Building sustainable cocoa industry in Dong Nai

With more than 1,000 hectares planted with cocoa, Dong Nai Province ranks among the country's top localities in cocoa acreage. Thanks to the early rollout of large-field projects and the transfer of cultivation and care techniques to farmers, Dong Nai Province leads the country in cocoa yields. Over the past few years, cocoa prices have risen exponentially, as the market still holds enormous potential.

Provincial Party Committee member, Vice Chairwoman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Thi Hoang visits a model of intercropping cocoa under cashew trees in Bu Dang commune. Photo: Binh Nguyen

Cocoa enjoys a stable market thanks to the participation of many enterprises investing in linked value chains from production to consumption and deep processing. The product is now exported to markets worldwide. The province's cocoa sector has also pioneered circular agriculture models, particularly by turning cocoa pod husks into biochar, helping the sector develop more sustainably.

Farmers confident in long-term engagement

The whole country currently has nearly 4,000 hectares of cocoa trees, with Dong Nai accounting for over 1,000 hectares. Beyond its leading acreage, the province achieves the highest cocoa yields nationwide, reaching approximately 26.5 tons per hectare, thanks to skilled farmers and favorable natural conditions.

The province also has significant potential to expand sustainable cocoa production by utilizing over 176,000 hectares of cashew plantations for intercropping. Cocoa cultivation not only generates economic value but also provides livelihoods for ethnic minority communities in areas such as Bu Gia Map, Phu Hoa, Da Kia, Dak O, Nam Cat Tien, Tan Phu, Xuan Bac, Dak Nhau, and Bom Bo. This approach contributes to poverty reduction and improved living standards for local people.

Since 2006, farmer Nguyen Khac Thuoc in Bu Dang Commune has pioneered intercropping cocoa within 4.5 hectares of cashew trees. This model has proven highly effective, increasing yields for both crops. Local authorities have since established a Cocoa Club in Bu Dang Commune, where members receive technology transfer for cocoa cultivation and care.

According to Thuoc, fresh cocoa prices currently exceed 10,000 VND/kg and have reached 16,000–18,000 VND/kg at times. At these levels, cocoa ranks among the most profitable crops. Importantly, farmers feel secure due to strong demand from multiple purchasing enterprises.

Cocoa bean drying process at Trong Duc Cocoa Co., Ltd., Phu Hoa commune.

Nguyen Thanh Tung, Chairman of the Bu Dang Commune People's Committee, said the commune currently has 4,600 hectares of cashew, with about 3,100 hectares intercropped with other crops. In particular, the cocoa intercropping model in cashew gardens has delivered outstanding economic returns. Under this model, not only do cocoa trees yield well, but caring for cocoa also helps raise cashew productivity, contributing to higher incomes for farmers. Therefore, the locality is continuing to survey cashew-growing areas and formulate plans to support farmers, especially ethnic minorities, in expanding the cocoa intercropping model in cashew gardens.

Moving toward a circular development model

Dong Nai is not only expanding cocoa cultivation but also pioneering a shift toward a sustainable, transparent, and low-emission industry with higher added value.

Cocoa production in Vietnam largely follows UTZ Certified standards, a global certification program for sustainable farming of crops such as coffee, cocoa, and tea. To date, nearly 400 hectares of cocoa nationwide have achieved UTZ certification. Among these, Dong Nai is the leading locality with the largest UTZ-certified cocoa area in the country, exceeding 200 hectares.

Regarding the cooperation between Dong Nai province and Japanese businesses in implementing the Project on Cocoa Pod Husk Processing for Biochar Production towards a Circular Agriculture Model, Provincial Party Committee member, Vice Chairwoman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Thi Hoang emphasized: In the field of agriculture, Japan not only shares financial resources and advanced technology but also inspires a mindset of sustainable development, quality standards, and environmental responsibility. The cooperation program between Japanese enterprises and provincial enterprises implementing circular agriculture is a vivid testament to the realization of the medium and long-term vision for Vietnam-Japan agricultural cooperation in the 2025-2030 period.

Currently, the province has established six integrated cocoa value chains involving 464 households across 660 hectares. A standout example is the large-scale production and consumption linkage project led by Trong Duc Cocoa Co., Ltd. in Phu Hoa Commune. This project forms a closed-loop system from cultivation to processing.

The company has developed a range of deeply processed cocoa products that have earned Vietnam’s prestigious OCOP (One Commune One Product Program) 5-star certification and are exported to demanding markets.

In particular, Trong Duc Cocoa Company has signed a cooperation agreement with Japanese-invested Tromso Joint Stock Company to develop a cocoa husk processing project for biochar production, aimed at promoting a circular agriculture model, low-emission farming, and environmental protection. This project has attracted strong interest from Dong Nai province, which is committed to creating all favorable conditions for enterprises to put it into practice.

Dang Tuong Khanh, Director of Trong Duc Cocoa Co., Ltd., shared: The company and Tromso Joint Stock Company are cooperating in researching, developing, and applying biochar from cocoa husks. The project aims to improve productivity and quality, increase farmers’ incomes, and promote a circular agriculture model with reduced emissions.

By Binh Nguyen – Translated by Mai Nga, Minho