Supporting farmers to grow durian effectively
Durian is currently the crop with the highest economic value, so it is considered the king of crops by people in the durian capital of Dak Mil.
Previously, Mr. Trieu Van Chi’s family in Dak Mil district had about 1 hectare of land for growing coffee. Two years ago, Mr. Chi learned from other farmers in the area to intercrop durian trees in the coffee garden.
Although he has no experience, Mr. Chi still grows durian with the hope of having a high income like other farmers to have money to raise his children and send them to school.
Mr. Chi shared: "I grew durian completely naturally because I simply thought that this type of plant would produce fruit and then harvest it to sell to traders. However, after planting, my family's durian tree did not grow as expected. I asked an agricultural officer and found out that I did not fully understand the techniques of fertilizing, caring for, and irrigating the plant to ensure technical standards."
According to Mr. Chi, this is the reason why he is determined to participate in the vocational training class on durian planting and care techniques organized by the Dak Mil District Vocational Education - Continuing Education Center.
In the class, in addition to theoretical training, Mr. Chi also received hands-on instruction from teachers and directly practiced the steps of care, seed selection, fertilization... to develop durian trees.
"Durian trees currently have high economic value. My wish after completing my apprenticeship is to master the science and technology to effectively develop this crop to increase my family's income," Mr. Chi shared.
Similarly, Mr. Trieu Van Kim, in Dak Mil district, also grows durian intercropped in his coffee garden. However, Mr. Kim's durian has not yet reached its highest yield, and has not brought about effective economic efficiency for his family.
To improve the situation, Mr. Kim enrolled in a vocational course on durian growing and care techniques. Up to now, Mr. Kim has mastered the basic techniques, how to prune branches, fertilize at the right time... for the plants to grow effectively.
According to the Dak Mil District Vocational Education and Continuing Education Center, in addition to teaching techniques for planting and caring for durian trees, in 2024, the unit set a goal of organizing vocational training to reach the target of 420 people.
Of which, 280 people are at the elementary level; 140 people are supported with regular vocational training under 3 months.
Vocational training linked to local development realities
Mr. Nguyen Huu Tuyen - Director of the Center for Vocational Education - Continuing Education of Dak Mil district shared: "Currently, vocational training in the locality still faces many difficulties and challenges in recruitment and vocational training".
According to Mr. Tuyen, overcoming these difficulties, in the coming time, the Centre will focus on training in professions related to the socio-economic development needs of the locality.
For example, improving farmers' skills to develop local agricultural strengths with key crops of high economic value such as coffee, pepper, durian...
From there, the Centre wishes to contribute to the construction and formation of a team of professional farmers so that they can become the main force in the process of developing and building Dak Mil homeland to become more civilized and prosperous.
"One of the highlights in the 2024 enrollment plan of the Dak Mil District Vocational Education and Continuing Education Center is to support 100% of training costs and pay an additional 30,000 VND/day of actual study for students who are beneficiaries" - Mr. Nguyen Huu Tuyen - Director of the Dak Mil District Vocational Education and Continuing Education Center added.