CoE: Technology transfer for sustainable durian, coffee cultivation

The launch ceremony for the Center of Excellence (CoE) model for sustainable farming technology transfer on durian and coffee crops was recently held at the Western Highlands Agriculture and Forestry Science Institute (WASI). The event was attended by leaders from the Plant Production and Protection Department, the National Agricultural Extension Center, the Dak Lak Department of Agriculture and Environment, Bayer Viet Nam, and more than 70 delegates representing cooperatives, businesses, and farmers.

In the Central Highlands, the event is not only a technical cooperation program but also a concrete step toward implementing the policy of promoting science, technology, and innovation in agriculture in line with the Politburo’s Resolution No. 57. Building on the foundation of the previous Better Life Farming model, the CoE is expected to create new momentum for agricultural production in the region amid increasingly complex climate change, pests, and diseases and continuously tightening quality standards imposed by export markets.

According to experts, the CoE's highlight is its ecosystem-based approach rather than isolated solutions. The model is designed to support producers in Integrated Plant Health Management (IPHM), nutrient management, irrigation water optimization, the use of digital technologies, residue control, and market linkage for consumption.

At WASI's demonstration farm, farmers will access synchronous solutions, including clean seeds, smart fertilizers supplied by Binh Dien and Yara, Netafim's automated irrigation system, XAG drones, and the Weather Plus microclimate forecasting platform. The model is also supported by BIDV, Eurofins, Louis (LDC), Nafoods, and numerous other partners for finance, testing services, and agricultural product quality standardization.

This linkage helps narrow the gap between scientific research and agricultural production, optimizing production costs while strengthening the ability of Vietnamese durian and coffee to meet the increasingly stringent requirements of export markets.

Speaking at the ceremony, Director of the National Agricultural Extension Center Le Quoc Thanh highlighted the importance of connecting science and technology with production practices. Notably, the program also marked the launch of the "International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026" initiative, aimed at enhancing the capacity of women farmers and expanding their access to technologies, as women play a vital role in the development of household economies and rural communities in the Central Highlands.

Dr. Phan Viet Ha, Deputy Director of WASI, pledged, "The unit will make the best preparations in terms of infrastructure and expertise to turn this site into a trusted destination where farmers can visit, learn, and apply advanced technologies in practice. The success of the CoE will not be measured by the number of workshops it organizes but by the substantial results achieved in the field: higher productivity, lower production costs, sustainable incomes, and a protected ecosystem."

To maximize the model's effectiveness and facilitate its wider replication, Mr. Nghiem Quang Tuan, Deputy Director General of the Plant Production and Protection Department, emphasized the need to further refine and standardize integrated cultivation processes tailored to the actual production conditions of durian and coffee.

In addition, it is necessary to strengthen direct training and technology transfer for farmers and key cooperatives; promote the use of biological pesticides in accordance with the "4 rights" principle; strictly control chemical residues; accelerate the application of digital technologies, smart equipment, and traceability systems; and reinforce value chain linkages to help farmers gain access to markets and appropriate financial mechanisms.

At the event, delegates performed the official launch ceremony for the CoE model and signed a partnership agreement to jointly develop the sustainable farming technology transfer model across the Central Highlands.

In the future, as scientific solutions are validated and applied directly in growing areas, the CoE is expected to become a flagship practical hub for the public-private partnership (PPP) model, contributing to the development of a modern, green, and sustainable agricultural sector in the Central Highlands while further enhancing the position of Vietnamese durian and coffee in international markets.