Unseasonal rains and the bitter cold spell in recent days may result in an outbreak of disease for cashew nut plants in Binh Phuoc province, which is dubbed Vietnam’s cashew capital. As at this time of year cashew nuts are in bloom, local farmers have been burning the candle at both ends to prevent such diseases from affecting their crops.

Last year, Hoang Van Thang’s 3-hectare cashew garden in Tien Thanh ward, Dong Xoai city, Binh Phuoc province became exposed to various diseases and pests, forcing him to exert extra care. Despite the garden’s recovery, extreme weather events in late 2018 have somewhat adversely impacted his garden yet again. Vu Ba Trung in Thuan Phu commune, Dong Phu district has invested a hefty sum on his 1.5-hectare cashew garden. He had previously expected that 1 million tonnes of cashew nuts would be harvested until stink bugs brutally attacked his garden for a whole month. Cashew nut growers in Binh Phuoc province have been adopting measures recommended by the provincial authorities in a bid to respond to the impacts of climate change, including spraying pesticides and the careful monitoring of their gardens. –VNA