Farming with knowledge to preserve flavor of durian

Amid the straight rows of rubber trees in Phu Giao commune (Ho Chi Minh city), farmer Dinh Ngoc Khuong’s durian orchard of more than 7 hectares stands out as a vibrant green spot, where dense canopies shade the pathways, and clusters of round fruits peek through the sunlight.

Locals still call him “Khuong chicken”, a nickname from the days when he built his reputation with a high-tech cold-chain chicken farming model in the former Binh Duong province. Yet that story alone does not fully describe him. Walking through his orchard today, it is clear he continues his farming journey in a deeper, more persistent, and reflective way.

He has not abandoned livestock farming. The poultry houses still operate under a stable, closed-loop system. The difference is that he has also developed a durian orchard - not as a side activity, but as a carefully planned long-term investment.

Guiding visitors through the garden, he observes each canopy while gently turning the fruits of the Ri6 durian that are nearing maturity. Each fruit is evenly shaped, with large segments, small seeds, and pale yellow flesh that releases a distinctive mild aroma.

“The soil here is grey basalt soil. If you know how to maintain it, the fruit will have a very distinctive taste - mildly sweet and not harsh. But if you farm the wrong way and use too many chemicals, the flavor will be ruined,” he said.

The first thing to notice in his orchard is not the modern equipment, but the lush green grass covering the ground beneath the trees. Instead of clearing it or spraying herbicides, he allows the grass to grow naturally, letting it become part of the orchard’s ecosystem.

Bending down to part the grass, he explained, “The grass helps retain soil moisture. When it decomposes, it becomes fertilizer. We use it to nourish the soil instead of clearing it and then adding more fertilizer.”

The method may seem simple, yet it reflects a different mindset, one in which farming is not only about taking from the land but also giving back to it.

In one corner of the orchard, large plastic containers with tightly sealed lids are neatly placed under the trees. When opened, they reveal a dark liquid with a mild fermented smell. Khuong calls it “fish fertilizer,” an organic nutrient solution he ferments from a mix of all types of fish, molasses, and microbial cultures. “Trees absorb this better than chemical fertilizers, and the soil doesn’t degrade. It also reduces costs,” he said.

When asked why he does not choose the quicker option of industrial fertilizers, he simply shook his head. “It’s faster, yes, but it’s not sustainable. If you think short-term in farming, the consequences appear after just a few years.”

These solutions are not applied in isolation. He combines them with a carefully designed automated irrigation and spraying system. Pipes carrying water and nutrients extend up into the tree canopy, allowing the entire orchard to be managed with just a single operation. “In the past, we had to pull hoses and spend half a day watering. Now it takes just a few minutes. More importantly, the trees receive nutrients evenly and are less likely to get sick,” Khuong said.

This combination of experience and technology helps his durian orchard maintain stable yields of about 20 - 25 tons per hectare, generating annual revenues of billions of Vietnamese dong. Yet the numbers are not what he emphasizes most. What matters more to him is the long-term health of the soil, the trees, and the farming methods he has chosen.

One thing to note is that he does not keep these techniques to himself. Many farmers in the region come to learn from him, and he willingly shares his knowledge, from fermenting fish fertilizer and maintaining ground cover to operating irrigation systems. “If only one person succeeds, only that person benefits. When many farmers do well, the whole region develops,” he said firmly.

In reality, models like Khuong’s are gradually changing farming practices in Phu Giao. Farmers are no longer relying entirely on traditional experience. Instead, they are beginning to adopt technical knowledge, keep records, manage production more systematically, and move toward safer and more sustainable standards.

Speaking about development orientations, Vu Hai Ly, Chairman of the People’s Committee of Phu Giao commune, Ho Chi Minh city, said, “Models like that of Dinh Ngoc Khuong clearly demonstrate the effectiveness of applying science and technology in agricultural production. The locality will continue supporting farmers in accessing technology and encouraging organic, safe production models with market linkages. This is a crucial direction for increasing agricultural value and achieving sustainable development in the future.”

In the cool green orchard, where layers of grass quietly nourish the soil and containers of fish fertilizer slowly ferment, Khuong’s story is not merely about prosperity. It is a story about a different way of farming - slower, more careful, and more thoughtful. In that approach, farmers are not only growing trees but also learning to live with the land, understand it, and ensure that it continues to sustain them for generations.