Dak Nong’s Climate-Smart Crop Shift: 8,557 Hectares
- DAK NONG, Vietnam – Farmers in Dak Nong province are increasingly diversifying thier crops to adapt to the challenges posed by climate change, shifting away from traditional staples...
- Nguyen Van Khanh,a farmer in Tan Loi village of Dak Mil district,has successfully transitioned his land to mango cultivation.
- Khanh explained that the area was previously used for coffee farming, but frequent droughts led to low productivity."The mango tree also requires water, but the amount is smaller,...
Dak Nong Farmers Adapt to Climate Change with Crop Diversification
Table of Contents
- Dak Nong Farmers Adapt to Climate Change with Crop Diversification
- Dak Nong Farmers: Adapting to Climate Change Through Crop Diversification (Q&A)
- What’s Happening in Dak Nong, Vietnam, Regarding Agriculture?
- Why Are Dak Nong Farmers diversifying Their Crops?
- What Crops Are Dak Nong Farmers Transitioning To?
- How Manny Farmers Have Switched Crops in Dak Nong?
- What is Dak Nong’s Government Doing to Support Crop Diversification?
- What are the Benefits of Crop Diversification in Dak Nong?
- What are the challenges the farmers of Dak Nong are facing?
- Where can I learn more about sustainable farming practices?
DAK NONG, Vietnam – Farmers in Dak Nong province are increasingly diversifying thier crops to adapt to the challenges posed by climate change, shifting away from traditional staples like coffee and rubber to more resilient and profitable alternatives.
Mangoes Offer a Sweet Option
Nguyen Van Khanh,a farmer in Tan Loi village of Dak Mil district,has successfully transitioned his land to mango cultivation. Khanh now cultivates over two hectares of Taiwan Mangoes, yielding approximately 30 tons per hectare. His family’s annual income from mangoes ranges from 500 million to 600 million VND.
Khanh explained that the area was previously used for coffee farming, but frequent droughts led to low productivity.”The mango tree also requires water, but the amount is smaller, and the labor and materials needed each year are not as much as coffee,” Khanh said.
Khanh’s family emphasizes high-quality production by implementing advanced management techniques, pest prevention strategies, and adhering to VietGAP standards for plant protection product use.
Rubber Farmers Turn to Durian
in Tsuxuan’s Temple Ten Village 10, Tran Thi Bin’s family converted 5 hectares of rubber plantation to 2 hectares of rubber and 3 hectares of durian in 2024.
Bin stated that the rubber farm, which had been in operation for over 20 years, was becoming less productive due to climate change. She noted that rubber trees were increasingly susceptible to pests such as termites,earthworms,red spiders,yellow spiders,pods,and worms.
To ensure a prosperous crop transition, Bin’s family focused on thorough land readiness and garden sanitation. They selected durian varieties known for their disease resistance, drought tolerance, and vigorous growth.
The family also invested in an advanced irrigation system, including ponds for water storage, to adapt to drought conditions and support the newly planted durian trees.
Climate Change Drives Crop Restructuring
According to the Dak Nong Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, climate change has substantially impacted crop cultivation in the region.
Crop restructuring is considered a key solution for adapting to climate change and drought. This involves not only switching to diffrent crops but also adopting new varieties and technologies to minimize damage and ensure economic efficiency.
To date, Dak Nong farmers have converted approximately 4,100 hectares of inefficient or unsuitable crops to more appropriate alternatives. In 2024 alone,over 1,600 hectares of coffee,pepper,rubber,and cashew – the region’s four major crops – were converted due to poor adaptation and ineffectiveness.
Alternative crops include jackfruit, oranges, tangerines, and durian. The coffee conversion area totals over 532 hectares, primarily in Dak Mil, Dak R’lap, and dak Glong districts. Red pepper conversion covers 274 hectares in cu Jut and Dak Song, while cashew nut conversion encompasses over 368 hectares in Krong No, Volalab, and Dak Long districts, and Gia Nghia city.
Rubber farmland conversion accounts for more than 440 hectares, mainly in Dak R’lap, Dak Mil, and Krong No districts.
Government Support for Crop Diversification
Vo Van Minh, deputy director of the Dak Nong Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, stated that the province is promoting the conversion to long-term crops that are better suited to climate change, utilizing the region’s land potential, and reorganizing production according to the value chain, with a focus on in-depth processing.
Local governments are encouraging and supporting the rational shift of crop structures to develop large-scale specialized areas with various production models suitable for different sub-regions.
DAK NONG aims to shift more than 8,557 hectares of coffee, pepper, rubber, and cashew that are not suitable for local situations or lack potential for crop cultivation by 2030.
Dak Nong Farmers: Adapting to Climate Change Through Crop Diversification (Q&A)
What’s Happening in Dak Nong, Vietnam, Regarding Agriculture?
Farmers in Dak nong province, Vietnam, are actively adapting to the challenges of climate change by diversifying their crops. This means shifting away from traditional staples like coffee and rubber, which are becoming less viable due to droughts and other climate impacts.
Why Are Dak Nong Farmers diversifying Their Crops?
The primary driver behind crop diversification in Dak Nong is climate change. Specifically:
- Droughts: Frequent and severe droughts are impacting the productivity of traditional crops like coffee and rubber.
- Pest Infestations: Changes in climate are making crops like rubber more susceptible to pests.
- Economic viability: With changing climate conditions, farmers are actively searching for more resilient and profitable alternatives.
What Crops Are Dak Nong Farmers Transitioning To?
Farmers are turning to a variety of option crops, with mangoes and durian being prominent examples. Other options include jackfruit, oranges, tangerines, and cocoa.
The Mango Farming Success Story
A prime example is Nguyen Van Khanh, a farmer in Tan Loi village who switched from coffee to mango cultivation. His family now cultivates over two hectares of Taiwan Mangoes, yielding approximately 30 tons per hectare. This has resulted in a notable increase in income, ranging from 500 to 600 million VND annually.
Khanh highlights that while mangoes also require water, the amount needed is less than that for coffee, reducing the impact of droughts. His family also uses advanced techniques to produce high-quality mangoes, adhering to VietGAP standards.
Durian: A Promising Alternative for Rubber Farmers
Tran Thi Bin’s family, in Tsuxuan’s Temple Ten Village 10, converted a rubber plantation to durian farming. Rising susceptibility to pests and lower rubber yields were the key motivators in the decision
They invested heavily in land preparation, sanitation and irrigation systems. They also chose durian varieties known disease resistance and drought tolerance.
How Manny Farmers Have Switched Crops in Dak Nong?
To date, approximately 4,100 hectares of less suitable crops have been converted to more lasting alternatives. In 2024 alone, over 1,600 hectares of coffee, pepper, rubber, and cashew were converted.
What is Dak Nong’s Government Doing to Support Crop Diversification?
The Dak nong Department of Agriculture and Rural Development actively supports the crop diversification initiative. This includes:
- Promoting suitable crops: Promoting crops better adapted to climate change.
- Land Utilization: Utilizing the region’s land potential.
- Value Chain Optimization: reorganizing production and in-depth processing.
- Financial and Technical Assistance: Offering incentives to facilitate change and providing technical support.
- Targeted Goals: Dak Nong aims to transition over 8,557 hectares of unsuitable coffee, pepper, rubber, and cashew by 2030.
What are the Benefits of Crop Diversification in Dak Nong?
Crop diversification offers several benefits:
- Improved Resilience: The new crops are often more resistant to droughts and pests.
- Increased Profitability: Alternative crops can be more profitable, especially in changing climatic conditions.
- Sustainable Agriculture: The shift supports a more sustainable agricultural model for the region.
- Economic Diversification: Reducing reliance on a single crop makes the region’s economy more stable.
What are the challenges the farmers of Dak Nong are facing?
While crop diversification offers significant potential rewards, farmers face challenges such as:
- Initial Investment: The need for new irrigation systems, investment in different varieties, and pest management can be costly.
- Knowledge Gap: farmers need to learn to cultivate new crops.
- Market Availability: Exploring new market linkages for their newly grown crops.
Where can I learn more about sustainable farming practices?
Explore farming practices,sustainable agriculture and latest climate change solutions through the links provided below: