Farmers eager to participate in the project for one million hectares of rice

An increase of 100 to 150 VND per kilogram for low-emission rice

A delegation from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, led by Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam, conducted a field survey on August 29 to inspect the rice production model under the "Sustainable Development Project for one million hectares of specialized, low-emission high-quality rice in association with green growth in the Mekong Delta region" at Thang Loi Cooperative, Lang Bien Commune, Thap Muoi District, Dong Thap Province.

This is the first cooperative in Dong Thap Province to pilot the "Sustainable Development Project for one million hectares of specialized, low-emission high-quality rice in association with green growth in the Mekong Delta region" on an area spanning 43 hectares, with 20 participating households. Thang Loi Cooperative is currently implementing the model for the 2024 autumn-winter crop. Additionally, the cooperative is using the OM18 rice variety and applying sustainable cultivation practices (cluster sowing, row sowing in combination with fertilizer burying, reducing seed usage to 65 to 70 kilograms per hectare, and alternating wet and dry water management).

Farmers participating in the model receive state support covering 50% of material costs for seeds, fertilizers, Trichoderma products for straw decomposition, and machinery (cluster/row sowing machines, spraying drones). The remaining 50% of the costs for seeds, fertilizers, cluster sowing labor, greenhouse gas emission assessment costs, and field workshops originate from social sources. Notably, the cooperative is sponsored by Binh Dien Fertilizer Joint Stock Company, Saigon Kim Hong Company, Tu Sang Co., Ltd., Bayer Vietnam Co., Ltd., and Vietnam Rice Company, Ltd.

The fields involved in the low-emission rice production project at Thang Loi Cooperative will enter their harvesting season in approximately 20 to 25 days, with an estimated average yield of 6.5 - 6.9 tons per hectare.

Notably, businesses have committed to purchasing the cooperative's entire output at prices 100 to 150 VND per kilogram higher than the market rate. According to estimations, the total revenue from the model is approximately 2.2 million VND per hectare higher than the control model. Additionally, income from selling post-harvest straw is projected to increase by 800,000 to 900,000 VND per hectare compared to the control model.

According to Nguyen Van Hung, Director of Thang Loi Agricultural Service Cooperative, members of cooperative have agreed to implementing the model with new cultivation processes, including reducing seed, fertilizer, and pesticide usage, burying fertilizers, documenting, among others. The model will see a reduction of at least 30% in terms of production costs. Furthermore, the cooperative has signed off-take agreements with relevant stakeholders at market price plus an additional 100 VND per kilogram. Consequently, multiple farmers have registered to participate in the model; and the cooperative plans to increase the production area to 150 hectares for the winter-spring crop of 2024 - 2025.

“The rice cultivation practices under the project have encouraged and inspired confidence in many farmers of Thang Loi Cooperative regarding the project's effectiveness because they utilize various scientific and technical solutions such as ‘3 reductions, 3 increases,’ ‘1 must, 5 reductions,’ and 4.0 technology in the fields to reduce costs,” confirmed Director Nguyen Van Hung.

Dang Tan Dat, a member of Thang Loi Agricultural Service Cooperative, is a first-time participant with 2 hectares of low-emission rice production area. He commented, "I have cultivated rice using traditional methods for many years, often facing various problems including pests and diseases, high costs for each crop, and prices and market access at the end of the season.

I am very pleased that the province's agricultural sector has selected us to pilot the low-emission rice production model for this autumn-winter crop, which helped us significantly reduce input costs. This includes reducing the amount of rice seeds sown by over 30%, cutting fertilizer and pesticide use by 50%, and decreasing labor costs by 10 to 15% compared to traditional farming practices. This crop yields over 6.5 tons of rice per hectare, which is 300 kilograms per hectare higher than that of last year."

Farmers voluntarily applying to participate in the project

From the perspective of a sponsor for the model, Dao Thi Nhu He, Director of Saigon Kim Hong Trading and Service Co., Ltd., remarked, "The company assisted local farmers by providing cluster sowing machines for the project. These scientific and technological solutions allow farmers to improve economic efficiency in agricultural production. Accordingly, the company aims to help farmers reduce the amount of seed sown, thereby reducing the costs for seed, pesticides and fertilizer.

At Thang Loi Agricultural Service Cooperative, Saigon Kim Hong's cluster sowing machine supports the model free of charge with a sowing formula of 65 kilograms per hectare, reducing the amount of seeds by two to three times compared to traditional sowing methods. However, reducing seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides does not reduce the rice yield for farmers."

Similarly, Binh Dien Fertilizer Joint Stock Company sponsored 50% of the fertilizer cost for farmers participating in the project's low-emission rice production model.

Phan Van Tam, Deputy General Director of Binh Dien Fertilizer Joint Stock Company, stated, "With the motto of always accompanying farmers, Binh Dien will actively participate in the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development's project for one million hectares of high-quality, low emission rice. The project's goal to reduce fertilizer usage by 30% has motivated the company to research and develop suitable products. Binh Dien has the capacity to meet this requirement in various linkage and joint venture programs.

Namely, during the climate-smart rice cultivation program, Binh Dien has collaborated with the National Agricultural Extension Center and other partners to deploy cluster sowing in combination with buried fertilization to help farmers achieve high economic efficiency while contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. At present, Binh Dien and the National Agricultural Extension Center are continuing to implement smart rice cultivation in five provinces within the Mekong Delta region. These activities include collecting straw, chopping straw, and using quick-treatment products to turn straw into organic fertilizer immediately in the field or as a substrate for various crops."

After surveying the pilot field, Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam noted the local farmers' enthusiasm in joining the project.

Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam emphasized the importance of fully developing and expanding the model, thereby encouraging farmers to participate voluntarily as an alternative to relying on state support. The state primarily supports irrigation infrastructure, whereas farmers must actively implement the model and recognize the benefits of participation. Additionally, participating in the model allows farmers to reduce production costs by 30%. On the other hand, the model has established defined production linkage mechanisms, promoting the reliability and profitability of low-emission rice production.

Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam also requested stakeholders to monitor, document, and develop cultivation processes, subsequently compiling them into detailed materials. These activities will serve as a basis for developing lessons, training agricultural extension staff, and expanding the model throughout the province. Furthermore, he highlighted a focus on training farmers, cooperatives, and community agricultural extension groups to promote and expand the model to other regions.