Restructuring the coconut industry toward an ecological, circular, and low-emission model

On November 6, at Tra Vinh University, the Viet Nam Agriculture and Nature Newspaper, in collaboration with the Department of Plant Production and Protection, Tra Vinh University, the Viet Nam Coconut Association, and the Departments of Agriculture and Environment of Mekong Delta provinces, organized the forum titled “Communication on Coconut Health Management in Viet Nam to Meet Production and Consumer Demand.”

According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Thanh, Chairwoman of the Viet Nam Coconut Association, as the country’s agriculture faces major challenges from climate change, environmental pollution, and increasingly high consumer demands, safety in cultivation and plant protection has become more critical than ever. Applying environmentally friendly solutions not only improves productivity and product quality but also protects human health, maintains ecological balance, and strengthens the position of Vietnamese coconut products in international markets.

Ms. Thanh noted that modern consumption trends are increasingly shifting toward prioritizing products that are “green, clean, and traceable,” reflecting a growing awareness among consumers about environmental sustainability, food safety, and ethical sourcing. This shift places new demands on the coconut industry, requiring it to fundamentally transform its production methods by adopting sustainable cultivation practices, implementing integrated pest management, and ensuring safe plant protection measures throughout the supply chain. According to her, maintaining safety in coconut cultivation and plant protection is not only a technical necessity but also a strategic approach, serving as the key to achieving a careful balance among three critical pillars: economic efficiency, ecological safety, and consumer trust.

Coconut is a perennial industrial crop with the fourth-largest cultivation area in Viet Nam, after rubber, coffee, and cashew, covering more than 200,000 hectares. Once considered a secondary crop, the coconut industry has made remarkable progress over the past decade thanks to the efforts of farmers and enterprises. By 2024, exports of coconut-based products reached nearly USD 1 billion, and the crop was included in the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment's national program for the development of key industrial crops. Vinh Long is now regarded as the “coconut capital of Viet Nam,” accounting for two-thirds of the country’s total coconut area.

“By keeping pace with consumer trends, adopting technological innovations, and expanding markets, Viet Nam’s coconut industry is making a strong breakthrough, particularly with the wave of creative startups introducing distinctive products such as coconut nectar and wax coconut, enriching the portfolio of Made-in-Viet Nam goods.

Ensuring safety in coconut cultivation and plant protection is not merely a technical requirement for pest control or productivity improvement but a strategic orientation to restructure the coconut industry toward an ecological, circular, and low-emission model. This is the only path for the sector to deeply integrate into the global market, meet green standards, and fulfill the growing demands of social responsibility,” noted the Chairwoman of the Viet Nam Coconut Association.

In the context of mounting challenges from climate change, the emergence of new pests such as the black-headed caterpillar, increasing environmental pollution, and volatility in global markets, the establishment of a safe and resilient coconut agricultural ecosystem calls for close coordination among four key stakeholders.

The State plays a central role in formulating policies, setting standards, providing green credit incentives, and ensuring the quality and safety of agricultural products. Scientists are tasked with conducting research, transferring technologies, developing pest-resistant coconut varieties, and designing ecologically adaptive and climate-resilient farming models. The Viet Nam Coconut Association acts as a strategic bridge between policymakers, producers, and markets - offering expert policy recommendations, promoting national branding, and fostering sustainable industry growth. Meanwhile, enterprises and cooperatives are the frontline actors who organize raw-material zones, implement biotechnology and digital traceability systems, engage in deep processing, and create stable employment and income opportunities for farmers.

In the long run, this integrated approach will not only lay the foundation for building the brand “Green and Safe Viet Nam Coconut” but also strengthen the country’s competitive edge in the global market. More importantly, it will help farmers transition from fragmented, small-scale production toward an ecological, responsible, and globally integrated agricultural system - fully aligned with Viet Nam’s Strategy for Ecological, Circular, and Low-Emission Agricultural Development through 2050.