Introducing precision irrigation to Lam Dong’s horticultural regions

On August 14, the Lam Dong Provincial Agricultural Extension Center, in collaboration with Khang Thinh Irrigation Technology JSC, organized a workshop to introduce precision irrigation technology combined with Pekacid-containing fertilizers for crop production.

The workshop was attended by Vu Dinh Cuong, Deputy Director of the Lam Dong Department of Agriculture and Environment; Nguyen Van Chuong, Director of the Lam Dong Provincial Agricultural Extension Center; Dao The Long, Deputy General Director of Khang Thinh Irrigation Technology JSC; and more than 200 delegates from vegetable and flower production areas.

According to Vu Dinh Cuong, despite progress, technical challenges and bottlenecks continue to hinder the sustainable development of the agricultural sector. Climate change is becoming increasingly severe, while groundwater resources are declining significantly during the dry season. Drip irrigation pipes and emitters can also become clogged when using hard water or conventional soluble fertilizers.

“Precision irrigation technology combined with Pekacid-containing fertilizers provides a direct solution to these problems in irrigation systems. Pekacid-containing fertilizers can dissolve precipitated deposits accumulated in pipes and irrigation emitters, ensuring stable system operation and uniform nutrient distribution to every plant,” Cuong said.

Against the backdrop of practical challenges in operating irrigation systems, the workshop focused on shifting from fixed-schedule irrigation to supplying water based on crops' actual needs. These needs vary depending on temperature, air humidity, solar radiation, growth stage, leaf area, crop type, growing medium, root-zone moisture, drainage capacity and greenhouse conditions.

To control irrigation, the system can integrate soil or growing-medium moisture sensors with controllers, pumps, valves and irrigation equipment. Parameters such as electrical conductivity (EC), pH, temperature, air humidity, flow rate, and pressure can also be monitored to support water and nutrient management. The approach aims to shift from time-based irrigation to sensor- and crop-demand-based irrigation.

For farmers, the technology can be adopted gradually, starting with monitoring moisture, flow rate, EC and pH, as well as automatically opening and closing valves, before expanding to IoT applications, climate monitoring and data analysis.

According to Dr. Nguyen Tri Minh of Da Lat University, using greenhouses, protected cultivation, drip irrigation, and automated equipment does not necessarily mean production is data-driven. Decisions on irrigation timing and nutrient application are still often based on fixed schedules and experience.

“We have automated equipment, but that does not always mean we have achieved data-driven precision agriculture. A common irrigation practice, for example, is to irrigate for five minutes at 7 a.m., another five minutes at 11 a.m., and another five minutes at 3 p.m. This method is easy to operate, but it has one fundamental limitation: plants do not use water according to a clock,” Dr. Minh said.

The workshop also gave farmers a chance to exchange views and discuss irrigation water management, plant nutrition, and technical solutions with experts and participating organizations.

Nguyen Van Chuong, Director of the Lam Dong Provincial Agricultural Extension Center, said the center would continue working with specialized agencies, research institutes, universities and businesses to select, introduce and transfer suitable scientific and technical advances tailored to different crops and local production conditions.

“We hope Khang Thinh will not only provide advanced fertilizers and irrigation equipment but also work alongside the agricultural sector in providing technical advice and transferring effective application procedures. This will help farmers select suitable solutions, use irrigation water and fertilizers efficiently, improve production efficiency, reduce input costs and increase incomes,” Chuong emphasized.

According to the Lam Dong Provincial Agricultural Extension Center, the province currently has approximately 93,800ha of vegetables, with annual output of around 2.75 million tonnes. High-tech vegetable production covers 33,574ha, including approximately 284 hectares using smart technologies. Flower production covers around 12,610ha annually, with output of approximately 5.18 billion flower stems. The province currently has about 3,113ha of greenhouses, 320ha of net houses, and approximately 2,901ha using automated irrigation systems combined with fertigation.