Technology builds green rubber: Bringing mechanical products to market

In the rubber industry, technology is increasingly decisive in determining production efficiency and plantation productivity. In the past, most of the work, from leaf sweeping and weeding to medicine spraying, was done manually. Today, machinery innovations developed by the mechanical worker team of Dong Nai Rubber Corporation have marked a significant transformation, helping to reduce labor power and increase latex productivity.

Innovation from skilled workers

Mr. Doan Ngoc Duy, a mechanical repair worker who has been with the workshop since its early days, shared, "My main job is to repair and improve machinery and equipment used directly in rubber cultivation. Machinery in this industry is highly specialized, such as sprayers, fertilizer applicators, leaf blowers, and grass cutters. All of these innovations aim to reduce labor power for workers and enhance production efficiency."

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According to Mr. Duy, the greatest challenge lies in the need for constant research and adjustment to ensure that the machinery is suited to production practice. During welding and cutting processes, the goal is not only to make the equipment operational but also safe for workers, highly durable, and cost-effective. Even a single weld joint must be firm and precise to ensure long-term reliability. These seemingly small details play a vital role in reducing heavy work, shortening cultivation time, and better protecting rubber trees.

Within the corporation's mechanical team, Mr. Nguyen Van Tu (born in 1965) has dedicated over 40 years to repairing, manufacturing, and improving machinery. He recalled, "In the early days, nearly all tasks in the rubber garden were done manually. Imported machines often did not fit our production terrain. I always thought that a machine must be designed to ease the workers' workload."

Motivated by this concern, he spent many years experimenting and learning from every small detail. As a result, he and his colleagues successfully improved much equipment, including grass cutters and medicine sprayers. "My greatest joy is seeing the workers' labor eased, while the rubber trees are better protected and achieving higher and more stable yields."

Through these innovations, Mr. Tu has not only helped the company save costs but has also made an important contribution to mechanizing production. Many of the devices he improved have been widely applied across plantations, becoming "assistants" for workers, enhancing both efficiency and productivity of the garden. Beyond his innovations, he also serves as a mentor, passing on his skills in welding, cutting, and mechanical processing to younger workers, ensuring that the next generation carries forward the persistence and creativity of the Dong Nai Rubber Corporation’s mechanical team.

From innovation to product commercialization

According to Mr. Phan Dang Hai Nghi, Head of the Mechanization Team at Dong Nai Rubber Corporation, the application and improvement of machinery is an inevitable requirement for enhancing productivity and reducing labor power. Previously, many works in the rubber garden, such as leaf blowing, sweeping, and spraying, were done manually, making them extremely laborious. Today, with the introduction of machinery, productivity has increased significantly while labor demands have decreased remarkably.

A typical example is the grass cutter. Originally, the machine could only cut between rows of rubber trees and often damaged the tree bases due to unshielded blades. After multiple improvements, protective mechanisms were added, allowing the machine to cleanly remove grass close to the tree base while safeguarding the trees.

Similarly, the leaf blower has been upgraded to attach to a tractor, significantly increasing its capacity. Previously, small leaf blowers required considerable effort. Today, a large tractor can clear 1.5–2 ha/hour, achieving efficiency several times higher. The common point of these innovations is that they all originate from the practical needs of workers, resulting in machinery that is highly applicable, easy to operate, cost-effective, and simple to repair.

Importing machinery from abroad would be several times more expensive and may not fully meet local production requirements. For this reason, Dong Nai Rubber Corporation aims to commercialize "Made in Dong Nai" mechanical products in the near future.

To realize this goal, the corporation has established a dedicated mechanical team that both conducts research and directly tests innovations in the garden. Initiatives are promptly recognized and rewarded, encouraging the spirit of creativity. This approach also represents a sustainable path toward increasing self-reliance and reducing dependence on imports.

According to Mr. Nghi, if approved by the Board of Directors, the corporation’s mechanical workers will develop and improve types of machines that will be mass-produced, not only to serve internal operations but also to supply the market. This would create additional income for mechanical workers while enhancing the corporation's reputation and brand value.

Currently, the mechanical team of Dong Nai Rubber Corporation, consisting of about 14 members, continues to work diligently, collaborating on ideas, testing, and perfecting new equipment. Members hope for greater support and better working conditions to sustain this spirit of innovation. In practice, these technical improvements have helped both the rubber industry in general and Dong Nai rubber in particular to save costs, reduce labor power, and foster creativity, thereby contributing to professionalizing production and building brands.