Dong Thap: Coconut acreage increases, farmers cautious about massive planting

Recently, farmers in Dong Thap province have focused on growing coconut trees in a monoculture or intercropping manner, causing the area of this tree to increase continuously. The issue of concern is that farmers must be cautious in developing this type of tree massively.

Recently, farmers in Dong Thap province have focused on growing coconut trees in a monoculture or intercropping manner, causing the area of this tree to increase continuously. The issue of concern is that farmers must be cautious in developing this type of tree massively.

Up to this point, the entire Dong Thap province has a coconut tree area of nearly 25,000 hectares (mainly in the former Tien Giang province).

The area of coconut trees has increased rapidly in the past 5 years and has increased the most in the past year, when the price of coconuts was at a record high. There was a time when fresh coconuts cost over 150 thousand VND/dozen (12 fruits), dried coconuts cost over 200 thousand VND/dozen. Meanwhile, many types of fruit such as mango, jackfruit, dragon fruit, durian, lemon, orange, guava... have dropped dramatically in price.

Many dragon fruit gardens now have farmers switching to growing coconut trees.

In some localities, farmers have cut down ineffective fruit orchards to switch to coconut cultivation or intercropping coconuts in other gardens. This has led to a shortage of coconut varieties and high prices. At this time, coconut varieties cost from 50-55 thousand VND/fruit (depending on the variety), nearly double the same period last year.

Coconut varieties are currently in short supply and prices are soaring due to increased demand from farmers.

Experts advise farmers to be cautious when planting coconuts en masse, especially in areas where soil conditions are not suitable for this type of tree. In recent times, coconut output has been unstable due to slow exports; at the same time, coconut trees are also facing attacks from pests, especially the black-headed worm, which is very difficult to control.

According to Nhat Truong - VOV/Mekong Delta

Source: https://baovinhlong.com.vn/kinh-te/202507/dong-thap-dien-tich-cay-dua-tang-len-nong-dan-than-trong-khi-trong-o-at-ca10fcc/