Linking up to take durian further afield.

Durian brings high value to farmers, but market access is no longer a matter for individual households. Production and consumption linkages are opening up new avenues, helping this fruit to stand firm in the market and reach further markets.

Mr. Vo Van Kien (center), residing in Nam Chien hamlet, Giong Rieng commune, introduces his family's durian orchard. Photo: BICH THUY

In the April sunshine, stepping into the garden of Mr. Vo Van Kien, residing in Nam Chien hamlet, Giong Rieng commune, I clearly felt the cool, lush green atmosphere. Durian, pomelo, and jackfruit trees intertwined, their canopies abundant. The integrated garden and pond model helps Mr. Kien effectively utilize the previously uncultivated low-lying land, providing a stable income for his family.

After years of cultivation, Mr. Kien now has about 700 durian trees of various types. This season, he harvested over 100 trees, yielding approximately 9 tons. Depending on the weight (1.8 - 5 kg/fruit) and quality, with selling prices ranging from 40,000 - 85,000 VND/kg, his profit exceeded 300 million VND. However, according to Mr. Kien, selling durian is not easy. Durian prices fluctuate erratically, while export market requirements are strict. Traders select round fruits with thin skins and many segments to get a good price. Fruits that do not meet the standards sell for less or are difficult to sell.

In Thanh Hung commune, durian cultivation continues to thrive. The durian farming group in Vinh Thanh 2 hamlet, with 19 members, cultivates a total area of ​​approximately 60 hectares. Many members of the group have become quite well-off and wealthy thanks to crop diversification. Mr. Nguyen Van Han, residing in Thanh Vinh 2 hamlet, planted 350 Musang King durian trees. This season, he harvested about 30 tons, selling them at 106,000 VND/kg at the farm, resulting in a profit of over 2 billion VND. "Durian farming yields higher income than rice farming, but it requires significant capital, meticulous care, and market dependence, so growers must plan for the long term," Mr. Han said.

Mr. Vo Van Kien's durian orchard is thriving, producing a stable yield and contributing to his family's increased income. Photo: BICH THUY

Besides economic benefits, durian production in Thanh Hung also faces difficulties. Members of the durian farming group in Vinh Thanh 2 hamlet have not agreed on a variety, with each member planting a different type, thus preventing them from registering a planting area code. This is a crucial condition for official export and is also a "bottleneck" causing unstable sales. Furthermore, the investment cost for durian orchards is high, requiring more than four years of care before harvest, demanding capital and perseverance from growers. During cultivation, members of the group use organic fertilizers to improve fruit quality, which also increases costs.

Mr. Nguyen Van Day, Deputy Secretary of the Party Branch and Head of Thanh Vinh 2 Hamlet, Thanh Hung Commune, said that his family owns 25 acres of Ri6 durian trees, of which 10 acres have already been harvested. Previously, he received a deposit at 55,000 VND/kg, which has now increased to 62,000 - 65,000 VND/kg. On average, each tree yields a profit of 7 - 10 million VND per harvest. "Durian farming provides high income but requires significant investment, hard work, and market dependence. Without careful planning, it's very risky," Mr. Day said.

According to Mr. Cao Hoang Nhan, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee and Chairman of the Farmers' Association of Thanh Hung commune, durian trees play a significant role in increasing income and helping the locality reduce poverty. In the coming time, the locality will continue to encourage people to plant durian trees in a coordinated manner, standardizing varieties, and establishing planting area codes to meet export standards. At the same time, it advises against expanding the planting area spontaneously to limit risks when the market fluctuates.

In many localities, durian remains a high-value economic crop, but it's not an easy crop to cultivate if production is fragmented. As the market becomes increasingly demanding, growers are forced to shift from individual production to collaborative farming, from prioritizing quantity to focusing on quality. Only when production is reorganized to meet market demand can durian cultivation develop sustainably and provide a stable, long-term source of income for farmers.

BICH THUY

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/lien-ket-de-sau-rieng-di-xa-a482520.html