Ninh Thuan expands biomass maize cultivation

Ninh Phuoc - Thuan Nam Agricultural Extension Station (Ninh Thuan Agricultural Extension Center), in collaboration with the People's Committee of Phuoc Vinh Commune, Ninh Phuoc District (Ninh Thuan), has just organized a workshop to visit the biomass maize production model for 50 farmers in the commune.

In June 2023, in collaboration with the People's Committee of Phuoc Vinh Commune, this Agricultural Extension Station organized a training course on biomass maize production techniques for 120 farmer households in the commune. This training is an activity within the framework of the project implemented by the Maize Research Institute (Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Sciences) with the model "Building a model of biomass maize production as green fodder for livestock" in 2023 in Ninh Thuan province. Phuoc Vinh commune was selected as the site to implement the model, with a scale of 10 hectares, LCH9 maize variety, with 120 households participating to benefit.

The technical staff of Ninh Thuan Agricultural Extension Center introduced and propagated some information about biomass maize varieties, season and land preparation, nursery, seeding techniques, and taking care of biomass maize plants for high yield.

At the workshop, the delegates shared the same comment: The cultivation of biomass maize has advantages in the short term: fast and healthy growth in high-temperature environments. The biomass maize variety LCH9 has the characteristics of a large body, well-developed tripod roots, and good resistance to falling. Planting biomass corn is harvested with stems, leaves, and young corn as forage for cattle, gathered at the stage of wax maturity, so it is only 60-70 days from planting to harvesting. As a result, the yield at harvest of the households participating in the model was satisfactory (from 45 to 60 tonnes/hectare).

Households participating in the model supported 50% of seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides; Bao Vinh Cooperative stands as the focal point to sign the contract of consuming their products to provide purchasing enterprises.

The seminar and training program also helped the participating households to master the scientific and technical knowledge of biomass maize production to ensure high economic efficiency and sustainability. This program will be the basis for expanding and developing biomass maize in localities in Ninh Thuan in the coming time.

Implementing commercial production of biomass corn associated with product consumption also creates a connection between local businesses and people to form a chain of production, supply, and consumption of agricultural products for farmers. At the same time, it helps people access the method of developing a biomass corn plan according to market demand, especially having access to some technical advances applied in biomass maize production (silage, making pellets), creating an initiative in providing raw materials and feed for local livestock, which is the basis for improving economic efficiency in corn production.

The significant increase in model efficiency compared to seeded maize is also the motivation to help local corn growers realize the benefits of applying the technical to grow biomass maize, thereby propagating to the farmers. People around learn and follow.

Implementing the biomass maize production model in Phuoc Vinh commune has helped households master the scientific and technical knowledge of biomass maize production to ensure high economic efficiency and shorten the production time compared to other areas that grow corn for seeds. In the coming time, Bao Vinh Cooperative will continue to act as a bridge between farmers and businesses to expand the scope of biomass maize in localities in the province.

Recently, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has directed localities to have conditions to encourage farmers to grow biomass maize on the land of two rice and winter crops.

This plan helps farmers reduce pressure on input grain materials and proactively sources quality forage, reducing feed costs. In addition, growing biomass corn for self-grazing or selling to livestock enterprises is usually 2.5-3.5 times more profitable than rice cultivation - this is also an important economic driver to promoting the restructuring of crops.

The model of growing biomass corn under the circular economy model has been piloted in Son La and Dak Lak.