Need support mechanism in using biological pest control to protect crops

On September 27, in Lam Dong province, the Plant Protection Department (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) coordinated with the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Vietnam to organize a seminar on using biological pest control in Integrated Pest Management (IPM).

Leaders of units attended the workshop under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Vietnam, and many experts, representatives of businesses, cooperatives, and farmers.

Nguyen Quy Duong, Deputy Director of the Plant Protection Department, said that Vietnam and the Netherlands have built a long-term and trustworthy relationship. 2023 will mark 50 years of bilateral cooperation between the two countries, and 2024 will mark 10 years of strategic partnership in sustainable agriculture and food security.

"Biological pest is an important topic that we are all interested in. It is consistent with Vietnam's sustainable agricultural and rural development strategy, contributing to its sustainable development. At the same time, this is also an area in which the Netherlands possesses the leading experts and knowledge in the world," Nguyen Quy Duong shared.

Nguyen Quy Duong also hopes that through the conference, he will receive sharing from experts from the Netherlands and businesses, cooperatives, and farmers so that the Plant Protection Department can provide direction in using biological pest control in integrated pest management in the coming time.

According to Lianne Kersbergen, Deputy Head of the National Plant Protection Organization of the Netherlands, the use of biological pest control in Integrated Pest Management is essential in agricultural production to contribute to reducing the use of chemical pesticides in farming, contributing to reducing risks in production and increasing product value.

Using biological pest control in Integrated Pest Management for outdoor production in the Netherlands has reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Lianne Kersbergen also expressed that the Netherlands wishes to exchange and cooperate with Vietnam on the issue of using biological pest control in Integrated Pest Management.

According to the Plant Protection Department, Vietnam has participated in many trade agreements, and expanding agricultural export markets has achieved many positive results. Pesticides and fertilizers are strictly managed from registration to use. In particular, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development focuses on implementing programs to develop the production and use of organic fertilizers and biological pesticides.

Currently, biological pest control in integrated pest management brings many benefits. This includes reducing the use of pesticides, limiting pesticide residues in products, and protecting health and the environment. Contribute to maintaining the field ecosystem, significantly improving the quality of agricultural products, and meeting market demand.

At the workshop, experts said biological control agents in integrated pest management bring many benefits. However, their application in production is unpopular, and many problems remain. In particular, experts point out that the conditions for using natural enemies must be isolated from areas where pesticides are used. Furthermore, agricultural product prices are unstable, leading to low profits and producers having to change according to the market. In particular, people's awareness of the benefits of using natural enemies is not high...

Representatives of units and experts said that to increase the use of biological pest control in integrated pest management in Vietnam, the immediate need is to organize propaganda to raise awareness about the benefits and effectiveness of applying biological agents. Along with that, there needs to be mechanisms and policies on training and guidance on using biological pest control on crops.

In addition, representatives of units and experts also agreed on the need to build models for applying biological pest control, and the authorities need to have policies to support the export and import of biological pest control. Also, implement support policies on developing markets for agricultural products using biological pest control.

Biological pest control is a method of controlling pests, whether pest animals such as insects and mites, weeds, or pathogens affecting animals or plants by using other organisms. It relies on predation, parasitism, herbivory, or other natural mechanisms, but typically also involves an active human management role. It can be an important component of integrated pest management (IPM) programs.