Khanh Hoa: IPHM helps reduce costs, increase yields by 20%

In the semi-mountainous area of Tran Quoc Khanh Commune, Khanh Hoa Province, many green-skinned pomelo orchards are entering the harvest season. Instead of the previous practice of excessive chemical use that degraded soil quality, the implementation of the Integrated Plant Health Management (IPHM) is helping pomelo trees grow more sustainably, enhance their resilience, and improve economic efficiency for local farmers.

The 13-year-old green-skinned pomelo orchard of Mr. Nguyen Van Ngoc’s family in Suoi Sau Hamlet has remained healthy, with lush foliage and vigorous growth. The key difference is that the orchard owner does not use herbicides but instead maintains natural vegetation cover to protect the soil and retain moisture. According to Mr. Ngoc, in the past, the continuous use of chemical fertilizers and the removal of all weeds caused the hillside soil to become prone to erosion during heavy rains, leaving trees weakened over time.

After receiving training in IPHM, Mr. Ngoc shifted to preserving natural grass cover to reduce soil nutrient loss and create habitats for beneficial natural enemies. To prevent grass from competing with pomelo trees for nutrients, he trims it when it reaches about 30-40 cm in height. The cut grass is left around the bases of the trees, serving as an organic mulch that improves soil structure and fertility.

In addition to weed management, Mr. Ngoc’s family has installed a water-saving irrigation system. By increasing the use of organic fertilizers and microbial fertilizers, while prioritizing biological plant protection products, the amount of chemical fertilizers and pesticides has been reduced by 20-30%. As a result, the pomelo trees have stronger root systems, maintaining high and stable fruit yields.

Similarly, Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Dung’s 1.4-hectare pomelo orchard in Suoi Thom Hamlet has also shown significant improvements after applying the IPHM approach. Instead of applying chemical fertilizers monthly as before, Mr. Dung now uses composted manure and bio-organic fertilizers every 3-4 months, helping reduce labour costs while improving soil conditions and preventing compaction and degradation.

By regularly monitoring the orchard and protecting beneficial insects, Mr. Dung’s pomelo trees have significantly reduced infestations of yellow aphids and red spider mites. Treating pests with biological products helps maintain healthy green canopies and lowers spending on chemical pesticides. According to Mr. Dung, proper application of IPHM techniques has helped the trees become healthier, producing pomelos with thinner peels, richer sweetness, and better marketability, while yields have doubled compared with previous farming practices.

The farm of Ms. Chu Tran Cam Chi in Suoi Thom Hamlet, with 2.7 hectares of green-skinned pomelo, has also successfully recovered after adopting the IPHM process. By dredging drainage channels to prevent localized waterlogging, applying lime to improve soil pH on sloping land, and supplementing potassium fertilizer at the right time, the orchard now produces three harvests per year with a stable total output of around 25 tonnes, an increase of approximately 20% compared with the previous period.

Drawing from the practical success of local growers, Mr. Tran Quoc Khanh, an IPHM training instructor from the Khanh Hoa Sub-Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection, said that farmers’ shift in cultivation practices has delivered clear results. In recent years, the Sub-Department has organized IPHM training courses in the communes of Khanh Vinh, Trung Khanh Vinh, and Bac Khanh Vinh. The greatest benefit of applying IPHM is that it strengthens root systems and improves plant health from the foundation, enabling farmers to proactively manage pests and diseases while increasing crop resilience to adverse weather conditions.

In addition, prioritizing biological solutions, utilizing natural enemies, and applying balanced fertilization have significantly reduced reliance on chemical pesticides. This approach not only helps prevent pesticide resistance and reduce soil and water pollution, but also enables farmers to lower input costs. The harvested pomelos meet safety standards, enhancing product value and better satisfying market demand.

To further promote the IPHM programme, in 2026, the Khanh Hoa Sub-Department of Plant Production and Protection organized three IPHM training courses for rice and pomelo cultivation in localities. In the coming period, the agency will continue advising on plans to expand the model across the province, aiming towards safe, ecological, and sustainable agricultural production.