Vietnam's 'Green Bamboo' Cultivation Yields High Returns, Adapting to Climate Change

In Vietnam's central Quang Trị province, the cultivation of 'luc truc' bamboo, spearheaded by Ms. Lê Thị Lan Hương, is bringing new possibilities to regional agriculture. After three years of experimental cultivation, Hương is projected to earn approximately VND 500 million (around $20,000 USD) per hectare annually from luc truc, a crop gaining attention as a high-yield investment. This is seen as a sustainable agricultural model resilient to climate change, an alternative to traditional rubber and acacia farming. Hương transitioned her nearly 2 hectares of rubber plantations, which had suffered repeated typhoon damage, to luc truc cultivation due to its superior weather resistance and high market demand. This Taiwanese-origin variety thrives in harsh climates and carries a lower risk of pests and diseases. Despite initial difficulties in seedling propagation, she established a stable production system through the implementation of an automatic irrigation system, organic fertilizer application, and precise harvesting timing. The harvested luc truc bamboo shoots are white, thick, and tender, as they are harvested underground. Averaging 3-6 shoots per kilogram, they are highly valued in the market for their texture and sweetness. Currently, Hương's 1.8-hectare bamboo grove provides regular employment for five workers, with monthly incomes ranging from VND 9-10 million (around $370-$415 USD) per person. Furthermore, obtaining organic cultivation certification has enhanced the product's value and facilitated market expansion. Mr. Trần Thanh Hải, Director of the Quang Trị Provincial Agricultural Extension Center, commends Hương's model as an exemplary case of crop structure conversion, adaptation to climate change, and proactive disaster prevention. He notes that luc truc bamboo is well-suited for the province's hilly terrain due to its resistance to strong winds and drought, and its ability to help prevent soil erosion. He also indicates that it can yield approximately double the income of common bamboo varieties for shoots. In addition to selling fresh bamboo shoots, Hương also engages in the business of supplying luc truc seedlings, contributing to the revitalization of the local economy. She is confident that luc truc is a crop with sustainable development potential, well-suited for the hilly regions of central Vietnam. Currently, Hương is expanding her luc truc cultivation to an additional 27 hectares, marking this as the largest luc trúc bamboo cultivation project in Quang Trị province. Source: VnExpress