Standardising passion fruit growing areas to expand markets
Moving from experience-based cultivation to standardised production, large-scale passion fruit farms across the province are gradually building a foundation for quality, traceability and growing-area codes. They are also strengthening links with processors serving domestic and export markets.
From policy to production practices
The National Agricultural Extension Center recently organised capacity-building training for agricultural extension officials at all levels and community extension workers in Lam Dong.
The training focused on safe passion fruit production that meets quality standards and adapts to climate change. Farmers also received guidance throughout the entire process, from planting and crop care to harvesting, preliminary processing, storage and market linkages.
This approach demonstrates that growing-area codes are valuable only when production protocols are maintained, quality is controlled and traceability is ensured. These elements also provide a foundation for agricultural products to gradually meet the requirements of demanding markets.
The passion fruit model operated by Tran Van Tan's household in Nam Ha Lam Ha Commune demonstrates how production standardisation is being implemented directly in the fields.
Launched in April 2026, the model covers approximately 8,000 sq.m and features two main varieties: sweet purple and sour purple passion fruit. Production follows VietGAP standards and combines drip irrigation, automated fertigation and agricultural mulch.
These measures provide better control over water and nutrients, reduce labour requirements, suppress weeds and help maintain soil moisture. The model is expected to produce approximately 100 tonnes a year from the 8,000 sq.m area, with three harvests annually.
With an average selling price of around VND 15,000 per kilogram, the model is projected to generate a profit of more than VND 1 billion.
Model owner Tran Van Tan added: "This is the second year we have cultivated this grafted passion fruit variety on land converted from less productive crops. Approximately 1,500 plants are grown across 8,000 sq.m. "The plants begin producing fruit two months after planting and care, with annual output reaching approximately 100 tonnes. Of this volume, 10% is exported to Europe. The remaining 90% is sold domestically through traders and processing businesses within and outside the province."
Adding value to agricultural exports
An agricultural export company in Phu Son Lam Ha Commune has operated a processing plant since October 2024. Covering approximately 10,000 sq.m, the facility has an annual capacity exceeding 10,000 tonnes of products.
Most of its passion fruit is sourced from farms across the province that meet production standards. The plant applies rapid-freezing technology and post-harvest packaging processes. Its processed products meet the requirements of domestic and international markets.
The National Agricultural Extension Center recently connected the company with specialist agencies, producers and other agricultural businesses. This collaboration supports the consistent application of standardised procedures throughout the passion fruit export value chain.
Do Phan Tuan, Head of the Information and Communications Division at the National Agricultural Extension Center, said: "A stable production area with controlled processes and quality enables businesses to organise processing and distribution. Conversely, business and market requirements motivate producers to improve quality and standardise their processes."
This is also a key objective of the National Agricultural Extension Center. It supports growing-area and packing-facility codes while working with local authorities to develop production zones.
The centre also promotes value-chain production, safe operating procedures and compliance with domestic and export market requirements.
Accordingly, the centre transfers techniques for standardising passion fruit production, harvesting and storage. These measures improve compliance with quality standards and reduce production risks. It also helps farmers, cooperatives and businesses meet traceability and food safety requirements. Further support focuses on maintaining growing-area and packing-facility codes.
This represents a significant shift from experience-based cultivation towards standardised production with quality controls and traceability. The transition will increase added value and strengthen the competitiveness of passion fruit products.
"Standardising production areas is not merely about completing procedures to obtain growing-area and packing-facility codes. It must be tied to standardised procedures for production, harvesting, preliminary processing, processing, packaging and storage. This represents a shift in production methods, with quality beginning at the farm, traceability starting in production areas and markets connected with production..."
Vu Dinh Cuong, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment