Developing Mekong Delta coconuts through ecological, circular, and low-emission agriculture

A key crop amid climate challenges

For generations, coconut trees have been closely tied to the lives of people in Vietnam’s southwestern region, providing the main livelihood for hundreds of thousands of farming households. However, the pressures of climate change, emerging pests, and increasingly strict international market requirements have greatly affected the Mekong Delta’s coconut industry. This calls for a transformation from traditional practices to ecological, circular, and low-emission coconut cultivation.

According to Nguyen Huu Hue, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Vinh Long province, coconut is a key crop and the primary source of income for more than 270,000 local households. In 2025, the estimated value of coconut production is VND 4.18 trillion (at 2010 constant prices) and VND 11 trillion (at current prices), contributing significantly to the province’s agricultural economy.

Despite the industry’s ample potential, climate change poses major challenges. “Freshwater shortages, drought, and tidal flooding cause root rot and severe yield decline,” Hue said. In response, Vinh Long has proposed a scheme to build a soil-mapping system, assess soil physical-chemical properties, and manage nutrition for coconut-growing areas. The initiative aims to develop specialized organic coconut growing zones, improve soil health, and enhance the sector’s competitiveness for the  2026 - 2030 period, opening a vision to 2050.

Huynh Thi Ngoc Diem, Deputy Director of the Southern Region Crop Production and Plant Protection Center, said, “The Mekong Delta has the largest coconut area in the country, concentrated mainly in Vinh Long province and Can Tho city. However, farming techniques remain inconsistent, irrigation is outdated, and many growers still misuse fertilizers and pesticides, thus affecting quality and export potential.”

Deputy Director Diem emphasized the need to strongly develop drip irrigation, moisture sensors, automated watering systems, and disease-resistant, high-yield coconut varieties. These technologies form the foundation for a climate-resilient, environmentally certified coconut industry suited to demanding markets.

Tran Tan Thanh, Regional Manager for the Mekong Delta at Binh Dien Fertilizer Joint Stock Company, said the firm is developing a nano fertilizer line specialized for coconuts to reduce fruit drop, which is one of the sector’s biggest causes of yield loss. Binh Dien’s new products focus on improving soil health, supplementing beneficial microbes, strengthening plant immunity, and increasing yields and fruit quality.

Currently, farmers mainly use Dau Trau NPK 20-20-15 to improve fruit set rate and fruit size, but Binh Dien is expanding its product range with fast-dissolving granules that enhance nutrient uptake. At the planting stage, growers can apply NPK 20-15-5+TE or Dau Trau AT1 to support strong seedling development.

In the productive stage, formulas such as NPK 15-25-20+TE, 16-16-16+TE, and Dau Trau Nuoi Trai help increase fruit set rate, size, and uniformity. To further prevent fruit cracking, farmers may also use Dau Trau Organic Gold (super calcium-boron) or coconut-specific nano foliar sprays.

According to Tran Van Cao, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Vietnam Agriculture and Environment News, Vietnam’s fertilizer sector is undergoing rapid “greening” from production processes to field application. “Businesses must collaborate across the value chain, from seed selection to fertilizers and crop protection products, so Vietnamese coconut trees can truly be ‘green’ from root to crown,” he stressed.

A green and safe coconut sector is Vietnam’s new strategic direction

From the viewpoint of Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Thanh of the Vietnam Coconut Association, safe farming and plant-protection practices are not just technical requirements but a strategic orientation to restructure the coconut industry toward ecological, circular, and low-emission development. This is the only pathway for the industry to integrate deeply into global markets and meet stringent environmental and social responsibility standards.

Information from Dr. Pham Anh Tuan, Director of the Institute of Agricultural Engineering and Post-Harvest Technology (Ministry of Agriculture and Environment), shows that Vietnam has more than 200,000 ha of coconut, with the Mekong Delta accounting for 80%. Producing over 2 million tons per year, the industry ranks fifth globally in terms of exports, but only nearly 30% of output undergoes deep processing. Most products remain basic items such as desiccated coconut, coconut candy, coconut oil, and coir fiber.

He suggests investments in modern processing technologies, including UHT sterilization, cold-centrifuge extraction of pure coconut oil, and aseptic packaging. He also calls for government support to help businesses adopt international technologies, expand foreign partnerships, and develop the “Green and Safe Vietnamese Coconut” brand.

Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Thanh noted that building a sustainable agricultural ecosystem for coconuts requires unified coordination between the government, scientists, associations, businesses, and farmers. The government needs to promote policy planning, standard setting, and green-credit support. As for research institutes and universities, developing disease-resistant varieties and transferring ecological technologies should be primary priorities. Industry associations must coordinate strategies to build a national coconut brand, while enterprises and cooperatives focus on organizing raw-material zones, applying biotechnology, ensuring traceability, and creating stable jobs.

*USD 1 = VND 26.350 (Vietcombank, November 14, 2025)