Spreading knowledge of sustainable agriculture

For over half a century, the College of Agriculture, Can Tho University has been continuously researching and transferring technology, contributing to promoting green, efficient and sustainable production for farmers in the Mekong Delta. Not only providing professional training, the College of Agriculture also nurtures creativity and social responsibility in students.

Science and technology help improve productivity, move towards green agriculture and adapt to climate.

Students bring knowledge to the fields

Former student Nguyen Huu Thien (class 41), currently participating in a climate-adaptive rice cultivation project, said: “Thanks to the knowledge I have acquired, I have applied no-till farming techniques, managed alternating dry and flood seasons, and used organic fertilizers. As a result, productivity has increased, costs have decreased, and emissions have been significantly lower.”

In Can Tho , the locality is implementing the 1 million hectare high-quality, low-emission rice project. Many farming households have switched to the farming model guided by the Agricultural School.

Mr. Nguyen Van Be Tu, a farmer in Vinh Thanh commune, shared: “Previously, rice was grown in the traditional way, which required a lot of seeds and fertilizers but the yield was not high. Now, following the instructions of Can Tho University, reducing seeds, reducing fertilizers and watering in cycles, the yield increased to more than 7 tons/ha, costs reduced by 30%, the fields are cleaner, and fish and shrimp are alive again.”

Not only individual households, many cooperatives in the region have also boldly applied low-emission production processes, using organic fertilizers, biological pesticides, economical water management and keeping electronic notebooks. Thanks to this, the awareness of farmers and businesses has changed significantly, shifting from small-scale production to value chain linkage, focusing on quality, food safety and green standards.

The University of Agriculture accompanies localities in implementing the Project of 1 million hectares of high-quality, low-emission rice.

The University of Agriculture is not only a training and research facility, but also a strategic partner of localities in sustainable agricultural development.

Ms. Nguyen Thanh Thuy, Deputy Head of the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection of Can Tho City, commented: “The University of Agriculture regularly coordinates to implement climate-adaptive rice cultivation models, convert crops to saline areas, and build soil maps. The research results help localities have a scientific basis for policy making.”

Thanks to their understanding of the ecological characteristics and farming history of the delta region, the school's team of lecturers and scientists always offers suitable, practical and effective solutions, aiming at the goal of "green agriculture - civilized farmers - modern countryside."

Knowledge center of the delta region

In the context of increasingly severe climate change and environmental pollution, the need for innovation and sustainable development has become an inevitable direction for Vietnam's agricultural sector.

In the Mekong Delta, the "rice granary" of the country, the Agricultural School of Can Tho University plays a particularly important role, both as a place to train high-quality human resources and as a bridge between scientific research and production practices.

Can Tho University is a place to nurture high quality human resources.

From the laboratory to the field, from the lecture hall to the farm, the school's topics, initiatives and models have been helping farmers increase productivity, reduce emissions, and move towards green agriculture that is adaptable to the climate.

The University of Agriculture focuses on two main research directions: cultivation and agricultural mechanization. A series of projects and application models are deployed in coordination with the Department of Science and Technology of provinces such as Dong Thap, Vinh Long, Can Tho, etc., helping to link research and teaching with the practical needs of businesses and people.

Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Thi Kim Khang, Vice Principal of the School of Agriculture, shared: “Technology transfer is a mandatory task of a practical agricultural school. We focus on connecting directly with farmers and localities, ensuring that each research result is highly applicable.”

Can Tho University is not only the cradle of knowledge of the Mekong Delta but also a symbol of the transformation of Vietnamese agriculture.

The school has implemented many practical farming models such as growing red grapefruit, durian, utilizing agricultural by-products as animal feed, along with programs for breeding, disease prevention and control, and technology transfer for dairy farming and households. “Lecturers must grasp the needs of farmers and businesses; when people encounter difficulties, they can directly contact the school's experts, which is a valuable link,” Ms. Khang emphasized.

Climate change is causing rapid degradation of soil resources, so soil science plays a key role in restoring agricultural ecosystems.

Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Khoi Nghia, Deputy Head of the Department of Soil Science, said: “We focus on researching suitable crop models and using biological products to improve soil, helping rice and fruit cultivation adapt better to climate change." The Department's works have been widely applied in many localities, contributing to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving soil fertility, increasing productivity and economic efficiency. "Currently, research groups are aiming to improve soil properties in fruit orchards and rice fields, towards green agriculture and climate adaptation," Mr. Nghia added.

From Can Tho University, generations of scientists, lecturers and students are constantly spreading knowledge, connecting research with practice, making important contributions to the development of Vietnam's agriculture and environment.

These efforts affirm the position of the University of Agriculture, Can Tho University not only as the cradle of knowledge of the Mekong Delta region, but also as a symbol of the transformation of Vietnamese agriculture on the path of green and sustainable development.

VAN UT

Source: https://nhandan.vn/lan-toa-tri-thuc-nong-nghiep-ben-vung-post923216.html