Mr. Phan Van Tha inspected his five-year-old durian orchard, which is currently bearing fruit, in Thanh Trung hamlet, Tan Bien commune, Tay Ninh province. 

The natural-oriented durian cultivation model developed by Mr. Phan Van Tha in Tan Bien commune spans 50 hectares, including 15 hectares currently in production, and has demonstrated outstanding efficiency compared to many other farming models in the area.

Tan Bien commune is characterized mainly by degraded gray soil, sandy soil, and sandy loam soil, which are low in nutrients and have poor water-retention capacity. In the past, durian cultivation in the locality faced numerous challenges because the trees often suffered from moisture deficiency, nutrient depletion, and pest infestations. In particular, the phenomenon of shoot dieback after harvest occurred quite commonly, weakening the trees, reducing productivity, and causing economic losses for growers.

Facing these challenges, Mr. Phan Van Tha, drawing on many years of farming experience, boldly converted 50 hectares of land previously used to cultivate rubber, pomelo, and rambutan into a natural-oriented durian plantation, achieving encouraging initial results.

According to Mr. Tha, for a durian farming model to achieve sustainable effectiveness, it is essential to follow the principle of “nurturing the soil before nurturing the trees,” while minimizing dependence on chemical fertilizers.

Due to the land characteristics, which mainly consist of sandy loam soil with poor nutrient content and low organic matter, Mr. Phan Van Tha researched and applied soil improvement techniques by creating raised planting beds with proper drainage systems. This solution not only helped the durian trees grow well and reduced the risk of root rot, but also facilitated cultivation and harvesting activities.

In addition, he focused on using organic fertilizers such as treated cow manure, combined with beneficial microorganisms and organic compost, to improve soil quality. At the same time, he developed a balanced ecosystem among “trees – soil – grass” following a natural cultivation approach. This method helped loosen the soil, maintain moisture levels, minimize heat stress during the dry season, and reduce nutrient leaching, thereby improving the trees’ natural resistance.

Water management was carried out flexibly according to each growth stage of the trees. During the rainy season, the orchard was equipped with an effective drainage system to prevent waterlogging, while in the dry season, maintaining stable moisture levels was essential. After each harvest, Mr. Phan Van Tha pruned branches, applied recovery fertilizers, and supplemented micronutrients to help the trees quickly recover and produce healthy new shoots.

Thanks to the synchronized application of technical solutions in orchard design, soil improvement, irrigation, and pest management, Mr. Phan Van Tha’s durian orchard has developed many outstanding advantages. The trees grow vigorously, the root systems develop strongly, and the pest infestation rate has been significantly reduced. Both yield and fruit quality have improved, meeting market demand, especially the growing consumer preference for safe agricultural products.

It can be seen that Mr. Phan Van Tha’s natural-oriented durian farming model is highly suitable for the soil conditions in Tan Bien commune . This serves as a valuable practical model that local agricultural authorities should continue to promote and replicate in order to develop sustainable and efficient agriculture throughout the province.