Building 50 models of key crops using safe pesticides

Currently, along with maintaining and improving productivity and output, the agricultural sector also sets the goal of building and implementing goods development tasks effectively and sustainably, with low emissions in the direction of circular economic, intelligent, and adaptive climate change. In addition, its transparency and accountability must be ensured.

To carry out those tasks, the Plant Protection Department (Pesticide Protection - Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) signed and coordinated with many businesses on the content "Commitment to cooperate in implementing guidelines for safe use of pesticides and effective; development of production and use of biological pesticides” in the 5-year period from 2021 to 2025.

On June 10, the Plant Protection Department signed a cooperation plan with Corteva Agriscience Vietnam Co., Ltd ('Corteva Vietnam') to encourage the participation of enterprises producing and trading pesticides and using pesticides responsibly, safely, and effectively towards safe and sustainable agriculture, contributing value to society, bringing benefits to farmers and businesses.

Specifically, the two units will train and guide farmers on the safe, effective, and responsible use of pesticides, prioritize the use of biological pesticides and reduce the use of chemical pesticides in the field.

Also, organize training and commit with agents to trade in pesticides to ensure quality, traceability, transparency of information and brands, and guide farmers to use pesticides responsibly, safely, and effectively, following regulations.

In addition, building production models according to value chains, models of safe and effective use of pesticides in the direction of ecological agriculture.

Besides, it expands production and strengthens the development of biological pesticide products in agricultural production.

In the 2022 - 2025 period, according to the commitment and plan of the Department of Plant Protection and Corteva of Vietnam, it is expected to deploy 50 models of safe and effective use of pesticides with an area of about 20 hectares on key crops such as rice, coffee, pepper, fruit trees, vegetables..., also to develop the registration and use of biological pesticides; organized training for more than 3,000 classes with 60,000 farmers and pesticide dealers participating. The total estimated cost of implementation is VND 18 billion.

According to Mr. Hoang Trung, Director of the Plant Protection Department, the contents signed between the two units are essential: "The coordination programs between the Department and the Vietnam Croplife Association in general and Corteva Vietnam have been providing basic methods of using pesticides for the people. The localities highly appreciate the knowledge that the training programs bring."

In addition, pesticide trading agents are also trained to advise farmers on the proper selection of pesticides, following regulations directly. In the next period, programs must be implemented substantively, effectively, and carefully reviewed and evaluated.

"In the coming time, for people to work towards building safe and effective models as well as using biological pesticides is the content that the Plant Protection Department is particularly interested in", said Director Hoang Trung.

In addition, Mr. Hoang Trung also highly appreciated the information and new technologies shared by Corterva Vietnam over the past time and wished to coordinate with the Department to contribute to the development of legal documents appropriately and effectively in the coming period.

Regarding the cooperation program between the Plant Protection Department and Corterva Vietnam, Mr. Dang Van Bao, President of Vietnam Croplife Association and General Director of Corterva Vietnam, said that the coordination between state management agencies and the Units and enterprises in the safe and responsible use of pesticides play a critical role.

"Our responsibility is to ensure the provision of solutions for farmers to use pesticides at the right dose, safely and effectively to protect the living environment, towards the development of the agricultural industry in a sustainable way", shared Mr. Dang Van Bao.