Dragon fruit industry aims to reduce emissions

Dragon fruit gardens on the path to emission reduction

On the sun-drenched, windy land of Hamlet 7, Ham Thuan Commune, Mr. Bui Minh Cong cultivates over 1 hectare of dragon fruit and is persistently pursuing a VietGAP farming model combined with emission reduction. Previously, he had to use incandescent and compact lamps to stimulate off-season fruiting. Each season, lighting nearly 900 dragon fruit pillars consumed 8,500 - 9,000 kWh of electricity, costing around 17 - 19 million VND. With high costs and increasing pressure to reduce carbon emissions, he had to seek a new approach.

Opportunities arose when he joined the UNDP-supported program to switch to 9W energy-saving LED lights. By replacing the entire lighting system, electricity consumption dropped by more than 55% compared to compact lamps, to about 1,300 kWh/ha per season. In addition to reducing costs, LED lights help dragon fruit flower more uniformly, increase fruit set rates, and improve fruit quality consistency.

Moreover, Mr. Cong invested in a drip irrigation system, soluble fertilizer application, and integrated pest management, reducing the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Every step is recorded according to VietGAP standards, helping control emissions and optimize input use.

“Modern farming no longer relies solely on experience but also on data. Emission-reducing production makes the garden more sustainable and opens doors to demanding markets,” Mr. Cong shared.

Effectiveness and challenges

A representative of a dragon fruit purchasing agent in Ham Thuan said that dragon fruit produced with emission-reduction practices in Lam Dong is increasingly preferred in the market. According to him, dragon fruit grown under emission-reduction methods, such as energy-saving LED lighting, drip irrigation, proper fertilization, and limited pesticide use not only has consistent quality but also better preserves during long-distance transport.

“We are willing to pay 1,000 - 2,000 VND more per kilogram for these batches because they are stable, visually appealing, meet export standards, and long-term contracts carry less risk compared to regular produce. This also reassures farmers to adopt green and sustainable farming practices while enhancing the competitiveness of Lam Dong dragon fruit in domestic and international markets,” shared the purchasing agent.

Lam Dong currently has over 27,800 hectares of dragon fruit, producing nearly 600,000 tons annually. It is considered a key crop and a poverty-alleviating plant for the locality. However, dragon fruit cultivation generates a significant amount of greenhouse gas emissions, especially from off-season lighting activities.

The use of LED lights has significantly reduced electricity consumption and carbon emissions. Ms. Le Phuong Chi, Director of the Ham Thuan Nam Dragon Fruit Cooperative, noted that green-oriented dragon fruit production helps increase the value of agricultural products and expands export opportunities to Japan, South Korea, and Europe with very high carbon emission standards.

Nevertheless, the model still faces many challenges. The investment cost for LED lighting systems, drip irrigation, and monitoring equipment is quite high, posing a barrier for smallholder farmers. Technical infrastructure in some growing areas remains inconsistent, while emission inventory practices are still relatively new for most households.

According to Ms. Cao Thị Thanh, Deputy Director of the Lam Dong Department of Industry and Trade, emission inventory is a mandatory requirement in the context of increasingly complex climate change. It also serves as the foundation for the province to develop emission-reduction policies and fulfill its commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

Currently, the province is organizing training courses on emission data collection and processing for technical staff, farmers, and enterprises to enhance their capacity in implementing green agriculture models.

Opportunities for Lam Dong agriculture

Many experts assess that Lam Dong is well-positioned to develop green agriculture: it has a temperate climate, fertile land, and farmers willing to adopt new technologies. From the "1 must, 6 reductions" model for rice to the application of LED lights in dragon fruit cultivation, the province is demonstrating that emission reduction can still increase productivity and profitability.

Mr. Nguyen Hoai Trung, Deputy Director of the Lam Dong Department of Science and Technology, believes that low-carbon agriculture is an opportunity for the province to take the lead in building a green agricultural ecosystem. "In the coming time, the Department will continue to accompany farmers, cooperatives, and businesses, making science and technology a key driving force for a circular economy and sustainable rural development."

To achieve the Net Zero target, Lam Dong needs to expand green credit policies, encourage businesses to invest in clean agriculture, and upgrade production-supporting infrastructure. When support mechanisms are implemented comprehensively, models like Mr. Thanh’s dragon fruit garden will no longer be exceptions but become a mainstream trend.

From the story of Lam Dong farmers, it is clear that emission-reducing agriculture is no longer an option but an inevitable path. Each green dragon fruit model not only contributes to environmental protection but also enhances the competitiveness of Vietnamese agricultural products, laying the foundation for the province to move closer to Net Zero agriculture.

* 1$ = 26.142 VND (source: Vietcombank).