Dong Thap converts mango by-products into organic fertilizer

Dong Thap province, often referred to as the mango capital of the Mekong Delta, boasts the largest mango cultivation area in the region, covering nearly 18,000 hectares. Each year, local farmers harvest approximately 200,000 tons of mangoes to serve both domestic consumption and export markets. However, along with this impressive output comes a significant amount of agricultural by-products, estimated at 60,000 to 75,000 tons annually, including mango peels, seeds, and pulp left over from processing activities. The challenge is how to turn this agricultural waste into a valuable resource.

To address this pressing issue, Dong Thap province is currently implementing a scientific research project titled “Optimizing the production process of organic biofertilizer from mango by-products.” This project is carried out by the Southern Horticultural Research Institute in collaboration with the Dong Thap Department of Science and Technology, aiming to find sustainable solutions to manage the substantial amount of mango waste generated annually.

According to Dr. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Truc, Head of the Agronomy Department at the Southern Horticultural Research Institute, mango by-products can account for as much as 30 to 50 percent of the total fruit weight. If these by-products are not properly treated and managed, they can become a significant source of environmental pollution.

The research project leverages beneficial microorganisms, including Trichoderma fungi, nitrogen-fixing bacteria, and various biological enzymes, to accelerate the breakdown of organic materials found in mango peels, seeds, and pulp. Through this process, the agricultural waste is transformed into a nutrient-rich organic biofertilizer. This biofertilizer not only enhances soil fertility and structure but also promotes sustainable and healthy crop growth.

The use of indigenous microbial agents makes the treatment process more environmentally friendly and practical under local farming conditions in Dong Thap. Encouragingly, the research has already yielded successful results and has been adopted for real-world application by Dong Thap Agriculture and Biofuel Co., Ltd.

Mr. Tran Ngoc Phuc, Director of Dong Thap Agriculture and Biofuel Co., Ltd., stated: “I was born and raised in the mango-growing region of Cao Lanh. The research results on converting mango by-products into organic fertilizer show great potential for supporting agricultural production. With abundant raw materials available, the factory is expected to produce an average of 30 tons of organic fertilizer per day, equivalent to 9,000 tons per year. This will help process a large volume of mango waste and supply high-quality organic fertilizer to support crop production throughout the province.”

According to Mr. Phuc, preliminary calculations indicate that the company’s annual revenue from organic fertilizer production could reach tens of billions of Vietnamese dong, while significantly reducing the amount of agricultural waste discharged into the environment. Beyond economic benefits, the use of organic fertilizer also helps farmers reduce production costs and improve soil fertility, thereby increasing both the yield and quality of agricultural products.

Mr. Nguyen Thai Binh, Deputy Director of the Dong Thap Department of Science and Technology, commented that the enterprise's proactive adoption of the research results on mango by-products for commercialization is a very encouraging step forward. This exemplifies how science and technology, when closely aligned with practical needs, can achieve effective results.

It is encouraging that the cycle of turning mango fruit into organic fertilizer, which is then used to nourish mango trees or other crops, creates a genuine circular economy model. Particularly, as Dong Thap is currently undergoing agricultural restructuring and aiming for green development, this approach represents a strategic direction that contributes significantly to environmental protection and increases farmers’ incomes.

In the long term, Dong Thap province aims to build strong and sustainable linkages between farmers, enterprises, and scientific researchers. By creating a clear understanding of the benefits that organic fertilizer brings, such as cost savings and improved crop quality, farrmers will be willing to make the switch. This, indeed, is the greatest success of the project.