Lesson 2: Strict management of planting area codes is necessary.

Despite being the "king" of fruits, generating billions of dong in income for farmers, growers still face concerns about sustainable development. Meanwhile, relevant departments and agencies are urgently implementing solutions to create breakthroughs…

Durian cultivation area is increasing rapidly.

The worries remain.

In Lam Dong province , durian trees have two main harvest seasons: the main season from June to July for the Ri6 variety and local durian varieties; and the late season from August to October for Thai, Monthong, and Dona varieties. Currently, many durian orchards in Nam Thanh and La Da are preparing for the first harvest of the main season. Traders have begun sending representatives to the orchards to inspect the fruit, determine prices, and place deposits.

Mr. Nguyen Van Thuan, who owns more than 10 hectares of durian trees in La Da commune that are about to be harvested, said: “Last year, a company came to survey and create a zone code, and my family wanted to do it but couldn't. Just two days ago, traders came to inspect the orchards and said that prices are low this year. For orchards without zone codes, the price is even lower because they are worried about cadmium contamination, which would make them unsuitable for export. The domestic market is already saturated, so it's very difficult to sell.”

Meanwhile, Mr. Le Van Hai, head of the Doi Lo O Cooperative in Nam Thanh commune, is worried because the area code was registered three years ago, and the commune called him in 10 days ago to renew it. Mr. Hai expressed his concern: “The company registered the area code, but for several years we haven’t seen them buy durian from the seven members of the cooperative. And we don’t know which area the company is using the cooperative’s area code to grow durian?!”

In a discussion with us regarding area code management, an official from Nam Thanh commune stated: "The issuance of area codes is at the provincial level; the commune only acts as a 'bridge' and has not been granted the authority. Therefore, we cannot manage how businesses use these area codes. This makes it very easy for businesses to exploit legal loopholes to buy and sell area codes..."

Buying and selling durian directly from the orchard.

According to the Economic Department of Nam Thanh Commune, there are currently 10 durian growing area codes covering approximately 537 hectares (formerly Me Pu, Sung Nhon, and Da Kai) in Nam Thanh Commune, assigned to companies such as Thuy Duong, Hong Dao, Kien Sinh, Le Khoa, and Le Tinh. However, since the codes were issued, these companies have not contacted the farmers to purchase durian from the registered growers. Therefore, the Economic Department of Nam Thanh Commune recommends that these companies contact the farmers to establish a purchasing agreement for their produce.

Meanwhile, in Bao Lam 3 commune, efforts are focused on resolving difficulties related to the issuance of planting area codes. One of the main crops of the local people is durian, covering 1,441 hectares. The commune has 207.5 hectares that have been granted planting area codes for official durian export, with over 5,000 tons consumed through the supply chain and officially exported to the Chinese market, with an estimated value of 1,120 billion VND per year.

However, according to Mr. Hong Viet Trung, Chairman of the People's Committee of Bao Lam 3 commune, with the local durian cultivation area exceeding 1,400 hectares, the fact that only over 207 hectares have been granted new cultivation area codes is relatively low. The reason for this low rate of durian cultivation area code issuance is that durian is intercropped with other crops, and small-scale durian farmers have not yet joined cooperatives or associations. Currently, the commune is promoting production and consumption linkages along the value chain; increasing the area granted cultivation area codes for durian trees...

During durian harvest season in Lam Dong

Many solutions for sustainability

Currently, the Plant Protection and Crop Production Sub-department and local authorities are coordinating closely in the initial stages of issuing area codes. However, once the area codes are issued, businesses and units using them have full rights to use them. Some units have abused this by buying and selling area codes, or using area codes from one place to label goods from another. Furthermore, the commune level, the Plant Protection and Crop Production Sub-department, and even the people themselves have not been empowered to inspect and control the export routes of these area codes. Therefore, sanctions are needed for businesses using area codes improperly, and local authorities could be empowered to monitor and penalize violations.

Locals are introducing durian that already has a registered area code.

Recently, at the conference "Managing planting areas and packaging facilities to promote durian exports in the 2026 crop year in Lam Dong province" organized by the Department of Agriculture and Environment on June 25th, the Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment, Phan Nguyen Hoang Tan, stated: Commercial fraud, "borrowing codes," and "selling codes" remain pressing issues; the practice of buying up unregistered goods and using codes incorrectly poses systemic risks...

Ms. Ka Nền, Party Secretary and Head of Village 3, Lộc Nam, said that the villagers are very interested in participating in the durian growing area code program.

To ensure that the application of planting area codes truly becomes a foundation for trade promotion and sustainable development, and to guarantee compliance with the regulations in Government Decree No. 38, dated January 24, 2026, the agricultural sector has implemented numerous solutions to promote the expansion of code issuance combined with the development of value chains. Specifically, these include guiding planting area owners in completing the necessary paperwork and procedures for code issuance according to regulations; establishing consumption linkage contracts with businesses, with businesses participating in monitoring the production process from the beginning of the season; closely coordinating with local authorities at the commune and ward levels to review and establish planting area codes; supporting businesses in market promotion, providing market information and technical requirements of each importing country; and assisting businesses in completing the necessary paperwork for expanding codes when needed for export.

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Promoting the issuance of identification codes brings strategic value, encouraging farmers and cooperatives to transition from traditional farming to high-quality production standards; creating sustainable connections between businesses, cooperatives, and farmers to ensure
A stable supply and consistent quality will gradually enhance the position and reputation of Lam Dong durian in negotiating and signing large economic contracts with international partners, contributing to expanding markets and increasing sustainable export value...

Mr. Phan Nguyen Hoang Tan, Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment

Responding to a question from a reporter from Lam Dong Newspaper and Radio & Television: "What measures are being taken to monitor and ensure the proper implementation of planting area codes?", Mr. Ha Ngoc Chien, Head of the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection, stated: The first step is to standardize and digitize planting area data. We will apply GIS technology to update coordinate data, area, and yield. We will strengthen the integration of electronic traceability systems. We will enhance post-inspection, sampling for monitoring, and early warning systems. We will conduct periodic checks to ensure compliance with the regulations of importing countries regarding planting area codes. We will proactively take samples to monitor residues and pests directly from the planting areas to minimize violations. Moving towards "Net Zero" agriculture – changing the mindset about green agricultural production – is the key to sustainable and breakthrough agricultural exports...

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/bai-2-can-quan-ly-chat-ma-so-vung-trong-445528.html