Category Archives: Chưa phân loại

A critical step in establishing and managing a successful fruit farm is the selection and planting of high-quality seedlings, which are produced by specialized nurseries. Despite the sector’s significance, no comprehensive study had previously been conducted on the fruit nursery industry in the Mekong Delta. 

To address this gap, the SUCCEEDS project team carried out the region’s first fruit nursery census in February and March 2025. With the support of all provincial Departments of Agriculture and Environment (DAE) in the Mekong Delta region, there are over 8,000 active nurseries (all types included, with and without business license). From the list provided by DAEs, there are 741 nurseries registered. Among these, the team identified 70 fruit nurseries which have active production operations across the region. Of these, 51 nurseries were visited for short interviews to gain an initial overview of the sector. 

At the time of the survey: 

• 69% of nurseries produced and sold both citrus and other tropical fruits. 

• 28% focused exclusively on citrus. 

• 4% specialized in other tropical fruits. 

Among tropical fruit seedlings, durian (27 nurseries) and jackfruit (22 nurseries) were the most commonly produced. Other varieties included star apple, mango, guava, longan, rambutan, coconut, mangosteen, and more. 

In the citrus category: 

• 43 out of 51 nurseries produced and sold seedless lime. 
• 29 nurseries offered pomelo (mainly pink and honey varieties). 
• Other citrus types included orange, clementine, seed lime, kumquat, and several local varieties. 

Bến Tre Province emerged as the leading hub for citrus seedling production, offering a wide range of citrus varieties. 

In terms of production area: 

• Most nurseries operated on plots ranging from 1,000 to 10,000 m². 

• Eight nurseries reported significantly larger areas (15 to 35 hectares), often consisting of land rented from other farmers. 

Based on the findings of the census, 25 nurseries were selected for a more detailed survey scheduled for April. From this group, 10 nurseries will be invited to participate in the SUCCEEDS Nursery Development Training Program, aimed at enhancing nursery practices and supporting sustainable growth in the citrus sector.

Long An province: Vietnam’s leading lime cultivation area 

With over 11,000 hectares of seedless lime, Long An Province is the most significant lime-growing region in Vietnam. It was also the first area in the country to cultivate the seedless lime variety. While a smaller, seeded lime variety had been grown locally for years, the introduction of the seedless variety—brought by Vietnamese-American returnees from California—marked a turning point. Farmers refer to this variety as the “Cali lime.” 

Tra Vinh province: Khmer minority farmers transitioning from rice to lime 

Lime cultivation is a relatively new activity in Tra Vinh Province, which is predominantly inhabited by Khmer ethnic minority farmers. These communities, many of whom fled the Cambodian conflict in the 1980s, initially settled in the area with their cattle. Since then, Tra Vinh has become known for beef production, alongside rice and coconut farming. 

In an effort to improve incomes, local farmers and government officials approached The Fruit Republic (TFR) to explore the potential of citrus farming. TFR partnered with a small farmer cooperative to pilot lime cultivation. After four years, the results were promising, and together with the Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD), Tra Vinh was officially included in the SUCCEEDS project. Today, over 150 rice farmers in the region are eager to transition to lime farming. The baseline study aimed to understand this shift and explore farmers’ expectations and challenges. 

Key Insights from the Study 

The seven-year lime life cycle: peaks and pitfalls

In Long An, the average economic life cycle of seedless lime orchards is just seven years. Farmers typically face negative cash flow during the first two years while establishing their orchards. Peak yields—and the most profitable period—occur between years three and five. After that, productivity declines due to disease pressure (mainly Phytophthora) and tree fatigue, prompting many farmers to replant by year six or seven. Extending the productive lifespan to 12 years could significantly boost farmer incomes. Achieving this will require improvements in farm management practices. 

Tree Mortality and Planting Practices 

Each year, at least 10% of trees are lost due to suboptimal planting techniques. By the time orchards become profitable, up to 30% of the original trees may have died. This results in mixed-aged orchards, complicating management. Some farmers attempt to mitigate losses by planting two seedlings per hole, but this often proves more costly than beneficial. 

Profitability drives adoption, but financing is a barrier 

Profit potential is the main motivator for farmers switching to lime cultivation. However, access to finance remains a significant hurdle. In Long An, 16% of surveyed seedless lime farmers require loans to make the transition. In Tra Vinh, this figure rises to 46%, reflecting the greater financial needs in this newer production area. These figures are based on current practices; if farmers adopt improvements such as drip irrigation, drainage systems, higher-quality seedlings, or infrastructure for GlobalGAP certification, credit requirements will increase substantially. 

Agrochemical Packaging Waste Management  

As part of its collaboration with provincial governments, the SUCCEEDS project is working to improve the collection and incineration of agrochemical packaging waste. The study assessed the volume of such waste generated per hectare annually. On average, one hectare of seedless lime in Tra Vinh produces 111 units of agro-chemical packaging, compared to 140 units in Long An. In contrast, rice farming generates 174 units per hectare. A significant number of non-TFR farmers in both provinces still dispose of plastic waste by burning or discarding it in the environment. 

The mission focused on key sectors including water management and technology, agri-food and horticulture, and green, digitalized logistics. 

The forum attracted hundreds of Dutch and Vietnamese companies, along with high-level officials such as the Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development and several provincial chairpersons from the Mekong Delta.

At the event, SUCCEEDS project partners set up an engaging booth to inform participants about this innovative public-private partnership and its mission to transform Vietnam’s citrus sector through sustainable development and farmer empowerment. 

Among the exhibitors was The Fruit Republic (TFR), a Dutch company with a subsidiary in Vietnam. TFR in Vietnam has grown to become the country’s leading citrus fruit exporter. The company is known for its strong commitment to small-holder farmer inclusion, supported by its dedicated extension services and quality assurance systems. 

TFR’s Director, Siebe van Wijk, presented the newly launched SUCCEEDS project to Prime Minister Chính and Minister Hoan. This public-private partnership aims to empower up to 150,000 Vietnamese citrus farmers by promoting sustainable agricultural practices that enhance productivity and income. Key initiatives include investments in demonstration farms, farm specific soil nutrient management advice, access to finance, and citrus nursery sector development. 

Prime Minister Chính expressed pride in the global success of Vietnamese pomelo and lime, products that TFR has helped bring to international markets. Minister Hoan, a native of Đồng Tháp Province, was particularly pleased to see seedless limes from the local cooperative Mỹ Long featured in TFR’s export packaging. Both leaders expressed strong support for the SUCCEEDS project and its potential to further advance Vietnam’s citrus sector.