Promoting the role of agricultural extension in sustainable development of key crops in the Central Highlands

The seminar was attended by the Central Highlands Institute of Agricultural and Forestry Science and Technology; Agricultural Extension Center, enterprises, cooperatives and farmers from Dak Lak, Gia Lai and Lam Dong provinces.

Dr. Dang Ba Dan, Deputy Head of the Southern Standing Office - National Agricultural Extension Center spoke at the seminar.

The Central Highlands region is currently the country's major agricultural commodity production center. Many national key crops are concentrated here, specifically: coffee accounts for 92.4% of the country's area and 98.7% of its output; pepper accounts for 67.8% of the area and 75.6% of its output; durian affirms its position as the "capital" with an area of over 90,000 hectares, with an estimated output of 673,900 tons...

These key crops make an important contribution to the country's export turnover. In the first 9 months of 2025, coffee exports reached 6.98 billion USD (up 61.4% in value); pepper reached 1.2 billion USD; durian (the main driving force of the fruit and vegetable industry) is estimated at 2.5 - 2.6 billion USD.

Delegates attending the seminar.

Despite achieving impressive results, agricultural production in the Central Highlands still has many "bottlenecks" including: Management of growing area codes and packaging facilities is still lacking in uniformity; control of pesticide residues is still difficult; cultivation techniques are not uniform; linkages in the production - consumption value chain are still loose...

In that context, agricultural extension has become an important factor in supporting production reorganization, improving product quality and connecting markets in the Central Highlands. The agricultural extension system is not only a bridge for transferring science and technology but also an “extended arm” to help farmers change their thinking, improve their management capacity and participate in the value chain.

National Center for Agricultural Extension reports on the discussion topic.

Agricultural Extension has successfully implemented many projects and models, for example: The coffee replanting project for the period 2021 - 2025, has so far implemented 74,503 hectares (reaching 82% of the plan) with new coffee varieties that have the ability to grow and develop well, are resistant to pests and diseases, and have high productivity and quality in accordance with export standards. In particular, the replanting model combines water-saving irrigation technology, reasonable fertilization, and links consumption with roasting and grinding enterprises, helping to increase average productivity by 15 - 20% and profits by 25 - 30%.

Delegates chaired the discussion session.

Cooperate with businesses to implement models such as: Smart coffee cultivation by using new fertilizer products, combined with intercropping solutions on coffee gardens, meeting smart farming criteria. This model has brought economic efficiency to farmers, with productivity increasing by over 15%;

The advanced farming model (Better Life Farming) provides farmers with effective pest management solutions, protecting crops from diseases while ensuring public health safety. The model is implemented on coffee and durian trees, in which the model on durian gardens recorded an 80 - 90% reduction in fungal pests and diseases, and a 10% increase in productivity...

Farmers' representatives speak out.

At the seminar, delegates focused on discussing technical measures to prevent pests and diseases, care for key crops in each stage; the effective use of fertilizers and pesticides for each type of crop; the role of agricultural extension and technical solutions, production organization, and value chain linkage. In particular, opinions focused on solutions to use artificial intelligence in crop cultivation; steps to issue growing area codes for key crops...

Source: https://baodaklak.vn/kinh-te/202510/phat-huy-vai-tro-khuyen-nong-trong-phat-trien-ben-vung-cay-trong-chu-luc-tai-tay-nguyen-82e0b13/