260
Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development
CARD Project Progress Report
037/05VIE
Establish nurseries and training to effectively
propagate high quality trees and trial plantation
models of Macadamia in 3 provinces
of North Vietnam
MS2: FIRST SIX-MONTHLY REPORT
August 2006
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1. Institute Information
Project Name Establish nurseries and training to
effectively propagate high quality trees
and trial plantation models of
Macadamia in 3 provinces of North
Vietnam
Vietnamese Institution Center for Environment, Tourism and
Development (CETD),
Vietnamese Project Team Leader Prof Hoang Hoe
Australian Organisation Subtropical Farm Forestry Association
Australian Personnel Martin Novak, Kim Wilson
Date commenced 10 January 2006
Completion date (original) 10 January 2009
Completion date (revised)
Reporting period First 6 months
Contact Officer(s)
In Australia: Team Leader
Name: Martin Novak Telephone: 61 2 66895027
Position: President Fax: 61 2 66895227
Organisation Subtropical Farm Forestry
Association
Email: martin@macanuts.com
In Australia: Administrative contact
Name: Valda Mitchell Telephone: 61 2 66284372
Position: Administrative Officer Fax: 61 2 66284386
Organisation Subtropical Farm Forestry
Association
Email: sffa@ceinternet.com.au
In Vietnam
Name: Hoang Hoe Telephone: 04 8642670, 04
7560233
Position: Director Fax: 04 7560233
Organisation CETD Email: hoanghoe@fpt.vn
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2. Project Abstract
This project has commenced to establish a new Macadamia nursery and enhance three existing nurseries.
Also 3 variety trials of Macadamias have been designed, of about 1 ha each involving 14 suitable
Macadamias varieties, in 3 provinces of north Vietnam. Training has been conducted in aspects of
propagation, grafting, site design and preparation, planting, maintenance and plantation management. This
has included the distribution of CD, DVD and powerpoint presentations as well as hands on training.
A study tour to China was undertaken covering all the major nurseries and some key plantations in southern
China. Reports of this tour including photos and a DVD video have been presented to the key stakeholders
in Vietnam and Australia.
A select group of small holder farmers have been chosen to be involved with project activities in the
provinces of Lang Son, Ha Tay, Hoa Binh provinces. In lead-up activities to the project a minimum of 100-
500 ha in each of the above provinces has been identified as suitable for commercial Macadamia.
The principal organisations involved in the project is the Subtropical Farm Forestry Association and its
Vietnamese partner, is the Centre for Environment Tourism and Development. 12 collaborating
organizations include MARD, RCFTI, AMS, CSIRO, RIFA, SCU, FSI, RIFV. National and Provincial
Extension agency staff are involved at all aspects of the project, particularly with the training courses. The
project compliments MARD’s policy of farmer support in the planting of Macadamias.
3. Executive Summary
The project commenced in January 2006 with a number of meetings and design
workshops both in Vietnam and Australia. This led up to the Macadamia study tour of
China and the Australian teams (Martin Novak SFFA President and Kim Wilson
AMS Vice President) visit to Vietnam during which scion wood and samples of
nursery equipment were delivered, the first stakeholders introductory training sessions
in the Vietnamese nurseries and trial sites were conducted.
The Australian visit concluded with a formal seminar in Hanoi focusing on the role of
the participants, the findings of the China study tour, reports of the delivery of
Australian scion wood and samples of nursery equipment. It also included reports on
training delivered and the design of the trials. Kim Wilson also reported on the role of
the Australian Macadamia Society and recommended something similar be
established in Vietnam. CDs and DVDs of the proceedings, prior activities and
recommendations were presented to all the participants.
During the Australian teams visit approximately 1000 pieces of Australian scion wood
was delivered in March and distributed to the 3 existing nurseries. This introduced a
number of new promising Australian varieties including 816, 842, 849, A4, A32 as
well as varieties that were already present in some nurseries including 246, 741, and
344. Nursery equipment, which is new to Vietnam, was also presented to the
nurseries. This included grafting hand-planes and florist grafting tape. A number of
Australian Macadamia publications not previously known in Vietnam were also
delivered. A DVD Video and Comprehensive photos on CD of Australian and
Vietnamese grafting and propagation techniques and nursery design were presented to
technicians and other participants. This expanded on the delivery of seed and scion
wood and information presented in a similar manner by Martin Novak during visits to
Vietnam in 2005 and 2004.
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4. Introduction & Background
The following are the project objectives:
Objective1 - Bring all the stakeholders together to work toward a sustainable high
value Macadamia industry for Vietnam.
Several preliminary meetings were held both in Vietnam and Australia with
Collaborators. The China Study Tour involved 11 representatives of private
companies, government and NGOs. A project introductory seminar in Hanoi involved
28 stakeholder representatives of government, private companies and NGOs at which
the project objectives were outlined and the role of the key stakeholders was proposed
and discussed. The Australian team visited all 3 existing nurseries and trial sites at
which the first of the participatory training sessions were conducted. The site of the
new nursery and trail site was also visited and assessed for its potential and role in the
project.
Objective 2 - Strengthen the capacity of 3 existing nurseries.
The first of the training sessions was delivered at each nursery along with scion wood,
samples of nursery equipment and demonstration DVD’s and CD’s
Objective 3 - Establish a new model nursery to demonstrate Australian nursery
practice. To provide opportunity for investment and to ensure adequate supply of
stock.
The new nursery site was visited and accessed. Preliminary design plans were drawn
up.
Objective 4 - Trial at least 10 varieties of Macadamia in 3 difference provinces Ba vi,
Hoa binh and Lang son of Vietnam.
Australian scion wood was delivered to the 3 existing nurseries including the
following varieties. 246, 344, 741, 814, 816, 842, 849, A4, A16, A38. A further 4
Chinese varieties were selected for the trials including OC, 695, 788, Guy Yen 1.
These were available in the existing nurseries.
Objective 5 - Undertake a fact finding study tour of South China. 10-12 key project
participants, including trainers and researchers.
13 were selected and 11 attended the tour visiting all 4 provinces growing
Macadamia. They included Prof. Hoang Hoe (CETD), Mr Nguyen Huu Quang, (
VIFA), Mr cong Tan (VARISME) Mr. Dang van Xuan ( Yen Thuy District
Chairman), Dr. Nguyen Duc Son (Managing Director A Chau JST Co.) Mr. Nguyen
Duc Nhan Vice Director ( A Chau JST Co.), Mr Hoang Phuc ( Managing Director,
Long Phuong Co), Mr Martin Novak (Australian Team Leader SFFA), Kim Wilson (
Managing Director Gray Plantations), Mr Nguyen Huu Loc (Tour organisor) Dr. Chen
Xian Guo (Prof. Subtropical Agricultural Institute of Guangxi China)
Objective 6 - Assess Macadamia developments in Thailand. Project leaders to
undertake the assessment.
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This visit is scheduled for October
Objective 7 - Undertake participatory training for technicians, extension officers,
nursery staff and workers, farmers and farm workers.
The first sessions were completed during the first Australian Team visit in March/
April as planned. This included a general session in Hanoi and specific hands on
sessions at each of the 3 existing nurseries and a briefing at the new nursery site in
Yen Thuy.
Objective 8 - Support the formalisation of a Macadamia industry network. Based on
the successful Australian model (AMS) and other models in Vietnam and elsewhere.
A formal presentation relating to the role of the AMS was made by Kim Wilson (
Vice President AMS) to Stakeholders and members of the Macca Club. Following this
informal discussions were held regarding the evolution of the network based around
the Macca Club and those involved in this project. Most stakeholders support the idea
of the Club evolving (the inclusion of most stakeholders) to a Vietnam Macadamia
Society or the like.
Objective 9 - Assist and share information, experience and data with existing
Macadamia researchers in Vietnam in particular with FSI and Dr Kha.
The FSI Nursery was visited by the Australian Team and Vietnam Team Leader.
Meetings were held with Dr Kha and Dr Thinh. The Role of FSI was discussed and
agreed upon in general however specific activities are to be reviewed by all as the
project progresses.
Objective 10 - Collect data for existing and new trial plots and nurseries and
undertake evaluation and analysis.
Some preliminary information has been exchanged with existing nurseries and in
particular with FSI and Dr Kha, based on data, to date from propagation and grafting
of seed and scion delivered by the Australian team over the past 2 years and during
the March /April 06 visit. Also based on seed and scion wood sourced from China.
Some information has been obtained from existing nurseries and growers on plant
survival, growth and early yield. Some of this information was gathered from China
also. Preliminary analysis has been made and 4 Chinese varieties have been select for
the trials as a result of this information. (OC, 695, 788, Guy Yen 1)
Objective 11 - Inform stakeholders and others and promote the objectives of the
project specifically and the benefits of a Macadamia industry generally.
An introduction to the project was presented at the Project Introductory Seminar
attended by most (22) of the stakeholders.
A Newsletter is being prepared. This will be distributed amongst all the known
stakeholders and collaborators.
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