Growing durian using digital technology

Farmers of the Da Huoai Durian Union - Da M'ri Agricultural Cooperative, Da Huoai 2 commune, one of the largest durian growing units, are implementing a new farming technique: monitoring cultivation using high-tech measuring devices.

Báo Lâm Đồng•27/05/2026

Guide farmers on checking soil indices.

Healthy soil, strong plants.

“For durian trees or any other crop, ensuring the right amount of fertilizer, the right pH level, and good soil parameters will help the root system function effectively, the tree grow quickly and healthily, and flower and bear fruit on schedule. Soil is fundamental for good crop growth,” assessed Mr. Le Quang Thuyen - Deputy Technical Director of Da M'ri Agricultural Cooperative.

According to Mr. Le Quang Thuyen, durian growers have always paid close attention to soil quality. They strictly adhere to using high-quality fertilizers, applying proper techniques, and irrigating according to instructions. However, even the most experienced farmers can only assess soil quality, water levels, and fertilizer levels through observation and experience, which is not entirely accurate. Therefore, we are experimenting with a digital technology- based durian orchard management model.

On his family's fruiting durian orchard, Mr. Vu Hong Danh, a member of the Durian Farmers' Union, said he is using machinery to check for diseases, the growth cycle of the trees and fruits, as well as soil quality. While taking pictures of durians and sending them to a specialized technical app, he said: "Just take a picture and send it to the app, and technical staff will examine and diagnose the health of the tree, the state of diseases, and guide us on how to treat them. Therefore, we farmers find it very convenient, and the feedback is very quick and accurate."

Besides taking pictures of the plants to monitor diseases, Mr. Le Quang Thuyen also uses a special sensor placed in many locations in the garden. Within minutes, the sensor reports soil parameters such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels, moisture, soil temperature, and pH to his phone and app. These parameters are directly reported to the central system and analyzed immediately, sending feedback to farmers and recommending treatment techniques. “The sensor measures very accurately whether the soil has excess or insufficient nitrogen, whether the pH is high or low, whether there is too much or too little irrigation water… it transmits the data to the central system, and then instructions for improvement are sent to the garden owner. The figures are very accurate, specific, clearly quantified, and the recommended techniques are very effective,” Mr. Thuyen assessed.

Improve quality to expand the market.

“We have determined that the cooperative’s durian production is primarily for export, so we must apply modern techniques to improve the quality of the durian fruit. Digital technology is a new direction for Da M’ri,” said Mr. Nguyen Thanh Son, Director of the cooperative.

According to Mr. Nguyen Thanh Son, farmers need to change their production mindset if they want sustainable durian exports. They shouldn't just rely on experience but also familiarize themselves with digital technology and use automated machinery to manage their orchards. Currently, the technical group of the Da M'ri Cooperative has 140 orchard owner accounts. Every change to each durian tree is photographed and videoed by farmers, and sent to the group for close monitoring and appropriate action. Sharing information through social media helps farmers access technology very quickly. In addition, members of the cooperative also manage the origin of durian fruit through QR codes. The durian variety, fertilization methods, watering duration, harvesting date, and origin of the farmer's orchard are digitized via QR codes, allowing customers to quickly access information through the QR code attached to the fruit stem.

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/canh-tac-sau-rieng-bang-cong-nghe-so-444022.html