Durian is rapidly emerging as a flagship agricultural product of Dak Lak. To improve quality and meet export standards, the adoption of modern technologies, from cultivation to traceability, is opening up novel opportunities to enhance the product value as well as competitiveness.

Technology adoption is no longer confined to large enterprises. It is increasingly expanding among cooperatives coupled with small and medium-sized farming households through drip alongside automated sprinkler irrigation systems integrated with soil moisture sensors, QR code-based product traceability, planting area codes, together with digital orchard management solutions.

Krong Pac Clean Agriculture Services Cooperative, located in Krong Pac commune, ranks among the pioneers in adopting science and technology for durian cultivation. According to Mr. Mai Dinh Tho, Chairman of the cooperative's Board of Directors, QR codes have been attached to every durian tree, enabling buyers to verify varieties, cultivation and care process, coupled with certification standards. It has also piloted the Enfarm soil nutrient monitoring device and the AIGU Smart Farm solution, two innovative technologies designed to optimise orchard management.

Mr. Mai Dinh Tho instructing farmers on durian cultivation techniques.

Buon Ho ward currently has 1,761 hectares of durian within its 1,800 hectares of fruit-growing land. To maximise the crop's potential, local authorities have strengthened production planning while guiding and supporting farming households together with cooperatives in applying technology to production, gradually shifting from fragmented cultivation towards value chain-based production.

Mr. Bui Thanh Huynh, Director of Buon Ho Agricultural Cooperative, said the cooperative manages more than 15 hectares of durian, with 11 farming households granted planting area codes approved for exports to China. Since joining the system, farmers have actively implemented technical requirements, including maintaining production records, controlling agricultural inputs, complying with plant quarantine alongside food safety regulations while applying automated irrigation coupled with fertilisation systems to produce export-quality durian with higher commercial value.

To date, Buon Ho ward has been granted nine durian planting area codes covering nearly 145 hectares, with the participation of 136 farming households. The ward People's Committee is also working closely with enterprises, cooperatives along with cooperative groups to support farmers in completing procedures for planting area codes covering nearly 800 additional hectares of durian. Simultaneously, the locality is gradually implementing digital traceability through separate QR code for avocado along with durian, developed by Buon Ho Agricultural Cooperative.

Frozen durian segments being prepared for export at Ban Me Green Farm JSC

According to Mr. Nguyen Quoc Cuong, Head of the Economic, Infrastructure and Urban Division of Buon Ho ward, technology not only improves productivity alongside quality but also enables agricultural products to satisfy export market requirements, making it a decisive factor in enhancing the competitiveness of Dak Lak durian.

With coordinated efforts from local authorities, cooperatives alongside farmers, durian production is steadily shifting towards a modern and professional model, establishing a solid foundation for sustainable development as well as deeper integration into international markets.

Box: Dak Lak province currently has 280 approved planting areas covering 7,500 hectares, together with 42 approved export packing facilities for durian. In addition, applications for 165 planting areas covering 4,915 hectares and 66 packing facilities remain under review. Once approved, the total area covered by planting area codes will reach 41.7% of the provincial productive durian cultivation area.

Translated by KHUONG THAO