Ben Tre province has the largest scale coconut planting and the growing national focus of the bulk materials. Prior to 2005, the area of steady coconut 37000-38000 ha, then increased to 58 440 hectares in 2012 and 60,000 ha by the end of 2013.
Ben Tre coconut is divided into two main groups are: Group of coconut oil (coconut processing industry), as I am green, I am yellow, chickpeas, yellow, coconut fire. Coconut Bung ...; and the hybrid coconut seeds as PB121, PB141, JVA1, JVA2. Group of fresh fruits like coconut (coconut water), including Siamese Blue Coconut, Coconut Siamese Fire, Coconut Brown EO, EO Green Coconut, Coconut Tam Quan, ...; There are also other special varieties such as coconut coconut stripes, Coconut Wax, Pineapple coconut ... coconut water varieties accounted for 12.5% of the area of Ben Tre coconut and coconut plantation interspersed with areas processing industries.
Coconut drink coconut dwarf group, the left early, high yield, number of fruit on the counter for many, water tastes sweet. Coconut water is considered a beverage for the health benefits because it contains some essential minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, ragged-ri, iron, vitamin C acts ... especially content high potassium (198 mg / 100 ml). In group drinking coconut water with pineapple coconut aroma characteristics should be favored consumers. Currently Coconut Pineapple plants are considered prospects for people in the Mekong Delta and is grown in Ben Tre.
Coconut Pineapple was introduced from Thailand, suited to the climatic conditions and soil of Vietnam, especially in the southern provinces. Coconut Pineapple is mainly used for drinking water as other dwarf coconut varieties but distinct aroma thanks to favored consumers, so coconut pineapple is often worth 2-3 times higher than the coconut Siam. Features of coconut Coconut Pineapple is not only water but other components such as leaves, flowers, pollen, rice and coconut shells are pineapple scented leaves, most fragrant in the dry season. Coconut Pineapple start flowering after 2.5 years when the fruit growing and stable yield can reach over 100 fruits / year. Coconut Pineapple has 3 main groups, differentiated by size left: fruit small, medium and left to left. Pineapple Coconut flavored small left most charming.
Before 2006, the area planted in Ben Tre Coconut Pineapple is not adequate statistics, but in the palm of each family gardens are planted with coconut pineapple small scale, scattered, each intercrop 5-10 trees , estimated the province only a few thousand trees (seedlings mainly by the Center for plant Varieties and Central provinces of Dong Go Coconut supply).
Starting from the economic effects of coconut pineapple, 2006, the People's Committee of Ben Tre province to allow implementation of the project: "Du imported and planted 500 ha development in Ben Tre Coconut Pineapple", issued by the Department of Science Science and Technology is the governing body, progressive Center for Applied Science and Technology is responsible for implementation units. The project was implemented in 2 phases: The first phase in 2006-2009, the implementation phase model 50 hectares in 03 districts of Mo Cay, Giong Trom, Chau Thanh has brought initial results are very encouraging , the Council for Science and Technology provinces acceptance (before the deadline 01 years) achieved excellence category. On that basis, Center for Applied Scientific progress and PPC technology is deployed to allow replication stage of the project. Phase 2, the project "Implementation of an expansion phase and planting projects Du enter 200 hectare development in Ben Tre Coconut Pineapple" was implemented from October 2008 to October 2011 (36 months) . After nearly 03 years of implementation, the project has provided 52,322 farmers planting standards, equivalent to 261.595 ha planted area, with 1,083 farmers of 68 communes in the districts of Chau Thanh, Mo Cay Nam, North Cay, Giong Trom District, Thanh Phu, Ba Tri and Binh Dai, Ben Tre City to participate. In addition, the Management Board also project self funding 6,990 imported pineapple coconut seeds to seedlings in nursery trials Dong Go Coconut Center. 2,515 results obtained Pineapple coconut seed, reached 35.98% rate (low germination rate by coconut fruit varieties imported substandard quality). In addition, units and establishments providing seedlings in the province has also contributed to import and supply a large quantity of coconut seedlings to farmers for planting locally. According to incomplete statistics, the preliminary in 05 years (from 500 ha project is started), the provider of seedlings: the Nine Commentaries, In Hon, Germany and Camp Two seedlings of Cho Lach; Seed Centre of Agriculture Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Center for Coconut Dong Go has provided over 50,000 coconut seedlings to farmers of the districts in the province. This seedling was imported from a number of sources, such as from Thailand's VACDONA Company (Dong Nai) left to enter the nursery in Dong Nai same; some company in Ho Chi Minh City on the same imported fruit nursery in suburban areas; from Cambodia due to some waterborne import traders to provide seedlings for the sale of Cho Lach ...
Thus, to date 30/6/2011, if including the supply of seedlings outside the scope of the project, a total of Coconut Pineapple varieties were provided from multiple sources reached about 117,000 trees, the area planted to Pineapple coconut in the province is about 580 ha. From 2011 to now, some coconut pineapple growing because of the economic efficiency it brings increased income for coconut farmers.
Consumption of coconut drink coconut water as Siamese Blue, Coconut Strawberry, Coconut Tam Quan ... last time also flourished. Especially in the hot season, coconut water is not enough supply to export to Central Province, north, Ho Chi Minh City and other provinces. Prices drinking coconut water and coconut pineapple least be significantly increased. Coconut Pineapple sometimes sold at tourist spots from 25,000 to 30,000 price / fruit (fresh or frozen fruit). Pimping to make Pineapple coconut gardens purchasing from 10000-12000 copper / left, even at 15,000 dong / left, while other kinds of coconut water from 4,000 to 6,000 VND / left (at peak dry season). compared to the price of purchasing the current market, more than double the coconut Pineapple coconut green Siamese. Pineapple coconut growers left in the first receiver to recover capital and profits.
However, the purchase price of coconut water and coconut pineapple generally in particular are often unstable due to the seasonal dependence and consumption situation on the domestic market, the coconut growers less interested in the expansion area coconut-growing but often intercropped with coconut or industrial crops grown in the garden at home use.
To find the output for pineapple coconut trees in order to add value to coconut water. In the days 09, 11 and 12.09.2014, Permanent Ben Tre Coconut Association in collaboration with the Coconut Mekong Company Limited and the Agriculture and Rural Development Chau Thanh district organized seminars with pineapple coconut farmers in Phuoc Thanh, Huu Dinh, Tam Phuoc, Communications and town, Chau Thanh Hoa (Chau Thanh district), program implementation Pineapple coconut consumption.
The goal of the program is the goal of all harvested coconut coconut production in the province of Ben Tre, through direct contracting with coconut growers and groups representing the contract term is 5 years. Pineapple coconut purchases delivered directly to Genes de Nimes Company Limited (GDN), 32 Hollywood Road headquarters, 16 / F Kinwick Centre, Central Hong Kong, represented by Mr. Ronan exports through Hong Kong market , USA, Europe needs about 50,000 left / day equivalent left 1.5 million / month, but now the market Ben Tre coconut Pineapple is not enough to provide the needs of the company.
To build sustainable linkages, long term, Mekong Company Limited Coconut determine Pineapple Coconut trading activities between the company and farmers not merely in terms of trade but the company also offers support policies farmers participating in the program, have signed a contract to sell coconuts to the Company, as follows:
1 sign contracts with individual households consume all their pineapple coconut production at market prices from time to time and paid immediately in cash. In the case of coconut fell below 50,000 VND / dozen, the Company has purchased from farmers at the minimum price of 50,000 VND / dozen coconuts.
2 policies to support farmers buy fertilizer high quality fertilizer supply before January 3 times according to the 100kg / ha and repaid within 3 months no interest, shall be deducted the amount purchasing coconut fruit.
3 Guidelines farmers planting and care techniques coconut, workshops, meet regularly or direct instruction every household in the care and prevention of insect, pest prevention coconut, farmers borrow equipment to prevent insects naturally, to increase productivity, quality coconut fruit, coconut plantations invest in qualified certified organic coconuts to expand markets a sustainable benefits to the environment and the lives of farmers.
4 When wishing to use the money spent in the family, farmers advance up to 50% of the total monthly average selling coconuts within 1 month interest.
Through seminars at the commune, Chau Thanh district, commune leaders generally positive coordinate implementation of the program; advocacy organizations participate coconut farmers and the formation of cooperative groups / local link. Most, coconut farmers agree with how the policy objectives of the company, particularly the sharing of risks and supporting policy input to ensure output for coconut farmers.
This program is expected to continue in the districts: Giong Trom District, Binh Dai, Ben Tre City and other districts, based on two criteria: the area of coconut and pineapple-growing rate. The cooperative group / affiliate will cooperate with the Company in organizing and supervising the implementation of the commitment between the two parties.
In the long term, the company plans to implement programs to support higher benefits for coconut farmers, such as certification programs, fair trade; Support educational programs for children of farmers in the cooperative group; The periodic health examination for households in the cooperative group ...
