Across communes in the region, growers are shifting away from traditional, experience-based farming toward VietGAP- and GlobalGAP-compliant methods. The transition includes the use of greenhouses, drip irrigation systems and controlled nutrient management, helping reduce risks, improve yields and meet market requirements.
In Ia Hrú commune, farmer Phạm Hữu Cơ has emerged as an early adopter. After starting melon cultivation in 2017, he expanded operations in 2022 with an investment of around VND 300 million (about USD 12,000) to build greenhouses and install irrigation systems.
His 2,500-square-metre farm now produces 3–3.5 tonnes per sào per crop, with three harvests annually. At prices of VND 30,000–35,000 per kilogram (about USD 1.2–1.4), profits average roughly VND 70 million (about USD 2,800) per sào per crop.
The use of controlled environments has improved crop consistency, reduced pest incidence and ensured stable output quality, enabling more reliable market access and higher returns.
Similar models are spreading across the region as farmers invest in modern inputs such as coconut fiber substrates and water-saving irrigation. The shift toward standardized production is helping move agriculture away from fragmented, weather-dependent practices toward integration into higher-value supply chains.
Market linkages have also played a crucial role. In Chư Păh commune, farmer Cao Như Duẩn operates 1.7 hectares of VietGAP-certified passion fruit in partnership with an export company. His farm supplies 2-2.5 tonnes weekly to Ho Chi Minh City buyers at prices ranging from VND 30,000 to VND 77,000 per kilogram (about USD 1.2–3.1). He said initial investment costs can be recovered after one crop, with subsequent harvests generating profits of VND 500–700 million (about USD 20,000–28,000).
In Bờ Ngoong commune, Trần Văn Vĩnh maintains seven hectares of Rainforest Alliance-certified coffee, alongside pepper, durian and macadamia. His farm avoids herbicides and prioritizes organic fertilizers. This year, he harvested 26 tonnes of coffee and received a bonus exceeding VND 50 million (about USD 2,000) for meeting sustainability standards.
Provincial authorities report that by the end of 2025, Gia Lai will have more than 70,675 hectares of crops certified under various standards, including VietGAP, GlobalGAP, 4C and Rainforest Alliance, along with nearly 200 hectares of organic farming.
Photo: N.D
The expansion of clean agriculture reflects a broader transition toward a modern, market-oriented and sustainable farming economy in western Gia Lai, laying the groundwork for large-scale production zones and stronger integration into domestic and international markets.