Experts from 10 Countries Collaborate to Advance Climate Adaptation Strategies in Tropical Fruit Production
The Tropical Fruit Consortium 2025, jointly organized by FFTC, VAAS (Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Sciences), and SOFRI (Southern Horticultural Research Institute), successfully concluded a three-day workshop from May 21–23 in southern Vietnam. The event brought together 26 fruit experts from 10 countries, in addition to researchers from the organizing institutions, to observe climate-smart practices in Vietnam’s fruit regions and strengthen collaboration on developing a guidebook for climate change adaptation in tropical fruit production across participating countries.
Field Observations: Climate Risks and Realities
Over two days, participants visited key tropical fruit-producing areas in Tiền Giang and Bến Tre provinces, including durian, dragon fruit, pummelo, and coconut orchards, as well as export warehouses.
The field visits vividly highlighted the environmental challenges these crops face due to climate change:
- Durian: Increased sensitivity to waterlogging and root diseases due to erratic rainfall.
- Pummelo: Vulnerability to salinity intrusion and drought stress, especially in the Mekong Delta.
- Dragon Fruit: Storm damage and fungal diseases, worsened by unseasonal humidity and temperature extremes.
- Coconut: Long-term threats from rising salinity and prolonged dry spells, particularly in low-lying coastal zones.
Despite these risks, farmers and local experts showcased innovative adaptative practices in irrigation, soil and diseases management, and varietal selection that demonstrated promising adaptive responses on the ground.
Forum Highlights: Knowledge Exchange and Regional Collaboration
The third day of the event featured a forum held at SOFRI, where participants shared national insights, progress updates, and practical tools to advance climate resilience in fruit production.
Key Outcomes:
- Overview Presentation: A comprehensive update on the Vietnam tropical fruit industry outlined production trends, export markets, and environmental stressors.
- 7 Country Reports on the Adaptation Framework: Representatives from Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Taiwan presented their adaptation frameworks for priority tropical fruits developed by in-country working group.
- 2 Crop-Specific Reports from India: Technical presentations on mango and pummelo production in India offered insights into climate impacts and innovative field-level responses.
Panel Discussion: From Knowledge to Action
A vibrant panel discussion, featuring 4 experts from New Zealand, Malaysia, and Taiwan, catalyzed dialogue around:
- Farmers’ adaptive capacity in the face of climate uncertainty.
- Effective ways to promote and apply the Adaptation Practices Guidebook, to be developed collaboratively under the DFNet Project.
Panelists emphasized the importance of farmer education, localized, farmer-centered solutions, strengthened extension networks, and technology-driven platforms to ensure science-based practices reach those who need them most.
Looking Forward
The Tropical Fruit Consortium 2025 in Vietnam represents a pivotal step in strengthening regional cooperation, advancing the development of the Adaptative Practices Guidebook, and empowering fruit farmers with actionable and climate-resilient knowledge.
The next DFNet Workshop is scheduled to be held in the Philippines from November 25-27, 2025.
More Information:
- DFNet Workshop: https://km.fftc.org.tw/workshop/38
- DFNet Project: https://net.fftc.org.tw/dfnet
Visit Site (1): Durian Orchard in Ngũ Hiệp commune, Cai Lậy district, Tiền Giang province, Vietnam
Visit Site (2): Durian Export Warehouse, Cai Lậy district, Tiền Giang province, Vietnam
Visit Site (3): Red-flesh Dragon Fruit Orchard in Tân Bình Thạnh commune, Chợ Gạo district, Tiền Giang province, Vietnam
Visit Site (3): Red-flesh Dragon Fruit Orchard in Tân Bình Thạnh commune, Chợ Gạo district, Tiền Giang province, Vietnam
Visit Site (4): Green-Skin Pomelo Orchard in Tiên Long commune, Chau Thanh district, Ben Tre province, Vietnam
Visit Site (5): Durian Orchard of Tiên Long Cooperative in Tiên Long commune, Chau Thanh district, Ben Tre province, Vietnam
Visit Site (6): Coconut Orchard in Phong Nẫm commune, Giồng Trôm district, Bến Tre province, Vietnam
Visit Site (7): Fresh fruits trading and warehouse (Green Powers Ltd. Company) in Sơn Phú commune, Giồng Trôm district, Bến Tre province, Vietnam
DFNet Forum at SOFRI
