Mechanization is boosted by the linkage chain of agricultural production

Owners of transplanters join forces 

Ninh Binh locals continue traditional rice production, and the rate of seeding is relatively high. The imbalanced use of pesticides and fertilizers has increased production costs and reduced rice farmers' profits. 

Mr. Bui Huu Ngoc, Director of the Agricultural- Forestry- Fisheries Extension Center of Ninh Binh, stated that as the agriculture sector has developed the goals of quality, safety, environmental friendliness, and emission reduction, among others, the reduction of inputs such as fertilizers and pesticides has become increasingly crucial.

To achieve these objectives, mechanization in the transplant phase must be prioritized. To reduce the quantity of fertilizer, pesticide, and care labor, producers must reduce the number of seeds while maintaining yields. Tray plating - machine transplantation is currently regarded as the most effective method for reducing seed quantities. A number of obstacles make it difficult for transplanters to swiftly expand their operations.

Ngoc elaborated that the Ninh Binh Agricultural Extension Center also dispatched its officers to train and instruct localities, cooperatives, and service organizations on the ground, in addition to establishing a production display model of tray plating- machine transplanting for the public to observe and recognize its benefits. 

In order to increase the area planted by machinery, households with transplanters must be able to communicate with one another. The Provincial Agricultural Extension Center has distinguished itself as a bridge for units and individuals by identifying problems when the province's seasonal window is limited. Service personnel engaged in tray plating - transplantation machinery foster collaboration.

"The utmost capacity of a transplanter is limited, whereas the demand for rice transplanting by machine grows daily. As a result, the server owners receive large orders, but their capacity to respond is limited; therefore, collaborating with other server owners will help to cultivate the entire area, thereby ensuring the seasonal frame for people. This not only increases the area planted by the machine, but also alters people's perceptions, maximizes the capacity of the units, and increases profits, as stated by Mr. Ngoc.

Mr. Ngoc added that, at present, not every unit or individual with a transplanter is capable of producing tray plating independently. Consequently, encouraging the establishment of units specializing in the production of tray plating will be an effective means of expanding the area of rice cultivation by machine.

When a unit has the necessary resources (financial, human, land, and equipment) to produce professional tray plating, the quality will be assured at the most competitive price. It was advantageous for cooperatives, particularly small production groups and large-acreage households, to place the transplanting machine into operation at that time. 

Developing a synchronized linkage chain 

According to Mr. Vu Van Quyet, leader of Hop Tien Agricultural Cooperative, Khanh Nhac commune, Ninh Binh, the unit's production area exceeds 300ha and supplies approximately 500 tons of rice and rice plants annually to the market. Since its participation in a rice linkage chain, synchronizing with other units such as state management agencies and enterprises of output supply and purchase, the cooperative has maximized its strengths and advantages, reducing costs and bolstering mechanization, in particular the seamless adoption of tray plating - machine transplanting.

Specifically, when participating in the linkage chain, the cooperative receives financial and technical support via provincial and district regulations and policies. The supplier of seedlings and input materials offers the cooperative the lowest-priced, highest-quality products. The purchasing organization will place an order for the co-op based on product categories and output and will purchase all available products. Since then, encouraging people to be enthusiastic about the production has resulted in the elimination of abandoned fields, resulting in the formation of large paddy that is machine-friendly.

According to Mr. Quyet, joining the linkage chain will not only stimulate an increase in the demand for machine cultivation but also for other phases, particularly the drying stage. Previously, cooperative members had to spend a great deal of time drying when harvesting. Even though they have traveled to Yen My (Hung Yen) to sell, the price is not high due to the poor quality and appearance of rice grains caused by terrible weather.

Currently, businesses that are members of the association purchase raw rice directly from the shore without incurring packaging or curing expenses. Particularly, any household that can dry rice, regardless of quantity, will be purchased by the enterprise at a 400-500 VND/kg premium over standard dried rice.

In addition, businesses will be required to dry rice on-site after purchasing raw rice in order to limit losses and maintain the purity of rice grains. This is a favorable circumstance for the cooperative to invest in drying kilns, develop rice drying services for rent, and increase revenue. For instance, Hop Tien Agricultural Cooperative has 5 drying furnaces with a capacity of 20 tons per batch each, which are responsible for drying rice for businesses that purchase and resell products for 650-700 VND per kilogram.

Ms. Vu Thi Cuc, the director of Cuc Phuong Company, a unit specializing in rice procurement in Ninh Binh and the provinces of the North Central region, stated that by participating in the linkage chain, rice purchasing businesses are able to ensure a steady supply of high-quality raw materials.

At the beginning of each harvest, the company will sign contracts with cooperatives and production households based on the number of rice varieties and the desired yield. When there is a stable relationship between production and consumption, producers will feel secure accumulating land and investing in apparatus to improve the quality of rice kernels, the supply will be abundant, and it will be simple to adapt rice varieties to market preferences. 

Particularly, the seasonal framework of the northern provinces is virtually identical, resulting in a substantial market supply at the same time. Therefore, by participating in the linkage chain, businesses can precisely comprehend the supply and proactively develop an efficient consumption strategy. Likewise, when businesses have numerous orders, they will not be "hungry" for basic materials if they cannot locate suppliers.