Dong Thap and PAN 'join hands' to reduce fertilizers, pesticides, and emissions

Strive to reduce at least 30% of chemical fertilizers and pesticides

PAN Group Joint Stock Company and Dong Thap Provincial People's Committee have just signed a memorandum of understanding to cooperate in building and implementing the project "Improving rice growers’ income." The project’s goal is to form and develop a multi-value rice chain, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and increase income for farmers.

The signing ceremony took place at the Talkshow "The Assembly Hall Accompanies the Socio-Economic Development of Dong Thap" with the participation of nearly 300 delegates from central and local levels, along with international organizations (FAO, USAID, UNESCO, WB, UNDP, etc.). Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan and Chairman of Dong Thap Provincial People's Committee Pham Thien Nghia co-chaired the Talkshow and witnessed the signing ceremony.

At the signing ceremony, PAN Group Joint Stock Company said it would accompany Dong Thap province to build and implement the project "Improving rice growers' income," thereby providing sustainable solutions to build a closed value chain in the rice industry.

Specifically, the project will support the improvement of rice farming techniques, promote the use of copyrighted varieties, and strive to reduce the amount of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in rice production. Strengthen the consumption linkage and build brands of agricultural products for farmers in Dong Thap province. The project has an important connection with the Government's project on "Sustainable development of one million hectares specializing in high-quality and low-emission rice cultivation associated with green growth in the Mekong Delta until 2030.”

Accordingly, the project aims to increase rice growers’ income in Dong Thap province by 2025, with a vision for 2030. Specifically, by 2025, profits for local rice growers will increase by over 30% of total revenue, and profit margins will increase by 30% compared to 2022, equivalent to VND 3,600 billion. The rice growing area that ensures a profit increase will reach 240,000 hectares (accounting for 50% of the growing area/year).

The project also aims to increase the rate of applying synchronous mechanization by using cluster seeding machines; increase the rate of mechanization in sowing with machines to 50% of the area; and apply drones to at least 70% of the area when spraying pesticides. Reduce the amount of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in rice production by 30% or more compared to 2020. At the same time, rice straw collected, reused, and processed will reach over 80% of the harvested area.

Aiming for a common goal of reducing emissions

PAN Group participates in the project through its member units in the agricultural field, including Vietnam Fumigation JSC (VFC), Vietnam National Seed Group JSC (Vinaseed), and Vietnam Rice Co., Ltd. (Vinarice, a member of Vinaseed). Accordingly, PAN Group's units will coordinate with the Dong Thap Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to provide sustainable farming solutions to support farmers and, at the same time, guide farmers on standard production processes that help increase productivity and quality.

Regarding rice varieties, PAN’s members will coordinate closely with Dong Thap province to build a seasonal structure and rice variety structure suitable for each ecological region.

Regarding technology, the Group will transfer advanced technology and organize training programs to enhance knowledge for farmers in the process of building and implementing plans for sustainable quality rice seed and commercial rice production. Provide materials and technical support to farmers to ensure the production process takes place according to set standards.

Regarding pesticides, the unit will provide high-quality pesticide products with clear origins from reputable suppliers around the world at preferential prices. At the same time, it will instruct people on spraying techniques and how to use pesticides properly to save costs and ensure health safety.

Regarding the consumption linkage, PAN will support the consumption of products that comply with the correct farming procedures and techniques and meet quality standards in the areas deployed by the Group. In addition, the Group will proactively invite leading partners in the fields of fertilizer, high-tech agriculture, etc. to participate in cooperation within the project’s scope.

Sharing about the project, Ms. Nguyen Thi Tra My, General Director of PAN Group, said: PAN Group will work with Dong Thap province to build a closed value chain model that provides farmers with sustainable agricultural solutions, from the input of quality seeds and standard farming processes to pest prevention and control solutions, then consuming and building brands for final agricultural products.

"The solutions aim to minimize input costs while maximizing productivity and quality, from which we expect to achieve two important goals: reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the agriculture sector and especially increasing income for people," said Ms. Tra My.

According to Mr. Truong Cong Cu, General Director of VFC, the cooperation between Dong Thap province and PAN Group opens new opportunities for Dong Thap farmers, helping rice growers access advanced methods and modern techniques. More importantly, with PAN Group’s strong participation, it is expected that the project will create a transformation in thinking and production practices for farmers about agriculture in general and the rice industry in particular. Thereby moving from traditional rice production to a higher level where the value of rice is increased in a sustainable linkage chain, both ensuring increased income for producers and improving environmental quality.

Mr. Nguyen Van Ret, Chairman of Dong Thuan Assembly Hall (Ba Sao commune, Cao Lanh district, Dong Thap province), said that the Assembly Hall has 62 members and a rice production area of more than 100 hectares. Over the past time, people in the Assembly Hall have gradually applied technical measures to improve quality, reduce production costs, and especially reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Currently, the Safe Rice Cooperative Group of Dong Thuan Assembly Hall has simultaneously applied the plowing and burying technique and used Trichoderma fungus to decompose rice straw, creating organic fertilizer for the soil. In addition, farmers also reduce inorganic fertilizers by 50%, use 50% more organic fertilizers, and reduce the number of spraying times, thereby saving costs and increasing profits.

With the project “Increasing rice growers’ income” implemented by PAN Group in cooperation with Dong Thap province, Mr. Nguyen Van Ret, Chairman of Dong Thuan Assembly Hall, assessed that this is an extremely practical and useful program for people. He said he would call on people to participate to expand the area of safe and quality rice production.