A new international research project co-led by UQ is helping future‑proof Vietnam’s high‑value fruit industry against climate change by improving pollination outcomes in durian and mango orchards.
Led by Dr T. Thang Vo‑Doan, a biorobotics engineer from UQ’s School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering, the VietFruitRise project has received $544,240 in funding from Aus4Innovation to support farmers in the Mekong Delta facing increasing climate pressures.
The project brings together expertise from The University of Queensland, the University of Southern Queensland, VinUniversity and RYNAN Technologies Vietnam to develop practical tools that help farmers respond to changing orchard conditions.
Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, salinity intrusion and extreme weather are threatening productivity across the region, particularly for smallholder farmers who rely on consistent flowering and pollination for stable yields.
Dr Vo‑Doan said the impacts are already being felt on the ground.
“We’re seeing shifts in flowering timing, reduced pollinator activity, and more uncertainty in fruit set,” he said.
“Climate change is also placing added pressure on beneficial insects that support pollination and natural pest control, making it much harder for farmers to predict yields and manage their orchards effectively.”
The challenge is compounded by declining populations of beneficial insects due to habitat loss and pesticide exposure, weakening both natural pollination and pest control systems.
Co‑investigator Dr Mai Thanh Thai from VinUniversity in Hanoi said smallholder farmers are particularly vulnerable to these changes.
“When pollination becomes unreliable, it directly affects both productivity and income stability,” Dr Thai said.
“Farmers need better tools to understand what’s happening in their orchards in real time.”
The VietFruitRise project is developing an AI‑powered pollination management system that combines field‑based monitoring with predictive analytics. The system tracks pollinator and beneficial insect activity, flowering patterns and orchard conditions, delivering timely, data‑driven guidance through a bilingual digital platform.
“Our aim is to move beyond manual observation to a more informed, data‑driven approach,” Dr Vo‑Doan said.
“We want to give farmers clear, timely guidance so they can anticipate pollination risks, respond to insect declines, and manage their orchards more effectively under changing climate conditions..”
The system will be deployed and trialled in both durian and mango orchards, alongside practical training for farmers, cooperatives and extension officers to support adoption and long‑term use.
“It’s not just about the technology, it’s about making sure people can use it confidently and effectively,” Dr Thai said.
“We’re working closely with local communities to ensure the system fits their needs.”
RYNAN Technology Vietnam, a consortium partner, said the project highlights the value of cross-sector collaboration in building more sustainable farming systems.
“We’re proud to combine Australian expertise with Vietnamese innovation to help smallholder farmers use smart technology to increase productivity and protect natural resources,” the company said.
The project also prioritises gender equality and social inclusion, supporting accessibility for women, smallholder farmers and underserved groups, with the aim of enabling broader uptake across Vietnam’s fruit sector.
“By strengthening pollination systems, we’re supporting both productivity and environmental resilience,” Dr Vo‑Doan said.
“This is about helping farming communities adapt and thrive in the face of climate change.”
This project was made possible through the Aus4Innovation program. Launched in 2018, Aus4Innovation is a ten-year A$33.5 million flagship program aimed at strengthening Vietnam’s innovation system to support inclusive and sustainable socio-economic development.
