Rice production costs - reduction within reach: Effectiveness of sparse transplanting

Make a good profit thanks to machine transplanting

Having experienced dozens of rice crops in a row, farmers in Binh Hieu only choose the method of sparse transplanting by machine instead of sparse sowing or line sowing.

Mr. Nguyen Van Hien, Director of Binh Hieu Agricultural Cooperative deemed this the most advanced rice production solution. While sparse sowing requires 100 - 120 kg of rice seed/ha, line sowing also takes 80 - 90 kg/ha. And also in comparison to the previous practice of densely sowing 180 - 200kg of seed rice/ha, these methods have reduced a large amount of seed costs, but machine transplanting is still the most effective method as it only requires 50 kg of seed/ha to make seedlings.

“Costs are skyrocketed in this crop. If you add up all the costs from seed varieties, materials, care to harvest, each 360 m2 of rice costs approximately VND 2.5 million. The yield is 1.1 tons/360 m2, and the selling price is VND 6,800/kg (thanks to seed production, businesses offer to pay VND 1,000 higher than the market price for every 1 kg produced). The total revenue is approximately VND 7.5 million, equivalent to a profit of VND 5 million/360 m2 This means that farmers can pocket VND 35 million/ha.

“It’s thanks to machine transplanting that the rice plants are evenly sparse, and farmers can reduce costs in investment and production. New rice varieties also contribute to the increase in profit. If sowing is as thick as before, farmers will only profit VND 1 - 2 million at best,” said Mr. Ho Van Hong, a member of Binh Hieu Agricultural Cooperative.

In the context that fertilizer prices have skyrocketed up to VND 1.2 - 1.3 million per bag at present, sparse transplanting is the most effective solution to reduce the amount of fertilizer. The rice yield is still high upon harvest while the investment costs are reduced, so input costs are lowered as followed, ensuring farmers’ expected profit.

Saving 15 - 20% costs

The application of tray plating and machine sparse transplanting in rice production is becoming more and more popular in Hau Giang and neighboring provinces.

Mr. Tran Hoang Phuc, Head of Agricultural Extension and Agricultural Services Station in Long My Town (Hau Giang), said that many farmers here are now familiar with the machine transplanting service and clearly see its benefits.

“Application of tray plating and machine transplanting in rice production will help farmers save investment costs by 15-20% by reducing rice seed, fertilizer, and pesticide. Rice fields are sparsely planted, the stem is strong and well-developed, pests and diseases are greatly reduced, the plants rarely wither or fall. The yield is 50-100 kg/ha higher than other forms of sowing. The grain is firm and bright, and thus the selling price is higher."

Mr. Vo Xuan Tan, Director of Hau Giang Agricultural Extension and Service Center, said that synchronous mechanization models in rice production, including planting, tending and harvesting, have helped reduce rice production cost effectively.

The rice transplanter model in Vinh Tuong ward (Long My town) is a mentionable prime example. The initial cost is approximately VND 2.5 - 3 million/ha higher compared to regular sowing. But in return, it reduces the amount of rice seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides. The yield is much higher than that of the normal sowing field (1.5 tons/ha, 2021 summer-autumn crop). The selling price is also increased, resulting in this model helping farmers earn a profit of VND 8 million/ha.

Moreover, the use of drones in the pesticide spraying stage serves as a foundation for farmers to gradually apply high technology and awaken a sense of applying mechanization in agroproduction. It helps to limit the risk of pesticide overdose and can reduce the amount used by 10-15% per unit area.