Project of 1 million hectares of high-quality, low-emission rice - Revolution on the fields: Forming new-style fields

Forming new-style fields

After more than 1 year of implementing the Project on Sustainable Development of 1 million hectares of high-quality and low-emission rice cultivation associated with green growth in the Mekong Delta by 2030, the rice fields in the province have gradually put on a new, modern, synchronous and sustainable green coat. Aside from the change in farming methods, the project also brings about a comprehensive transformation in appearance, infrastructure and ecological environment in key rice production areas.

Automatic water level sensors installed in the fields implementing the project

Greener, cleaner fields

In many fields, there is no longer widespread spraying of pesticides or fertilizing based on intuition. Thanks to the application of smart farming processes, the amount of seeds, fertilizers and pesticides has been significantly reduced, helping to protect the soil, water and air.

Director of Hung Phat Agricultural Service Cooperative (Hung Dien commune, Tan Hung district) - Vo Van Cop said: “In the Summer-Autumn crop of 2025, the District Agricultural Extension and Agricultural Service Center selected the cooperative as a point to implement the project with an area of ​​25 hectares, with 7 participating members. Currently, the rice crop is 40 days old, growing well, only rice blast disease appears at a low rate. Up to this point, all areas participating have reduced 3 times of spraying pesticides and 50kg of fertilizer/hectare compared to outside the model. Farmers participating are very excited because of the promise of a bumper crop.”

Previously, farmers did their own thing and did not coordinate closely. But when participating in the DA, farmers discussed the days of pumping and draining water to simultaneously apply the alternating flooding and drying irrigation model, thereby saving 20-30% of irrigation water, limiting methane emissions - a greenhouse gas with a heat capacity dozens of times higher than CO₂. The fields become cleaner, microorganisms in the soil recover, beneficial insects also gradually return.

Mr. Nguyen Van Anh - a member of Hung Phat Agricultural Service Cooperative, shared: "Pumping water simultaneously helps save costs, reduce labor. Water does not leak into other fields, golden apple snails are controlled. Sowing simultaneously also limits rats from biting and destroying the plants."

Modern machinery and equipment are present throughout the fields. Hand labor is gradually disappearing because the fields are almost completely mechanized in all stages of cultivation. Rice transplanters, seeders, pesticide spraying drones, combine harvesters, etc. are becoming more and more popular. Using smart devices not only helps reduce labor but also increases productivity, ensuring uniformity in rice quality. Notably, many regions are also piloting the use of sensors, weather stations, and production management software to optimize the farming process. Vice Chairman of Tan Thanh District People's Committee - Le Phuoc Ven informed: "Currently, the whole district is implementing 9 models with a total area of ​​over 100 hectares in 9 communes participating in the Project on Sustainable Development of 1 million hectares of high-quality and low-emission rice cultivation associated with green growth in the Mekong Delta by 2030. The areas participating are 100% mechanized. In particular, farmers also keep field diaries, actively participate in training courses on science and technology transfer, and learn from the experiences of the model. This shows that the project is bringing positive effects, creating a great spread to the community. The district strives to have 2,640 hectares of rice participating in the project by 2030,"

Forming a green production ecosystem

One of the notable changes is taking advantage of post-harvest waste. Straw is no longer burned but is collected to compost organic fertilizer, grow mushrooms or sell to biomass energy production enterprises, contributing to reducing air pollution and increasing farmers' income.

Head of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Thanh Hoa district - Nguyen Kinh Kha said: "Previously, straw was often burned, which was both wasteful and caused air pollution. When participating in project, farmers gradually changed their awareness. In the last Winter-Spring crop, farmers in the district collected nearly 60% of the straw after harvest. In the coming time, the district will coordinate with cooperatives to expand the model of collecting and processing by-products, aiming for a circular, low-emission agriculture."

Production models are also gradually linked to the value chain: Rice is traceable from the stages of seed selection, cultivation, harvesting to processing and consumption. Thanks to that, the field is not only a place for planting but also an important link in the modern, sustainable agricultural chain.

General Director of MTK Huu Thanh Joint Stock Company - Truong Thanh Trung said: “In Long An, the company supports the border-effect seeding machine combined with buried fertilizer for 8 pilot models of the province. During this time, the company is ready to provide technical support to farmers, committed to providing optimal nutritional solutions, suitable for the soil characteristics of each region and ensuring the stable development of crops.”

From above, the rice fields in the project look like a uniform, orderly and vibrant green carpet. It is not only a change in the landscape but also the result of a transformation process from awareness, practice to production organization. The 1 million hectare project is turning traditional fields into new-style fields - where technology, modern management and sustainable agricultural ecology converge. This is the foundation for the Vietnamese rice industry to grow stronger in the global value chain./.

By Staffs - Translated by Q. Thien

Source: https://baolongan.vn/de-an-1-trieu-hecta-lua-chat-luong-cao-phat-thai-thap-cuoc-cach-mang-tren-dong-ruong-hinh-thanh-nhung-canh-dong-kieu-moi-bai-2--a196056.html