Phu Yen strengthens mechanization in agricultural production

Effectiveness

Typically, the application model in planting and fertilizing sugarcane under the Phu Yen agricultural extension project on "Synchronous application of mechanization in economical watering and integrated intensive farming methods for sugarcane in a chain of linkages of added value and climate change response 2018-2019”. 

Accordingly, the model initially supported 5 trusses of facilities for planting and fertilizing sugarcane in communes of Son Ha and Ea Cha Rang (Son Hoa district); Son Phuoc (Dong Xuan district) and Hoa Hoi (Phu Hoa district).

As a result, sugarcane planting with the use of machines has helped save labor in some works such as furrowing and fertilizing. Specifically, the use of machines in sugarcane planting can help prepare 2-3 hectares in one day while in traditional cultivation the sowing works can only cover about 0.5-1 ha.

Moreover, sugarcane planting by machine also helps prevent water wasting, so the germination rate and plant growth are stronger. In addition, machines can adjust the depth to be suitable to each crop.According to the Agricultural Extension Center of Phu Yen province, the new model has been implemented effectively so it has been expanded with the use of 63 trusses for planting and fertilizing sugarcane.

The Center in Son Ha commune and Cung Son town (Son Hoa district) has put into use 11 multi-purpose soil tilling machines. This is a machine with compact size, fuel consumption of about 2,000m2/1 liter of oil. With an area of 1,500m2, the machine completes the job of tilling the soil with a depth of 15-20 cm in just 60 minutes. With 8 hours per day, it can plow an average of 12,000m2 of soil.

The model of mechanization to support sowing for upland crops deployed by the Center in Xuan Phuoc commune (Dong Xuan district) in 2020 has saved time and improved seedling productivity compared to the traditional sowing method by hand.

According to farmers, with an area of 1,000m2, sowing seeds by hand takes 2 labors and 12 hours of work. Meanwhile, sowing seeds with tools only takes 1 labor and 4 hours.

As for the model of rice straw rolling machine under the National Target Program to build a new rural area in 2020, so far, most localities in the province have applied it after harvest.

The model of mechanization to support lawn mowers was developed by the Center in Suoi Bac communes (Son Hoa); An Tho (Tuy An) and Hoa Dinh Tay Agricultural Service Cooperative (Phu Hoa) with a scale of 27 machines in 27 households (1 machine/household). The lawn mower has a compact structure, with an average cutting capacity of 300kg/hour. Through the model, livestock farmers can save labor time as well as human resources for production.

Continuously promoting mechanization

Mr. Truong Van Tuan, Director of the  Phu Yen Agricultural Extension Center said that promoting research and application of mechanization in agricultural production is one of the important solutions in implementing a policy on agricultural restructure associated with new rural construction.

In recent years, the agricultural sector in Phu Yen province has boosted investment, support and directing localities to strengthen research and application of mechanization in agricultural production, especially in cultivating key crops such as rice, sugarcane, cassava and vegetables.

Initially, the rate of mechanization has achieved certain results in the production of some key crops, making a contribution to improving production efficiency, quality, local living standards and labor forces.

Models of mechanization have also contributed to changing production habits from manual methods to using machines.Therefore, in the coming time, the Center will continue to develop models of synchronous mechanization for agricultural production. First of all, it will focus on intensive cultivation of rice, sugarcane and cassava in concentrated production areas. From then on, it will help farmers change their manual farming methods to using advanced and modern machines and equipment to reducing production costs and increase economic efficiency.

Mr. Dao Ly Nhi, Deputy Director of Phu Yen Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said that currently, Phu Yen province has applied mechanization in soil preparation for rice planting with harvesting results having reached over 90%. As for spraying pesticides and fertilizing, a drone model has been applied while for sugarcane and cassava, the mechanization model has been carried out in the tillage stage with capacity reaching 70%. In the coming time, the agricultural sector will continue to strengthen mechanization in rice cultivation in the stage of pesticide spraying and fertilizing while in sugarcane planting, it will enhance the use of machines in harvesting.