Organic Farming Ensures Stable Output and High Prices for Cacao

Farmers in Cu Ni commune, Ea Kar district, are currently harvesting cacao. Cacao provides a stable income source. Nong Thi Duyen, a cacao farmer, shared that her family earned 70 million VND from cacao in 2023 and expects double that this year. 'Due to limited local cacao cultivation, businesses offer high and stable purchase prices,' Duyen stated. Cacao requires minimal care, primarily pruning and applying organic fertilizers. Year-round fruiting allows for continuous harvesting and income. Bui Thi Ha, another farmer, also uses organic methods and participates in a cooperative for stable output. Nguyen Tien Trong, Head of the Quang Cu 1B Farmers' Association, stated that cacao prices have been high, averaging 160,000 VND per kilogram of dried beans. 'Compared to coffee, cacao provides higher income with less labor,' Trong said. Farmers mainly utilize organic fertilizers to avoid environmental pollution. Collaboration with export businesses ensures stable prices and provides training on export-oriented production techniques. Nguyen Dinh Thien, Director of Dong Tien Agricultural and Service Cooperative, reported that the cooperative collaborates with businesses to purchase cacao and encourages organic farming. 'Cacao thrives in the soil of Cu Ni commune... With stable prices, cacao is becoming a key crop,' Thien shared. Cu Ni currently has one cooperative and two associations, and the local government plans to encourage further collaboration to ensure guaranteed output and stable sales.