Some characteristics of main agroforestry models in Thanh Hoa province

Abstract

Agroforestry models in the period from 2007 - 2012 in Thanh Hoa province is intercropping agricultural crops in the Acacia mangium plantations, with 2 main models are cassava and maize intercropped in Acacia mangium plantation. The crops such as cassava and maize are often grown on Acacia plantations in 1st and 2nd year. By the end of year 2012 the area of intercropping cassava and maize in Acacia plantation in Thanh Hoa about 3257.5ha, increase in 2079ha compared with year 2007, in which area of this intercropping system in 3 surveyed districts included Ha Trung district is 166.7ha, Thach Thanh district is 157.6ha and Nhu Xuan district is 1310.7ha. The survey results also showed that intercropping of agricultural crops such as cassava and maize on Acacia magium plantations has brought economic efficiency is relatively high for growers. Average net profit obtained per 1 ha in cycle 6 years with loan interest rate of 7.2% /year from cassava intercropping model reached 65,775,917VND and maize intercropping model is 66, 949, 411VND. The intercropping cassava and maize brought higher net profit compared with the model Acacia monoculture (no intercrop) from 22.3% to 24.5%. The consumption of products from main agroforestry models in Thanh Hoa is relatively favorable because there are companies, plant acquisition, processing these products in Thanh Hoa province and neighboring provinces. The products from the agroforestry models (including wood of Acacia, cassava, maize) is investigated in 3 districts of Ha Trung, Thach Thanh and Nhu Xuan currently being sold mainly to local traders. Then traders transported to the factories, processing units in the district, province or neighboring provinces for consumption. However, as well as other kinds of agricultural products, the consumption of products from agroforestry models in Thanh Hoa is still in unstable condition and price pressure has always been traders. This is the most important problem has a great impact on the survival and development of agroforestry in Thanh Hoa in particular and in Vietnam in general