Supporting farmers in land consolidation.

In order to support farmers in consolidating land to form large-scale concentrated production areas, in recent years, farmers' associations at all levels in the province have promoted emulation movements associated with the implementation of resolutions on supporting land consolidation and concentration. Through this, large-scale model fields and modern agricultural models are gradually being formed, focusing on large-scale production, contributing to improving the lives of farmers.

Mr. Bui Van Trac, a farmer member of Viet Thuan commune (Vu Thu district), invested in building a drying kiln to improve production efficiency.

Mr. Le Hong Son, Chairman of the Provincial Farmers' Association, said: In the past period, the Standing Committee of the Provincial Farmers' Association has developed a plan and directed the timely and full dissemination of the contents of Resolution No. 29/2021/NQ-HĐND, dated December 10, 2021, of the Provincial People's Council promulgating regulations on mechanisms and policies to support land consolidation and concentration, purchase of rice transplanters and drying equipment systems serving agricultural production in the province in the period 2021 - 2025; and Resolution No. 08/2023/NQ-HĐND, dated July 12, 2023, of the Provincial People's Council promulgating regulations on mechanisms and policies to support land consolidation and concentration for the development of agricultural economy in Thai Binh province in the period up to 2028 to cadres and farmer members in the province. In addition, the Provincial Farmers' Association is stepping up propaganda and commending exemplary individuals and effective models of farmers and association members in land consolidation and concentration for agricultural production development.

Over the years, farmers' associations at all levels have focused on disseminating information and mobilizing members to actively participate in land consolidation and concentration, linked with crop restructuring and the construction of advanced and model new rural areas. The associations have coordinated with and guided members in completing applications for support and evaluating applications to ensure that the process is timely, effective, and targeted. Since the implementation of resolutions, the area of ​​consolidated and concentrated land in localities throughout the province has increased significantly. Activities to promote and attract businesses to invest in agriculture and production linkages have been intensified, contributing to the formation of many large-scale commodity production models and value chain production linkages that yield high efficiency. By July 2023, the entire province had over 1,920 organizations, households, and individuals involved in land consolidation and concentration, with a total consolidated and concentrated area of ​​over 8,045 hectares for crop production. In 2023, farmers' associations at all levels developed 120 successful models of land consolidation, including 98 collective models and 22 individual models. The consolidation and concentration of land for agricultural production has yielded economic benefits and reduced input costs thanks to the application of mechanization in large-scale production.

In 2012, thanks to the support and assistance from the local government and the Farmers' Association of Viet Thuan commune, Mr. Bui Van Trac, from Viet Thuan commune (Vu Thu district), boldly rented or borrowed 0.1 hectares of unproductive rice paddy land from local people to invest in building a chicken and pig farm. After facing difficulties in livestock farming due to disease outbreaks, Mr. Trac decided to consolidate land for rice production.

Mr. Trac shared: "Every year I rent or borrow more rice fields from my neighbors to expand my rice cultivation area. Currently, I have about 10 hectares planted with various rice varieties. To increase productivity and reduce labor, at the end of 2019, I invested over 300 million VND in a rice drying kiln with a maximum capacity of 18 tons per batch. In 2022, I continued to invest nearly 1 billion VND to buy new machinery for production. Currently, my family operates one large combine harvester, two tillage machines, and two rice transplanters. Thanks to the accumulation of land and the application of science and technology, rice production is highly efficient."

Having successfully harvested two rice crops in 2023, after deducting expenses, Mr. Trac earned a profit of 300 million VND. This spring alone, his family harvested 70 tons of rice. In addition, he created jobs for 15 permanent and seasonal workers, with an income of approximately 7 million VND per person per month.

As for Mr. Nguyen Huu Lam from An Dong commune (Quynh Phu district), although he only participated in land consolidation more than two years ago, he has already consolidated 36 hectares of land across three communes: An Hiep, An Thai, and An Cau for agricultural production. According to Mr. Lam, in the past, many farmers abandoned their fields, leaving them fallow for years with grass growing as tall as a person's head. Production was not easy, but Mr. Lam still boldly invested with the hope of "reviving" the abandoned land.

Mr. Lam shared: "I invested about 1 billion VND to buy machinery for production. Because most of the land is waterlogged and low-lying, I invested about 100 million VND to build high embankments and improve the irrigation and drainage system. I mainly cultivate BC15 and TBR225 rice varieties. In the 2023 harvest season, I harvested 1.7 - 1.8 quintals of rice per sao (approximately 1000 square meters). In the future, I hope to develop an experiential tourism model for students to visit and learn about agriculture."

Nguyen Huu Lam, a farmer member from An Dong commune (Quynh Phu district), has invested in mechanization for his production.

Mr. Pham Minh Tuan, Chairman of the An Dong Commune Farmers' Association, said: In 2018, the land consolidation movement developed strongly. To support farmers in consolidating land, the Commune Farmers' Association advised the Party Committee and the government to assist households in renting or borrowing uncultivated land from other farmers. Currently, the entire commune has 18 farmer members participating in land consolidation for agricultural production with a total consolidated area of ​​141 hectares. These members have developed diverse models, including 10 hectares of cassava cultivation; 3 hectares of chrysanthemum and chives cultivation; 10 hectares of corn and vegetables; and 7 hectares of water chestnut cultivation and fish farming in semi-floating ponds. In addition, in August 2023, the Commune Farmers' Association established a cooperative for medicinal plant cultivation in Dao Xa village, attracting 18 households to cultivate 3 hectares of Sophora japonica, which has initially yielded positive results.

Mr. Le Hong Son, Chairman of the Provincial Farmers' Association, added: To improve the effectiveness of the land consolidation and concentration movement among its members, the Provincial Farmers' Association proposes and recommends to the Provincial People's Committee to continue directing research, review, and adjustment of support mechanisms and policies according to Resolution No. 08/2023/NQ-HĐND of the Provincial People's Council to suit the current production reality; and to accelerate the process of issuing land use right certificates for agricultural land to farmers. At the same time, mechanisms and policies should be developed to support the construction of transportation infrastructure, irrigation systems, canals, power lines, storage facilities, etc., to meet the requirements of large-scale commodity production areas. Mechanisms and policies should be developed to attract large enterprises to invest in production linkages along the value chain; and solutions should be implemented to improve the operational capacity of cooperatives to meet the requirements of cooperation and production linkages. In addition, we will continue to provide financial support for training, technology transfer, OCOP product development, VietGAP certification, planting area codes, and product promotion and introduction for farmers. We will continue to invest in and support the development and evaluation of the effectiveness of new, high-yield crop varieties that meet market demands, in order to replicate them and link production along the value chain, helping farmers feel secure in investing in production.

Nguyen Trieu

Source: https://baothaibinh.com.vn/tin-tuc/4/212191/ho-tro-nong-dan-tich-tu-ruong-dat