Dong Thap: Science and technology go hand in hand, boosting the durian industry.

TECHNICAL STANDARDIZATION

In My Loi commune, a key durian-growing area of the province, tree care has gone beyond the scope of traditional experience.

Durian, a crop that brings high economic value, has helped many farmers in Dong Thap province develop their economy and become relatively wealthy.

Mr. Le Van Hung, who has been involved with durian cultivation for over 10 years, shared: "High mounds have stronger roots, making it easier to flower, allowing the soil to dry quickly after rain, and resulting in better fruit setting. But if the soil is too wet, all the fruit will fall off." This concise statement reflects the combination of practical knowledge and stringent technical requirements.

While modern knowledge helps standardize and strengthen technical elements, farmers' experience brings subtlety to the care of each plot of land, each root system…

This synergy has driven a shift in production mindset: from small-scale to standardized production with planting area codes, application of VietGAP and GlobalGAP standards, and business linkages aimed at sustainable export.

Currently, My Loi commune has 150 hectares with 110 households granted planting area codes; the total durian area reaches over 2,300 hectares, becoming one of the largest raw material areas in the province.

The large area dedicated to durian cultivation presents both advantages and challenges, as it faces numerous risks in farming: leaf blight, root rot, cadmium contamination, and stricter standards from importing markets. This necessitates that science and technology stay ahead, creating a technical "buffer" to protect production achievements and ensure sustainable development.

Recognizing its fundamental role, the provincial science and technology sector proactively engaged from a very early stage, implementing many key tasks to form a highly applicable "standard technical framework".

Typical solutions include: developing IPM processes to reduce chemical use, improving drainage systems and soil, applying AM mycorrhizal fungi to restore root systems under extreme weather conditions, and standardizing quality processes according to VietGAP, GlobalGAP, etc.

These results have built confidence, encouraging farmers and businesses to boldly expand production in a professional, safe, and sustainable manner.

DEEP PROCESSING - A STRATEGIC SOLUTION

Although Dong Thap province has a large area dedicated to durian cultivation, it still faces a persistent "common bottleneck": excessive reliance on fresh durian exports. This leaves businesses vulnerable to market fluctuations and places significant pressure on preservation.

With a total durian cultivation area of over 30,000 hectares, Dong Thap is one of the localities with the largest durian farming area in the Mekong Delta region.
Photo: Duy Nhựt

Based on this reality, deep processing has been identified as a strategic solution, helping to both increase the added value of the product and create stability and sustainability for the durian export market.

Minh Thien Agricultural Products Co., Ltd. is a prime example of transformation, placing deep processing at the center of its operations.

Previously, businesses primarily exported fresh durian, creating numerous obstacles in consumption and preservation, leaving them vulnerable. To overcome this bottleneck, Minh Thien Agricultural Products Co., Ltd. collaborated closely with the Department of Science and Technology (S&T) and actively participated in the pilot production project "Improving technological processes and building production models for some durian-based products in Tien Giang province (formerly)".

The project has established a solid scientific and technical foundation and successfully standardized many key technological processes.

These include notable solutions such as: freezing peeled durian to extend shelf life, freeze-drying durian to create premium products, and especially the process of producing organic fertilizer substrate from durian peels to utilize by-products.

The synchronized application of processes and equipment models for processing and preservation has helped Minh Thien Agricultural Products Co., Ltd. diversify its products and improve economic efficiency.

This is a pioneering step, contributing to the formation of a sustainable durian value chain and providing stable income for farmers in the region.

HARNESSING THE POWER OF THE "FOUR-SECTOR" LINKAGE

In production, pests are a challenge, but in exports, cadmium and chemical residues are the biggest concerns. Just one alerted shipment can affect an entire raw material region.

Many businesses in Dong Thap are now stepping up the application of science and technology in processing and preserving durian after harvest, helping to increase its value. Photo: Minh Thanh

To address the root cause, the Southern Fruit Research Institute, in collaboration with Dong Thap province, is conducting research on the application of microorganisms and plants to decompose cadmium in the soil.

According to Dr. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Truc, Head of the Agronomy Department at the Southern Fruit Research Institute, the Institute is isolating microbial strains from durian orchard soil, combining them with mustard greens, mint, and biochar to reduce heavy metal pollution.

Besides good production processes, the industry needs a strong infrastructure for testing, logistics, and post-harvest supply chain management.

The previous incident in Dak Lak where 2,000 containers of durian were stuck due to a temporary suspension of laboratory operations is a costly lesson. Ms. Nguyen Thi Yen, from Song Toan Phat Co., Ltd., expressed: “When the testing laboratory is overloaded, businesses cannot export goods even though they have already purchased them. We urgently need the authorities to support connecting the lab so that cadmium testing can proceed smoothly.”

Recognizing the challenges, the Department of Science and Technology of Dong Thap province has proactively implemented a comprehensive set of solutions that are "one step ahead".

Dr. Le Quang Khoi, Director of the Department of Science and Technology of Dong Thap province, emphasized: “Currently, the biggest challenge for the durian industry lies not only in the technical process but also in strictly controlling pesticide residues and heavy metal content in the product. These are the decisive factors in meeting the technical standards of the export market.”

In response to this need, the Department of Science and Technology proactively collaborated with research institutes, universities, and leading experts to develop, refine, and standardize durian cultivation processes towards safety, reduced chemical use, increased application of biological methods, and integrated pest management.

Simultaneously, we instructed the Center for Research and Application of Science and Technology to expedite the completion of the dossier to be designated as a facility for testing pesticide residues and heavy metals in agricultural products, thereby helping businesses and cooperatives proactively control risks and better meet export requirements.”

For Dong Thap to become the durian production center of the region, it requires not only a large area but, more importantly, close cooperation among the "four stakeholders": farmers, scientists, businesses, and the government, with science and technology playing a catalytic and guiding role.

It is evident that science and technology have been shaping a new chapter in the development of Dong Thap's durian industry. From standardizing techniques, reducing pests and diseases, treating heavy metals, to promoting deep processing and circular agriculture, each task contributes to building a sustainable foundation for farmers, cooperatives, and businesses to confidently enter the global market.

When the "four stakeholders" (farmers, scientists, businesses, government, and scientists) work together, share responsibilities, and act in unison, Dong Thap durian not only overcomes challenges but can also reach further, becoming a symbol of high-value, sustainable, and modern agriculture, affirming the new position of the "Land of Lotus" on the global agricultural map.

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