4.0 farmers in Dak Nong: durian orchard as a ‘money tree’ of the young couple

The garden owners, Huynh Thi Cam Tien and Nguyen Huu Vinh, have achieved an additional annual income of hundreds of millions of VND due to of their collaboration with the Ta Dung Cooperative for Services, Trade, and Tourism (Ta Dung Cooperative, Dak Som Commune, Dak Glong District, Dak Nong), which involved the integration of the durian orchard into its tourism program.

Vinh's durian farm in B'sre B village, Dak Som Commune, is distinctive by a sparse setup, with over 100 trees spanning 1.3 hectares of fertile basalt soil, resulting in large durian trees. Vinh clarifies that they cultivate the 9 Hoa variety, which is also considered "milk durian."

The couple harvested more than 30 tons of durians in 2023 and sold them in bulk at the garden for over 40,000 VND per kilogram. This year, they are cultivating a reduced number of fruits, with an estimated yield of around 20 tons.

Vinh asserts that durian trees are exceedingly vulnerable to parasites and weather conditions, demanding careful supervision throughout their development, including leaf growth, blossoming, and fruiting. This often requires chemical spraying. Nevertheless, this practice has a negative impact on health, compromises product safety, and leads to environmental contamination and insect resistance.

Vinh has transitioned to an organic agricultural approach, employing exclusively organic and microbial fertilizers, following his collaboration with Ta Dung Cooperative.

Vinh's aspiration is for his children to inherit a clean, towering, and verdant durian orchard that is a popular destination for both domestic and international tourists. "In addition to durians, I intend to invest in and renovate the orchard to establish a combined model that will serve as a location for student field trips, eco-tourism, and education," Vinh explains.

Vinh's concept may appear ambitious, but it is feasible, according to Vo Duy Quang, Director of Ta Dung Cooperative. "Develop a precise action plan and remain dedicated to the vision." Develop it progressively if financial resources are minimal. Vo Duy Quang asserts that success is entirely achievable by rigorously adhering to sustainable agricultural practices and safeguarding the ecological environment.

Dak Glong's distinctive climate frequently necessitates a later harvest than in other regions. The durians in this region are just reaching the apex of ripeness, while regions such as Binh Phuoc, Dong Nai, and Dak Lak are at the end of their season.

"This is a substantial market advantage." Furthermore, the long-term sustainability of the development is not a concern due to the presence of sustainable agricultural practices, high-quality products, and stunning large plantations such as Vinh's, according to Vo Duy Quang, Director of Ta Dung Cooperative.