Facing growing climate challenges, together with the support of all levels of government, Dak Lak provincial farmers have gradually changed their mindset, proactively shifting towards green alongside sustainable agriculture.

On his 1.3-hectare durian orchard in Ea M’droh commune, Mr. Nguyen Son Truong invested in an automatic drip irrigation system, combined with the digital orchard management. The entire process, from watering coupled with fertilizing to monitoring pests and diseases, is operated on a single system, supported by weather data along with smart devices. Mr. Truong said that since applying the automatic irrigation system, all processes are set according to each tree-growth stage. This year, his durian orchard is entering its first harvest season, with an expected yield of approximately 5 tons.

To cope with climate change, multiple farmers have changed their thought, proactively moving towards green alongside sustainable agricultural production. At the workshop “Dak Lak farmers’ environmental protection, climate-change adaptation” recently organized by the Provincial Farmers’ Association, experts, scientists, in coordination with local farmers’ associations shared a wide range of practical solutions to help farmers proactively acclimate to increasingly extreme weather conditions. The focus was on transitioning from traditional production methods to green, organic, and circular agriculture; applying science, technology combined with digital transformation; adopting drought-tolerant, water-efficient crop varieties; consuming less chemical fertilizers and pesticides; while increasing added value together with achieve sustainable development.

The model of green, environmentally friendly durian cultivation by Mr. Nguyen Son Truong.

Ms. Le Thi Phien, Vice President of the Tuy Hoa Ward Farmers’ Association, shared that beyond  farming technique transformation, climate-change adaptation needs to change production mindsets, shifting from the goal of increasing yield to improving quality, from resource exploitation towards efficient resource use, as well as developing along the value chain.

Opinions at the workshop also suggested strengthening the linkages among management agencies, scientists, businesses, together with associations in researching, transferring science and technology, combined with replicating effective production models.

According to PPC Vice Chairman, comrade Nguyen Thien Van, environmental protection along with climate change adaptation are long-term priorities, requiring the participation across the entire political system coupled with society. Achieving sustainable agriculture, farmers need to continue changing their perceptions as well as promote applying environmentally friendly farming solutions, including water-saving irrigation, rational fertilizer use, increasing organic fertilizer utilization, together with protecting soil and water resources.

Translated by TRINH THUY