Ben Tre farmers struggle because black-headed caterpillars destroy coconut gardens

Lao Dong with black-headed cat

At noon on February 23, we went along National Highway 57B from Chau Thanh District to Binh Dai District (Ben Tre Province), then to Tan Xuan Commune (Ba Tri District, Ben Tre Province), then along Provincial Road 885 back to Ben Tre City (Ben Tre Province). Farmers with coconut land here are having a headache because black-headed caterpillars attack their coconut gardens.

According to coconut growers in Ben Tre, black-headed caterpillars make shelter under the coconut leaves, making it difficult to spray. They eat the leaf's green carrier, making the leaves thin and dry. The worms are destroying from old leaves to young leaves, even attacking the coconut and the young coconut trees that have just sprung out of the ground for a few strokes and are eaten. Although farmers have applied many preventive measures, they have not been able to completely control this type of pests.

Mr. Hung Anh (Giong Trom district, Ben Tre province) said that although coconut prices have increased, the harvest has decreased due to the rampant black-headed caterpillars. This is a dangerous pests, causing coconut trees to weaken, reduce photosynthesis, and even die if not treated promptly.

"At first, I discovered that coconut trees had unusual phenomena of conifers. When I pulled down the coconut leaf boats to check, I saw dozens of black-headed caterpillars hiding in the leaf belly and eating the leaves. I have to spend a lot of money to save the coconut garden, but when the harvest is at, the coconut fruits are still small, Mr. Anh shared.

According to Mr. Anh, his family's coconut productivity this year has decreased by 20 - 50% compared to previous years, directly affecting his income from growing coconuts.

High coconut prices but low productivity

Ms. Chau Thi Kim Dien (residing in Giong Trom district, Ben Tre province) said that her family grows nearly 1 hectare of coconut. In addition to growing coconuts, she also works as a coconut trader in the area.

"Currently, dried coconuts purchased in the garden have a price ranging from about 140,000 VND/dozen. For water-based soursop, the price also fluctuates around 120,000 VND/dozen, said Ms. Dien.

According to Ms. Dien, due to the impact of black-headed caterpillars and drought and salinity, coconut productivity has decreased sharply by 20 - 50% compared to previous years. The supply is scarce, so recently, traders have been purchasing coconuts at high prices to ensure a source of supply for partners.

Mr. Phan Van Men - representative of Tan Hoi Mo Cay Investment and Trading Company Limited, specializing in purchasing and processing coconuts - said that coconut prices on the market are showing a strong upward trend, bringing good income opportunities to farmers. However, the outbreak of black-headed caterpillars has caused declining coconut productivity, and the quality of the beans is small, mainly used for drinking water.