Thai durian, known as the “King of Fruits,” is a major export commodity, but growers continue to face challenges including immature fruit, plant diseases, insect pests, rising production costs, and stricter traceability requirements in international markets. To address these issues, the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) has integrated the expertise of its four national research centers—NANOTEC, NECTEC, MTEC, and BIOTEC—to develop innovations that strengthen Thai durian production across the entire supply chain.
At the upstream level, Plant Micronutrient Chelates developed by NANOTEC enhance nutrient absorption and improve plant growth, flowering, and fruit setting, while supporting environmentally friendly agriculture in line with the BCG Economy Model.
To protect fruit during the growing stage, NSTDA has introduced safer alternatives to chemical-intensive practices. Magik Growth durian wrapping bags from MTEC help protect fruits from pests, reduce chemical spraying, and improve fruit quality. Meanwhile, biocontrol-based pest and disease management developed by BIOTEC uses effective microorganisms to control major diseases and pests in durian orchards, promoting safer production and increasing the value of Thai durian as a premium fruit.
For quality assurance and export confidence, NSTDA has developed the N-sense portable analyzer by NANOTEC to detect Basic Yellow 2 (BY2) residues quickly and accurately on-site within 20 minutes. In addition, the Durian Trace cross-border traceability system by NECTEC allows partners and consumers to access orchard, harvest, and certification information through QR code scanning, strengthening transparency throughout the supply chain.
Through science, technology, and innovation, NSTDA is not only addressing immediate challenges in the durian sector, but also laying the foundation for smart, sustainable, and globally competitive Thai agriculture.