Not the time but the foundation
As a locality with strengths in durian, how do you assess the role of Dong Thap gardeners in the miracle of 2025?
- Gardeners are the core actors creating growth in both output and quality of durian in the province, contributing to the overall results of the whole country in 2025. This achievement is not only thanks to favorable natural conditions but also from the accumulated experience and innovation spirit of growers. Many gardeners have switched to organic and microbial fertilizers; using biological pesticides; applying methodical techniques for off-season treatment and investing in automatic irrigation systems, digital technology monitoring. That proactiveness helps Dong Thap durian save costs, optimize resources and increasingly meet the requirements of the domestic and export markets.
Some opinions suggest that the export achievements in 2025 are partly due to the timing factor. When the Chinese market shifts from purchasing by quantity to purchasing by standards, what does Dong Thap do to maintain its advantage?
- The timing factor can create opportunities, but cannot be a long-term foundation. In fact, the market - especially China - is rapidly shifting to quality, standards and clear traceability requirements.
Therefore, the province identifies the development of durian in a sustainable direction. First of all, focus on the right suitable growing areas, not spontaneously expanding. The management of growing area codes and traceability is tightened; linkages between gardeners - cooperatives - businesses are promoted to ensure synchronous and transparent production. The goal is to improve substantive quality, instead of chasing short-term output.
5 pillars holding the advantage
What key groups of solutions is the province implementing, sir?
- Currently, we are synchronously implementing 5 groups of solutions: First, strengthening training and coaching on food safety; promoting the application of science - technology, high technology such as organic and biological farming, integrated pest management; increasing the rate of growing areas certified VietGAP, GlobalGAP and applying electronic traceability.
Second, promote large-scale production linkages, applying the same technical process to ensure uniformity in quality and design.
Third, develop concentrated raw material areas; plan specialized farming areas; support access to high-quality, standard seedlings.
Fourth, strictly control input materials, limit the risk of heavy metal contamination that has been warned.
Fifth, build safe durian production areas, free from cadmium, low emissions, meeting increasingly high standards of markets.
Growth must go with limits
Handling off-season crops helps increase value but also increases the amount of fertilizer and pesticides. What does the province do to harmonize economic benefits and environmental sustainability?
- This is an issue that we are particularly concerned about. If the off-season handling is prolonged and uncontrolled, the land may degrade, the ecosystem may become unbalanced, affecting product quality.
Therefore, the agricultural sector recommends increasing the use of organic fertilizers and biological products; gradually replacing chemicals. The application of biochars and microorganisms to improve soil, raise pH, and break down chemical residues is also encouraged. In parallel, integrated pest management is applied and linkages are strengthened through cooperatives to control input materials.
Regarding the cadmium issue, the province has implemented a remedial model in some growing areas in Long Tien and Thanh Hung communes, combining the use of fertilizers with very low cadmium content along with biochargers and biological products. Initial positive signals have been recorded in reducing cadmium content in soil and crops.
When durian prices are high, the risk of spontaneous development is very high. What does Dong Thap do to both create conditions for gardeners to develop and ensure long-term stability?
- The province's consistent viewpoint is not to chase after the area at all costs. The current area basically achieves the set target. In the 2026-2030 period, we advocate keeping the area stable, not focusing on new planting but focusing on improving productivity and quality on the existing area.
The focus is on expanding the area certified as safe; promoting processing; strictly managing planting area codes; removing export difficulties and stabilizing output.
We identify the sustainable direction as improving quality and value. When quality is guaranteed, the market is stable and the environment is protected, durian truly becomes a "common joy" - not only in one crop season, but for the long journey ahead.
Thank you, sir!
