Vietnam unveils new initiative to support cashew farmers, promote sustainable growth

The 'Livelihoods under the Cashew Canopy' project seeks to reposition Dong Nai cashew as a national brand, linking them with green livelihoods and raising farmers’ incomes by 30 percent.

Launched on Friday, the project is run by the Vietnam Food Bank Network in collaboration with the Dong Nai Farmers’ Union, the Ho Chi Minh City Association for Nature and Environment Protection, and Gia Bao Group.

Its goal is to build a green economic ecosystem spanning cashew orchards, processing, and trade, while fostering a sustainable livelihood community resilient to climate change.

Farmers’ incomes remain low

Vietnam is currently the world’s largest cashew exporter, with annual export revenues of US$4.5 billion.

However, according to Nguyen Tuan Khoi, chairman of the Vietnam Food Bank Network, most exports are raw cashews, leaving farmers with low and unstable incomes.

For Dong Nai, cashews are a signature crop aligned with both local and national priorities for green agriculture and a circular economy. 

The project connects orchards, processing facilities, and commercialization into a closed-loop green economic ecosystem.

The model enables farmers not only to sustainably harvest cashew nuts but also to diversify livelihoods under the cashew canopy through intercropping, community-based tourism, and the promotion of local cultural identity.

Its core mission is to raise incomes, improve living standards, and strengthen climate resilience.

Regenerative farming, intercropping, and by-product utilization improve soil quality, maintain biodiversity while reducing the abandonment of aging cashew orchards.

A circular economy built on cashew production both increases value and generates jobs.

Building a national cashew brand

In the next one to two years, the project will pilot two to three livelihood models, including intercropping mushrooms, peanuts, and medicinal herbs, as well as free-range livestock farming.

Core farmer groups and cooperatives will be established to operate these models and test product marketing.

In the medium term (three to five years), the project plans to scale up across major cashew-growing areas, completing the value chain from production to processing and consumption.

A regional brand, 'Agricultural Products under the Vietnam Cashew Canopy,' will also be developed to highlight the advantages of green livelihoods.

The long-term vision (five to ten years) is to secure geographical indications for cashew-based products, integrate ecotourism and local cultural experiences, and ultimately establish a nationwide sustainable livelihood community under the cashew canopy.

Specific goals include: increasing farmers’ incomes by 30 percent; ensuring 70 percent of participating cooperatives achieve sustainable agriculture certification; and having at least five products from the models reach the 3-4 star OCOP (One Commune, One Product) standard.