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the decline in area thanks to increased productivity, the Vietnam Cashew Association surveyed a number of places in Cambodia bordering Vietnam and found that the climate and soil were suitable for the growth of cashew trees similar to the Southeast region - the key area of Vietnam's raw cashew nuts. VINACAS coordinated with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Cambodia and the enterprises of this country to build a raw material area with 1 million tons of raw cashew nuts in the country of Tower Temple. Specifically, Cambodia side cooperated to plant 500,000haofcashew,VINACASand Vietnam cashew processing enterprises committed to buy the entire volume of raw cashew harvestedbyCambodiaside.

From 2014 and earlier, Cambodia only sold about 30% of cashew nut output to Vietnam, but for thepastyearsithasincreasedtomore than 90% and has become the leading supplier of raw cashew nuts in Vietnam. Cambodia is one of the few countries that produces raw cashew with good quality and the Ministry of Agriculture,ForestryandFisheriesof Cambodia is very interested in cashew growing to improve the lives of farmers. At the peak period, the cashew growing area in Cambodia was up to 300,000 ha, but due to unstable raw cashew prices and weak production organization, the area decreased to more than 100,000 ha. This country wished to received support from VINACAS in selection of varieties, cultivation techniques, harvesting and preservation techniques in order to increase the yield and quality of cashew as well as ensure profits for cashew farmers. With the potential of climate, soil and varieties, if there is good coordination and organization, Cambodia can produce 1 million tons of raw cashew, surpassing Ivory Coast, becoming the world's largest producer of raw cashew. In addition, VINACAS also said that the South of Laos, a neighboring country adjacent to Vietnam and Cambodia, was also a potential area for expanding thew materialcashewgrowingarea.

The predecessors had a saying "Selling relatives at distant places, buying neighbors nearly". This proverb is suitable for the current situation of importing raw cashew nuts. Cambodia has a concentrated raw material area, and Vietnam has strength in processing equipment and technology. The transport distance is very close. Experience shows that not being too dependent on markets or raw materials from a certain country or region will help reduce potential risks. In addition, the consolidation of the domestic raw material area will help solve the basic supply of processed materials - the key weakness of the Vietnam cashew industry.

Mr. Nguyen Van Thoaformer Vice Chairman of People's Committee of Binh Phuoc Province, and many experts such as Dr. Hoang Quoc Tuan, Engineer Pham Van Dau all commented that if the scheme of cooperation in cashew growing and raw material procurement with Cambodia was well implemented, it would be very effective for both sides. Their side may take advantage of the vacant land fund, contributing to converting ineffective cassava to more sustainable cashew trees. Cooperation with Vietnam helps Cambodia improve the quality and yield of cashew, reduce post-harvest losses, especially have a stable consumption market. For Vietnam, there will be about 1 million tons of raw materials per year to meet the processing needs of factories; In the long term, gradually reduce dependence on raw materials from Africa.