Bayer Vietnam, Dak Nong Province collaborate to drive sustainable durian cultivation

Durian, the emerging strategic crop in the agricultural sector, is bringing significant economic value and social stability to the Central Highlands province and others nationwide.

However, achieving success in durian cultivation is challenging for farmers, which prompted Bayer Vietnam and Dak Nong to come up with the partnership.

This collaboration aims to support farmers, expand cultivation areas, and contribute to local socio-economic development by improving livelihoods, income, and environmental sustainability, enhancing the competitiveness of durian in the global market.

Farmers visit Phan Viet Cuong's durian garden after applying a sustainable durian care process, guaranteeing the export standards of Bayer Vietnam and Dak Nong Agricultural Extension Center. Photo by Thanh Mai

Primary concerns in durian cultivation involve achieving successful flowering and fruiting. Farmers must possess a strong understanding of cultivation techniques, including orchard ecology, fertilization, disease management, and plant nutrition.

Controlling with water scarcity in durian-growing areas are also crucial to ensuring productivity and healthy plant growth.

In addition, the establishment of cultivation area codes and the good management of the quality and residue of crop protection products play a vital role in promoting durian exports while ensuring high market demand and income for farmers.

Kg Krishnamurthy, Country Commercial Lead of Crop Science Division at Bayer Vietnam, said: "The sustainable durian cultivation model we have implemented in Dak Nong Province reflects our unwavering commitment to empower farmers and drive local development.

"Working closely with the Dak Nong Agricultural Extension Center, we aim at helping Vietnam farmers capitalize on durian export opportunities by providing them with customized, on-farm consultations over integrated crop management and sustainability practices, paving the way for a brighter future where Vietnam's durian industry can thrive on the global stage while prioritizing safety and sustainability."

Kg Krishnamurthy, Country Commercial Lead of Crop Science Division, Bayer Vietnam, said that Bayer wants to bring solutions to help Vietnamese durian stand firm in the global market. Photo by Thanh Mai

Nguyen Van Chuong, Director of Dak Nong Agricultural Extension Center, said: "Modern agriculture is the way forward in securing international market access and improving agricultural productivity. The education we are providing through our collaboration with Bayer Viet Nam helps elevate durian farming in Dak Nong to a new level and allows farmers to adopt safer, more sustainable practices. This results in more exports, higher income, and career stability for growers."

The collaboration has already made strides in capacity-building. A training session was conducted, benefiting over 50 agricultural extension officers, who play a pivotal role in disseminating knowledge and best practices to farmers.

Plans are underway to organize 10 more training sessions, expected to reach over 400 farmers in the area.

These sessions will focus on cultivation techniques, emphasizing the responsible and safe use of crop protection products throughout the durian cultivation season.

These sessions will focus on cultivation techniques, emphasizing the responsible and safe use of crop protection products throughout the durian cultivation season. Photo by Thanh Mai

In October 2023, farmer Phan Viet Cuong from Dak Wer Hamlet, Dak Rlap District, Dak Nong Province, said that he received support for the care process and instructions for using plant protection fertilizers at the right time for plants to grow from Bayer Vietnam and Dak Nong Agricultural Extension Center, his durian garden has seen positive results. He hopes to reap a successful crop in the next few months and, at the same time, be able to export at high prices.

Furthermore, with the sustainable durian cultivation model, farmers have been introduced to the "Much More Durian" solutions by Bayer, which effectively manage pests and diseases while ensuring optimal crop yield.

This approach prioritizes the control of residues from crop protection products, guaranteeing the quality and safety standards of durian exports.