On October 15, Bayer officially launched the Better Life Farming Project - Pioneering Agriculture , Prosperous Farmers (BLF) in Vietnam. The project will accompany farmers in the Central Highlands to cultivate coffee and durian sustainably.
The event took place at Mr. Nguyen Van Su's durian garden, Cu Sue commune, Cu M'gar district, Dak Lak province.
The launch was attended by representatives of the National Agricultural Extension Center, the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection of Dak Lak Province, the Dak Lak Agricultural Extension Center, the Western Highlands Agriculture and Forestry Science Institute (WASI), along with many local agencies, farmers and partners in the agricultural value chain.
Comprehensive solutions for farmers
The BLF project includes BLF demonstration models and a chain of BLF Centers. These models are coffee and durian gardens of local farmers, where modern farming solutions are applied with technical advice from Bayer and partners.
In addition, the BLF Center chain operated by local businesses acts as a hub for providing comprehensive agricultural solutions, from knowledge, techniques, to market information and connections to the agricultural value chain.
Mr. Nguyen Van Su, owner of a durian garden in Cu Sue commune, Cu M'gar district, Dak Lak province, shared: "In recent years, due to the impact of climate change, durian cultivation has encountered many difficulties. I am very happy to participate in the BLF demonstration model.
The project helps farmers access advanced solutions and technical advice to improve farming efficiency, help ensure high-quality harvests, and enhance farmers' capacity to become pioneering and effective agricultural entrepreneurs, thereby developing a prosperous economic life.
The BLF project aims to expand the role of the BLF Center chain, providing additional support services to farmers according to the needs of each locality.
Project initiatives include community health care, women empowerment and the development of next generations in agriculture, thereby improving the overall quality of life for local communities.
This service expansion will be implemented through intensive technical training programs, in close cooperation between Bayer, project partners and BLF Centers.
Sustainability is a core principle of the BLF project, focusing on creating economic, social and environmental value for farmers and communities. As a result, the success of the project will be assessed based on the benefits it brings to stakeholders.
BLF's goal is to help farmers increase production efficiency with fewer inputs, while responsibly exploiting and conserving natural resources, ensuring sustainability in agricultural cultivation.
Support farmers to develop the potential of key crops
According to the latest report, the area of durian cultivation nationwide has now reached more than 150,000 hectares. Although the durian production and export industry has developed strongly, it still faces many challenges, especially the fragmentation in growing areas and potential risks.
The increasing demand for durian and high-quality coffee brings many opportunities to improve income and quality of life for Vietnamese farmers.
However, to fully exploit the economic potential of these two crops, farmers need to overcome many challenges including the impact of climate change, natural disasters, pests and diseases on plants, lack of water for cultivation, and declining soil quality.
Coffee and durian farmers are looking for modern and sustainable farming methods to meet the requirements of productivity, harvest quality, while minimizing the impact on the environment. In addition, the need to expand connections with export buyers and find potential markets is also increasing.
The BLF project is expected to provide timely and effective support to farmers. The project is based on a long-standing public-private partnership between Bayer, the National Agricultural Extension Center (NAEC), WASI and leading partners in the agricultural sector.
Within the framework of the project, Bayer and the National Center for Sustainable Development signed a memorandum of understanding, committing to cooperate in developing the durian and coffee industries in Vietnam in line with the country's sustainable development orientation.
Dr. Le Quoc Thanh, Director of the National Agricultural Extension Center, said: "With the commitment of partners and the national agricultural extension system, we will help farmers apply sustainable agricultural practices, thereby improving the quality and value of Vietnamese agricultural products in the international market."
BLF, co-founded by Bayer, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Netafim, is a public-private partnership committed to delivering innovative agricultural solutions that promote economic, social and environmental sustainability and improve the quality of life for farming communities.
The project continues to expand its network of global and national partners. In Vietnam, the initiative has attracted the participation of private enterprises and government agencies, including the IFC Fund, Netafim, Yara, the National Center for Sustainable Development and the WASI Institute.
Mr. Kg Krishnamurthy, Director of Crop Science Division of Bayer Vietnam commented: "Through the cooperation between the Government agencies, agricultural experts and partners in the agricultural value chain, we can develop comprehensive strategies to promote sustainable development in terms of economy, society and environment".
The BLF project aims to expand cooperation and support farming communities in the Central Highlands, focusing on regenerative agriculture and effectively exploiting the potential of coffee and durian trees.
This initiative follows the success of the Bayer Forward Farming project launched in the Mekong Delta in 2023, aiming to promote the sustainable development of the rice industry.
A prosperous future for farmers
One of the important solutions Bayer brings to the BLF project in Vietnam is the Harvest Solution Suite, including Durian Harvest and Coffee Harvest, which helps support plant health management and combat fungal diseases.
The solution helps farmers treat Phytophthora fruit rot in durian, harmful insects and weeds; at the same time, it takes care of the tree roots, helping the tree grow healthily and produce high yields.
When applying the right set of solutions, farmers can effectively manage pesticide residues, ensuring that the harvested fruit meets safety and quality standards when exported. Thereby building the brand and value of Vietnamese agricultural products in the international market.
These solutions have been technically assessed by WASI and successfully implemented in many farming models and highly appreciated by local farmers for their effectiveness.
This year, some durian gardens of farmers in Dak Nong have applied Bayer's solution set in combination with modern farming methods and achieved very positive results: fungal pests and diseases decreased by 80-90%, yield increased by nearly 20%, estimated at 20 tons/ha; durian quality is more consistent and stable, with grade A fruit accounting for 70-80% compared to last year.
Mr. Do Van Chung, Deputy Head of the Department of Agricultural Systems, Central Highlands Agricultural and Forestry Science Institute, spoke at the launching event about the technical cooperation between Bayer and WASI: "The cooperation between Bayer and WASI in the BLF project is based on the desire to support durian and coffee farmers in the Central Highlands region to solve challenges in the cultivation process".
“Through many practical tests, we can see the effectiveness of Bayer’s Bountiful Harvest solution in improving crop yield and quality, even when facing some adverse weather conditions. This makes us more confident in introducing these solutions to more farmers in the region, helping them have successful crops,” Mr. Chung shared.
In addition, with the cooperation of many partners providing diverse agricultural solutions, from irrigation systems to plant nutrition, soil quality management, along with support from local agencies, research institutes, and financial institutions. This project will bring about positive, long-term transformation in many aspects of Vietnam's agricultural sector.
The project is expected to bring a prosperous future and a better life to the farming community, true to the spirit and name of the project: "BLF - Pioneering Agriculture, Prosperous Farmers".
Duc Hung
Source: https://baodaknong.vn/bayer-dong-hanh-voi-nong-dan-tay-nguyen-231899.html
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