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Rewards reaped from cacao crop
Cacao growing farmers in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta province of Tien Giang are reaping high incomes from this year’s crop with prices of the bean soaring in the international market.
The price of fresh cacao beans in the domestic market is now VND4,200-5,000 (US$23-27 cent) a kg and those that have undergone initial processing (fermented and dried) reaches VND52,400 ($2.9) a kg, nearly double that of the same period last year.
Farmers can earn an average income of VND52 million ($3,000) from a hectare of cacao, which is planted along with other crops.
Nguyen Hoang Hanh, deputy director of the provincial Department of Science and Technology, said the province now had more than 1,400ha of cacao planted in coconut gardens and fruit orchards.
Half of the cacao area now yielded 600-1,000 kg per hectare, Hanh said.
He added the province now had 60 purchasing points and initial processing facilities, helping farmers move their produce from the field to the market.
Cacao trees have been planted in Tien Giang Province since 2005 under the provincial administration’s plan to have 1,000ha of cacao in coconut gardens in Cho Gao and Go Cong Tay districts.
Cacao trees are now planted in other districts as well, including Go Cong Dong, Tan Phu Dong, Cai Lay and Cai Be.
Tien Giang is one of the country’s leading cacao producers, along with Ben Tre, Dak Lak and Binh Phuoc.
VIETNAMNEWS
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