, pepper and many valuable fruit trees.
In addition, more than 440 hectares of ineffective rubber have also been converted to macadamia, coffee, pepper and fruit trees, mainly in Tuy Duc, Dak R'lap, Dak Mil and Krong No districts.
According to Mr. Ngo Xuan Dong, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Dak Nong province, the work of training, coaching and transferring science and technology has helped farmers boldly change production thinking and proactively convert crops appropriately.
Faced with increasingly severe drought, many farmers have seen clear efficiency from crop conversion, both in terms of adaptability and economic value.
In the coming time, the provincial agricultural sector will continue to coordinate with localities to promote training, technical transfer and application of advanced production processes, in order to replicate sustainable and environmentally friendly agricultural models.
Permanent Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Le Trong Yen said that every year, the province has a specific plan to convert crop structure to respond to climate change, especially drought. Conversion orientations are implemented based on agricultural planning and each region's conditions.
The province prioritizes research and selection of plant varieties that are productive, high-quality, and can adapt well to the climate. The province focuses on building concentrated raw material areas, developing production - consumption chains, promoting brands, expanding markets, and aiming for export.
In particular, the province is also studying additional policies to support people in the transformation process, associated with the development of concentrated production areas, applying high technology to agriculture.
