A boost for high-tech agriculture in Moc Chau

The project "Smart Agriculture for Future Generations", funded by the South Korean government through the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and approved by the People's Committee of Son La Province for implementation by the Institute of Vegetable Research (Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Sciences - Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) in the province. After 3 years of implementation, the project has built a sustainable agricultural ecosystem benefiting 34 farming households.

According to experts from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), after three years of project implementation, the local farmers in Moc Chau have significantly improved their agricultural practices, elevating their production techniques to a new level. In the past, farmers in the region used slow-release granular fertilizers, applying them directly to the soil surface. They would then use irrigation systems, such as sprinkler hoses, to gradually wash the fertilizer into the soil. This method not only led to fertilizer runoff, reducing its effectiveness, but it also contributed to environmental pollution, especially by allowing the fertilizer to seep into and contaminate the groundwater. 

However, over the span of three years, through consistent technical guidance from project experts, the farmers have become proficient in using water-soluble fertilizers. This shift has allowed them to optimize their resource usage, leading to significant savings on agricultural inputs. Additionally, the new fertilization methods have proven to be far more effective, resulting in vegetables that have a higher yield and better quality compared to previous practices. 

Furthermore, the project has enabled the farmers to diversify their crops by introducing new varieties such as bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, baby cucumbers, melons and muskmelons. These new crops have been grown from grafted seedlings, which are known for producing higher yields and better quality products than the mass-produced seedlings the farmers had previously relied on. 

In addition to introducing new crops, the project has invested in upgrading three vegetable seedling nurseries. These nurseries have been equipped with modern infrastructure, including greenhouse structures, seedling tray racks, coir grinding machines, automatic seed sowing machines, sterilization ovens for growing media and advanced spray irrigation systems. To further strengthen local production, the project has also provided grafting technique training to the nursery owners, enabling them to produce high-quality, grafted seedlings. These seedlings are then supplied to the vegetable production areas in Moc Chau.

The villagers have also mastered greenhouse management technologies, becoming true high-tech agricultural workers. They are proficient in controlling the shading net system, actively maintaining heat in the greenhouse during winter; they know how to prune branches, lower plants, supplement pollination and manage pests scientifically.

Notably, the bell pepper - a high-end vegetable traditionally grown only in Da Lat - has now been successfully cultivated in Moc Chau, bringing significant economic value to the local farmers involved in the project. Bell peppers are expected to be a promising crop for vegetable farmers in Moc Chau.

The farmers have also gained full control over greenhouse management technologies, transforming into skilled high-tech agricultural workers. They are now capable of operating the shade net systems, ensuring the maintenance of optimal temperatures inside the greenhouses during the winter months. In addition, they have learned the proper techniques for pruning branches, lowering plant heights, performing supplemental pollination and scientifically managing pest control.

The project has successfully trialed soil-free vegetable cultivation models with crops such as tomatoes, bell peppers, and melons, using coconut coir as a growing medium, as well as hydroponic technology for growing lettuce. These trials, combined with hands-on technical training sessions and field visits for participating farmers, have been instrumental in introducing advanced farming techniques to the local agricultural community in Moc Chau. As a result, there has been a noticeable shift towards adopting higher-tech methods for vegetable production. In the near future, some of the participating households are expected to become pioneers in implementing these advanced technologies within their greenhouses, paving the way for even greater prospects in high-tech vegetable farming in the region.

Farmers have also learned to collaborate and share knowledge, enabling them to select the most appropriate crops for each greenhouse environment and season. Unlike traditional outdoor farming, which is highly dependent on weather conditions, greenhouse farmers in Moc Chau can now take a more proactive approach. They are able to select crops that are not only well-suited to greenhouse environments but also have high economic value. Furthermore, they can determine the best planting seasons, which provides them with a significant competitive advantage in the market and allows them to achieve higher economic returns from their production.

Regarding the ability of Moc Chau farmers to adopt high-tech agricultural models, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) experts evaluate that Moc Chau farmers in particular and Son La farmers in general are very diligent, hardworking, and eager to learn to advance. The project has been very favorable as it has had all the necessary conditions to achieve success. The households were able to visit some of the exemplary net houses in the project. At the same time, organizing for farmers to take practical tours in Da Lat, thereby helping the cooperatives and exemplary production households of the project to draw experiences and improve their net houses.

The project has implemented several technical training sessions specifically designed for greenhouse cultivation conditions, such as: grafting technology training at the Vegetable and Fruit Research Institute (FAVRI) for three nursery owners; fertilizer mixing techniques; pruning and lowering techniques; and techniques for controlling major pests and diseases (Ralstonia bacterial wilt, collar rot, Fusarium wilt, root-knot nematodes, South American tomato leaf miner, thrips, whiteflies, aphids, etc.).

Other components of the project include soil-free vegetable production technology (using coconut coir and hydroponics), post-harvest processing technology, market linkages for product consumption, online business platforms, pesticide exposure alerts and health impact considerations related to gender.