This figure is 30% higher than farms not implementing the model (net profit on farms not using the sustainable durian farming model reached about 1 billion VND/ha).

This information was shared at an event summarizing the effectiveness of the "High-quality, large-scale model durian intensive farming" model, co-organized by the Lam Dong Province Agricultural Extension Center and Bayer Vietnam Co., Ltd. (Bayer) on the morning of 11/7 at the farm of farmer Doan Van Thanh, in Quang Tin commune, Lam Dong province (formerly Dak R'lap district, Dak Nong province). More than 150 durian farmers, representatives of provincial agricultural extension centers, local government leaders, and technology partners shared practical experiences in sustainable durian farming practices at the event.

The event attracted more than 150 large-scale durian farmers in Lam Dong province. Photo: Minh Minh

The event attracted more than 150 large-scale durian farmers in Lam Dong province. Photo: Minh Minh

Doan Van Thanh shared that thanks to technical support from the program, his family has applied the solutions to their farming and achieved positive results after one year. The trees are growing stronger, the foliage is greener, and the fruit is noticeably more attractive than before.

According to a report from agricultural extension officers, after nearly one year of implementation, the farm's yield reached an average of 30 tons/ha, about 10% higher than the control farm, with the rate of grade 1 fruit exceeding 85%. With a stable wholesale price of 65,000 VND/kg, this model brings net profits far exceeding the profits from farms not applying the model.

The model not only recorded effectiveness in yield and quality but also contributed to shaping a sustainable direction for the local durian industry. The model applies safe pesticide solutions, helping farmers shift from the habit of spontaneous pesticide use to practicing according to the "4 Rights" and "5 Golden Rules" principles. Using pesticides according to the growth cycle and developmental stages of the trees, as well as pest infestations, helps improve control efficiency and limit pesticide resistance. At the same time, the model contributes to raising awareness of health and environmental protection through the provision of protective equipment and the collection of packaging after use. With a sustainable regenerative agriculture orientation, the model has helped control pesticide residues, limit pollution, and create ecological balance for the production area.

Durian fruit in the garden applies a sustainable farming model. Photo: Minh Minh

Durian fruit in the garden applies a sustainable farming model. Photo: Minh Minh

Starting from the "Sustainable Durian Farming" program in the 2023-2024 period, the 2024-2025 model is being implemented on a larger scale, with the participation of 10 farming households and a total area of over 300 ha. This is part of the Better Life Farming initiative initiated by Bayer globally, aiming to support durian and coffee farmers - two key crops in the Central Highlands. The project's goal is not only to improve productivity but also to help farmers access modern, environmentally friendly farming techniques and meet the increasingly stringent requirements of the export market.

The project has transferred sustainable and economically effective durian farming techniques on a large scale, while promoting the application of scientific and technological advances in the farming process to increase productivity and improve durian fruit quality. One of the important objectives of the model is to build standard farming processes suitable for the locality, thereby forming the basis for expanding the registration of planting area codes, which is also a mandatory factor to promote official export activities. In parallel, the program focuses on raising farmers' awareness of the safe and responsible use of pesticides, aiming to protect the health of growers and the living environment.

Trinh Ngoc Viet Anh, Director of Digital Technology at Bayer Vietnam, said that compared to last year, this year's model is more modern as it has integrated several prominent technologies. Notably, there is the irrigation system combined with fertilizer and pesticides - a solution that helps optimize resources, reduce labor, and improve farming efficiency. Technical staff from Bayer and the Agricultural Extension Center closely monitor each farm, guiding farmers in pest and nutrient management, and maintaining a stable farm ecology. At the same time, the project expands the real-time weather warning system, helping farmers proactively respond promptly in the context of increasingly unstable weather due to climate change.

In addition, the project also promotes technical consulting activities through digital platforms to spread knowledge quickly and effectively to a large number of farmers.

In particular, some large farms in the model are also advised and supported to connect with partners to build planting area codes, paving the way for official durian export activities in the coming time.

Real-time weather warnings on the app help farmers respond promptly in the face of increasingly unstable weather due to climate change. Photo: Minh Minh

Real-time weather warnings on the app help farmers respond promptly in the face of increasingly unstable weather due to climate change. Photo: Minh Minh

Nguyen Van Chuong, a representative of the Lam Dong Province Agricultural Extension Center, said that during the implementation of the model, one of the biggest challenges was changing the traditional farming practices of farmers. However, with the support of technical staff from the Agricultural Extension Center and Bayer, households have gradually approached modern and sustainable farming methods. Practical results show that pest and disease control efficiency is improved, fruit quality is more uniform, and pesticide residues are well controlled, meeting export standards.

The implementation of the model durian intensive farming model at a time when the export market is increasingly tightening quality standards is considered by experts to be a step in the right direction. This is an important premise to help the local durian industry standardize farming processes, expand planting area codes, and gradually improve its position in the international market.

Applying a sustainable farming model contributes to the successful management of pests. Photo: Minh Minh

Applying a sustainable farming model contributes to the successful management of pests. Photo: Minh Minh

In the coming time, Bayer plans to continue to strengthen cooperation with the Agricultural Extension Center, expand the model to other key growing areas, and move towards building standard durian material areas to serve a sustainable export strategy.

Hoang Anh