Transforming from failures in the acidic soil region.
Vinh Dieu commune in An Giang province, bordering Cambodia, is one of the typical acidic soil areas in the Long Xuyen Quadrangle region. During the hot season, especially in the summer-autumn crop, the patches of reddish soil caused by acid seepage onto the rice fields become a nightmare for rice farmers.
For many years, Mr. Nguyen Van Du's more than 10 hectares of rice fields in Dong Co hamlet, Vinh Dieu commune, have been facing pressure due to soil acidity. In some seasons, immediately after sowing, the rice plants die in patches due to severe acidity. The root system does not develop, the rice plants are stunted, turn yellow, and gradually die.
Farmers and technical staff from Binh Dien Fertilizer Joint Stock Company inspect the development of rice root systems on improved acidic soil. Photo: Ngoc Van.
Mr. Du recounted: "Previously, I often used phosphorus or lime to treat soil acidity at the beginning of the season. However, this method was both costly and labor-intensive because it had to be applied manually. Meanwhile, the results weren't really as good as expected."
Besides facing the problem of acidic soil, for the past 5-6 years, Mr. Du has switched to cultivating the DS1 rice variety. This variety yields a good harvest, is less susceptible to pests and diseases, and adapts well to local farming conditions. However, the amount of straw after harvest is very hard and difficult to decompose.
Although the gap between two rice crops is 60-70 days, a significant amount of rice straw remains in the fields. If not properly managed, this can lead to organic poisoning, directly affecting the growth of the next rice crop.
Mr. Nguyen Van Du (center) is delighted that the straw from the previous crop has decomposed well, eliminating concerns about organic poisoning. Photo: Ngoc Van.
Like many other farmers in the area, Mr. Du used to consider burning the fields or removing the straw to solve the problem. However, this method not only wastes valuable organic matter but also negatively impacts the environment and the long-term quality of the cultivated land.
A turning point came for him when he participated in the "Green Journey - Healthy Soil, Healthy Crops" program implemented by Binh Dien Fertilizer Joint Stock Company. Mr. Du listened to scientists sharing solutions for soil improvement, raising pH levels, reducing organic toxicity, and increasing the decomposition of agricultural by-products, which helped change his way of thinking.
"I realized that to produce efficiently, the first thing to do is to take good care of the soil. When the soil is healthy, the rice plants will be healthy, which in turn reduces the need for fertilizer and pesticides," Mr. Du said.
Checking and monitoring soil pH levels directly in the field is a crucial step in proactively reducing soil acidity. Photo: Ngoc Van.
Healthy soil means more profit for farmers.
After learning about new solutions from the "Green Journey - Healthy Soil, Healthy Crops" program, Mr. Du boldly applied the Bio-Calcium soil improvement product line at the beginning of the season, and continued to fertilize Dau Trau Bio-1 in two stages: 7-10 days and 18-22 days after sowing on his family's rice fields.
Immediately after the first winter-spring crop, he noticed a significant reduction in soil acidity and organic toxicity. This motivated him to continue investing in this year's summer-autumn crop.
Mr. Nguyen Van Du's DS1 rice field is thriving, with sturdy plants thanks to healthy soil and strong root development. Photo: Ngoc Van.
In the early stages of the crop, he used approximately 200 kg of soil conditioner per hectare. The results were quite evident in the fields. The treated areas had stronger root systems, longer white roots, sturdier stems, and a significantly reduced seedling mortality rate.
Meanwhile, areas where soil improvement solutions are not applied often show shorter plants, curled leaves, short root systems, and increased susceptibility to root suffocation under severe acidic conditions.
Not stopping there, Mr. Du also changed his fertilizer use towards a more balanced approach. Instead of relying entirely on chemical fertilizers as before, he focused on improving the soil, increasing nutrient efficiency, and utilizing organic matter from straw in the fields.
The straw byproduct after harvest is processed and decomposed, becoming a valuable organic source for the soil. Photo: Ngoc Van.
According to him, when the soil is improved and the root system is stronger, the rice plant absorbs nutrients more efficiently. As a result, the amount of fertilizer used can be adjusted appropriately, helping to save production costs.
Particularly in acidic soil areas like Vinh Dieu, prolonged hot weather causes the acidity to rise significantly. Previously, farmers were often reactive in dealing with this. Now, with experience accumulated from practical production, Mr. Du proactively divides the acidity treatment into multiple stages throughout the rice growing season, especially during the period from 30 to 40 days after sowing.
Farmers prepare to apply Dau Trau Bio-Calcium fertilizer to help rice plants absorb nutrients optimally. Photo: Ngoc Van.
The biggest change wasn't just in productivity or costs, but in the shift in production mindset. From focusing on solving problems arising from the rice crop, Mr. Du shifted to caring for soil health right from the beginning of the season.
That is precisely the spirit that the "Green Journey - Healthy Soil, Healthy Crops" program aims for: helping farmers change traditional farming practices, reduce dependence on chemicals, improve the efficiency of land resource use, and create safer rice for consumers.
Using drone technology to apply Bio-Calcium fertilizer to improve soil at the beginning of the planting season helps save labor and costs. Photo: Ngoc Van.
GREEN JOURNEY – HEALTHY SOIL, HEALTHY PLANTS
Starting from the summer-autumn crop season of 2025.
Implementation in the Mekong Delta and Tay Ninh .
Focus on restoring soil health through soil analysis, pH improvement, reduction of organic toxicity, and enhanced nutrient utilization efficiency with the Bio product line.
In partnership with Binh Dien Fertilizer Joint Stock Company, along with the advice of Professor Dr. Nguyen Bao Ve and other agricultural experts.
Source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/hoi-sinh-dat-phen-de-canh-dong-lua-luon-xanh-khoe-d818137.html
