Help Salavan people to cultivate corn

With the support of seeds, materials and technology transfer from Binh Dinh province, the model of intensive corn cultivation transferred to farmers in Salavan province (Laos) has brought about quite high efficiency. Thereby, people's awareness has been significantly raised in applying advanced intensive farming techniques to increase productivity, prevent pests and diseases, ensure food hygiene and safety, and minimize environmental impacts.

In 2023, Binh Dinh province and 4 southern Lao provinces (Attapeu, Sekong, Champasak, Salavan) signed a cooperation document for the period 2021 - 2025 in the fields of: Education and training, Health, Agriculture, Science and technology, Culture and sports, Tourism, Communications...

In the field of agriculture, Binh Dinh province sent experts in cultivation, aquaculture, livestock and veterinary medicine to 4 provinces of Southern Laos to guide cultivation, care and protection of crops; training in breeding techniques and prevention and control of livestock, poultry and aquatic diseases. At the same time, receiving a delegation of agricultural officials from 4 provinces of Southern Laos to Binh Dinh to exchange and learn experiences in the field of agricultural production, organizing short-term training and guiding practical practice at suitable locations.

A delegation of experts from Binh Dinh province handed over seeds and materials to implement a corn intensive farming model in Salavan province. Photo: TN

In October 2024, the People's Committee of Binh Dinh province sent technical staff from the Agricultural Extension Center (under the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, now the Department of Agriculture and Environment) to Salavan province to deploy the construction and implementation of a corn intensive farming model with a scale of 5 hectares, from October 2024 to March 2025 with a total implementation cost of more than 287 million VND.

At the end of October 2024, in Salavan province, the People's Committee of Binh Dinh province coordinated with the Department of Agriculture and Forestry of Salavan province to organize a handover ceremony of 100 kg of corn seeds, 7,500 kg of organic microbial fertilizer, 25 kg of Trichoderma products and essential materials to support the implementation of the model. At the same time, experts from Binh Dinh province were assigned to directly develop the implementation plan, training materials and translate them into Lao to facilitate the transfer of techniques and guidance on the implementation of the model. In addition, the Department of Agriculture and Forestry of Salavan province also assigned staff to coordinate in selecting the implementation location, creating all favorable conditions for the successful transfer of the model.

After 5 months of implementation, the model brought very positive results, the corn plants grew and developed well, adapted well to local farming conditions, grain yield reached 8.4 tons/ha, 2.1 tons/ha higher than the control (33.3%); fresh corn yield reached 15.5 tons/ha, 3.6 tons/ha higher than the control (31.2%); average profit reached nearly 82 million VND/ha, 21.59 million VND/ha higher than the control (36%).

MSc. Ho Quang Thach - an expert officer of Binh Dinh province, who directly guides and transfers techniques to Salavan farmers, said: The model was implemented in the dry season, facing many difficulties such as the unsynchronized irrigation system, dry and cold climate, scattered area in many villages, and limited farming techniques of the people... However, thanks to the efforts of all parties involved; especially the Lao people are very diligent in learning and applying the transferred technical advances, the model has achieved quite high efficiency, the indicators of nutritional growth and reproductive growth are both achieved, higher than the production practices of the people by 31 - 33%, the economic efficiency increased by more than 35% compared to before.

The model transferred by Binh Dinh province has been recognized and highly appreciated by local authorities and people, helping people diversify crops on converted rice land, increasing productivity and income per unit area.

Mr. Sinxay Phetphenglasy, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Forestry of Salavan province, said: We will direct, develop orientations for development and replication of this model in the province. Hopefully, in the coming time, the cooperation, exchange and experience sharing between Binh Dinh and Salavan provinces will be increasingly strengthened and more closely linked to support and create conditions for the agricultural sector of Salavan province to develop, ensure food security, develop local key agricultural products, and contribute to the sustainable development of the country's agriculture.

THANH NGUYEN

Source: https://baobinhdinh.vn/viewer.aspx?macm=5&macmp=5&mabb=354696