Acid-tolerant sugarcane grown on "chicken-fat" soil

From the "chicken-fat" soil (or loamy soil) mixed with gravel, farmers in Dong Tam commune, Dong Nai province, have planted acid-tolerant sugarcane, covering the once barren land known as "dogs eat rocks, chickens eat gravel." Few expected sugarcane would thrive, achieve high yields, and bring stable income to local farmers.

Nguyen Van Chau tending his family’s sugarcane field. Photo: Thuy Linh

Hamlet 3, Dong Tam commune features hilly terrain, with many areas of nutrient-poor loamy soil mixed with gravel. Farming on this land is highly challenging. In response, Nguyen Van Chau shifted from growing fruit trees to cultivating acid-tolerant sugarcane. Thanks to this model, his family now earns several million dong per day, and their livelihood has become increasingly stable.

Acid-tolerant sugarcane not only grows in acid sulfate soil

During a visit to Can Tho, Chau learned about acid-tolerant sugarcane and brought seedlings back to plant in his garden. Initially, he cleared 2 hectares of aging fruit trees to grow sugarcane. Later, seeing the crop thrive on loamy soil, he expanded by another 3 hectares, including 2 hectares intercropped with coconut trees. While acid-tolerant sugarcane is commonly grown by farmers in the Mekong Delta, it has also proven well-suited to conditions in Dong Tam commune.

Following Chau to the sugarcane field planted just over a month ago, the young shoots had already reached about 80 centimeters in height. Several workers were hilling and fertilizing the plants. Chau explained: "Sugarcane fertilizer should only include nitrogen, manure should be avoided to prevent foul odors in the pressed juice." Acid-tolerant sugarcane can be propagated by either stem cuttings or cane tips, with tip planting resulting in faster growth. The crop is typically planted during the rainy season, which provides the most favorable conditions for development. Compared to other sugarcane varieties, acid-tolerant sugarcane offers several advantages: strong drought tolerance, good pest resistance, vigorous tillering, and higher yields.

Previously, Chau had tried varieties like ROC 16 and VD sugarcane, but the yield could not compare with acid-tolerant sugarcane. One hectare of this variety can produce 100-120 tons, double that of some other varieties. The investment cost per hectare is 60-65 million dong.

Becoming prosperous thanks to acid-tolerant sugarcane

For many years, Chau's family has run a sugarcane juice stall for travelers on National Highway 14. In addition to pressing juice for sale at home, he also supplies wholesale finished sugarcane to customers inside and outside the commune. Currently, raw cane sells at 3,000 dong/kg, finished cane at 5,000 dong/kg. Each hectare generates about 300 million dong in annual revenue, with more than 200 million dong net profit after expenses. By both selling juice and wholesaling sugarcane, Chau earns more than 2 million dong per day, not including seedling sales. Cane stems, and tips sell for 3,000-10,000 dong/kg. Farmers from other areas who know Chau as a successful propagator of acid-tolerant sugarcane on loamy soil have come to buy tips for planting.

In his 20 hectare-garden, besides sugarcane, Chau also cultivates over 10 hectares of rubber and coconut. He said: "While waiting for other crops to bear fruit, sugarcane is the family's main income source, bringing higher returns than some other crops."

Not only pioneering the acid-tolerant sugarcane model in Dong Tam commune, Chau also supplies seedlings and provides technical guidance to local farmers. "Nguyen Van Chau has propagated and sustained the acid-tolerant sugarcane model in the commune for nearly 10 years. It is a highly effective model, as this sugarcane variety offers high yields and consistent market demand. In recent years, the Dong Tam Commune Farmers' Association has organized field visits for members to learn from the model, particularly households with sloped, hard-to-cultivate land seeking to transition to sugarcane. Today, the model has expanded within and beyond the commune, contributing to increased household incomes," said Luan Thi Hue, Chair of the Dong Tam Commune Farmers' Association in Dong Nai province.

By: Thuy Linh

Translated by: Minh Hanh - Minho