Positive signals from 1 million hectares of high-quality, low-emission rice project

Increasing profits for farmers

In the 2024 Autumn-Winter crop, Hung Tan Agricultural Cooperative (Hung Thanh commune, Tan Hung district) piloted a model of high-quality rice cultivation to reduce emissions, applying a border-effect seeding machine and burying fertilizer on an area of ​​15 hectares with 4 participating farmers. Farmers implemented the model using 80kg/hectare of seed and 200kg/hectare of fertilizer.

With this production method, farmers both reduce the amount of seeds and ensure no fertilizing in the first 45 days of sowing. Burying fertilizer also contributes to reducing losses and greenhouse effect.

After more than 3 months of sowing, the pilot rice area of Mr. Le Van Ngay - a member of Hung Tan Agricultural Cooperative, has been harvested.

Mr. Ngay shared that he was trained in advanced farming science and techniques, applied sparse sowing, buried fertilization, reduced number of sprayings of pesticides, etc to reduce production costs.

He assessed that the yield and quality of the 2024 Autumn-Winter rice crop are still guaranteed, and profits are higher than traditional farming methods.

"From sowing to harvesting, I do not have to spray for pests or planthoppers, only spray for diseases. Although sparse sowing, the rice flowers are large, the grains are firm and bright, the rice plants are strong, and they rarely fall over" - Mr. Le Van Ngay shared.

The yield and quality of rice in the model are guaranteed, farmers have higher profits of 3-10 million VND/hectare compared to outside the model

Director of Hung Tan Agricultural Cooperative - Ngan Van Phi assessed that farmers participating in the pilot model strictly followed the cultivation process according to the instructions, recorded full production logs and did not add fertilizer or spray pesticides when not really necessary.

Therefore, the rice yield of the model is 100-120 kg/hectare higher; production costs are 1.7-2.54 million VND/hectare lower than outside the model. With the selling price of rice of 8,500 VND/kg, the profit is 21-28 million VND/hectare, 3-10 million VND/hectare higher than outside the model.

When implementing the model, the cooperative has many advantages and difficulties. In terms of advantages, the cooperative is supported by MTK Huu Thanh Fertilizer Company and Tu Sang One Member Co. Ltd. with 50% of the cost of sowing and fertilizing, thus reducing production costs.

In terms of difficulties, due to the impact of the weather, land preparation and seed removal have not been as effective as expected.

The cooperative hopes that in the coming time, the provincial and district Departments of Agriculture will support quality rice seeds to improve production efficiency for farmers - Mr. Phi said.

Focus on implementation

According to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the province is implementing the project in 8 districts and towns. In which, in phase 1 (2024-2025), the province focuses on consolidating the existing areas of the Vietnam Sustainable Agriculture Transformation (VnSAT) project of 60,000 hectares.

Phase 2 (2026-2030), the province will specifically identify key areas to establish investment projects to develop new high-quality, low-emission specialized rice areas (outside the VnSAT Project area) and will expand by 65,000 hectares, aiming for 125,000 hectares by 2030.

Leaders of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and leaders of the Tan Hung District People's Committee survey the model of High-quality, low-emission rice cultivation at Hung Tan Agricultural Cooperative (Hung Thanh Commune, Tan Hung District)

The project aims to form a high-quality, low-emission specialized rice area associated with reorganizing the production system according to the value chain, applying sustainable farming processes, thereby reducing production costs, increasing value, developing the rice industry sustainably, improving production efficiency, business, income and life of rice growers, protecting the environment, adapting to climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

According to Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development - Nguyen Thanh Truyen, the initial implementation had many difficulties and obstacles. However, with the determination and participation of the entire political system, especially the participation of cooperatives, agencies and enterprises, and many years of building a specialized rice growing area applying high technology and implementing the VnSAT Project, he believes that the province will successfully implement the project.

Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee - Nguyen Minh Lam requested that localities in the region implementing the project need to proactively develop plans, arrange funds to complete the initial conditions; closely coordinate with relevant units and enterprises to remove difficulties and obstacles in the process of deployment and implementation; support and develop cooperatives, train cooperative management human resources, upgrade infrastructure to participate in the sustainable rice production value chain./.

By Staffs - Translated by Q. Thien

Source: https://baolongan.vn/nhung-tin-hieu-tich-cuc-tu-de-an-1-trieu-hecta-lua-chat-luong-cao-phat-thai-thap-a188355.html