Double benefits from smart rice farming

The smart rice farming model , reducing greenhouse gas emissions, was piloted by the Provincial Agricultural Extension and Agricultural Services Center in coordination with a number of units in the spring crop of 2025 in 3 communes: Khanh Yen, Duong Quy and Bao Ha, with a scale of 199 hectares, 549 participating households. This is an important initial step for the Lao Cai agricultural sector to verify its effectiveness. After one crop, the model has shown clear results, affirming the appropriate direction.

Mr. La Van Quyet, Khanh Yen commune, is one of the first households to participate in the model. Initially, his family tested on 2 hectares of rice fields. After harvesting the rice, he noticed that the rice plants were stronger, less likely to fall over, and the yield increased significantly.

Mr. Quyet shared: The way to take care of the rice is the same as before, the only difference is in the water regulation. There are periods when the water must be drained to let the field dry, then water is added again. Thanks to that, the rice plants are healthier, with fewer pests and diseases. The cost of fertilizer is reduced and there is an additional bonus from selling carbon credits.

Agricultural extension officers inspect the smart rice farming model in Khanh Yen commune.

The family of Mrs. Luu Thi Dan, Khanh Yen commune, has 7 fields and also participated in the model last spring.

Mrs. Dan said: Previously, each crop, the family spent about 1 million VND on fertilizer, now it has reduced by nearly 300 thousand VND. The rice is better, the grains are even, beautiful yellow color, the yield increased by about 300 kg. Although the care is more difficult because we have to divide the fertilizer into many small times and regulate the water according to the time, the effect is very clear. Next season, I will mobilize the villagers to expand the area of smart rice cultivation.

Farmers' profits increased by about 8 - 10 million VND/ha thanks to applying the smart rice farming model.

In the smart rice farming model, farmers are advised to use high-quality rice varieties such as Thien Uu 8, BC15, TBR225; apply the improved SRI intensive farming process on single-variety fields, with convenient irrigation and transportation systems.

People are instructed in alternate flooding and drying (AWD) techniques, using smart fertilizers and biological products to replace chemical pesticides, and collecting and composting straw to create organic fertilizer.

Some localities have begun applying 4.0 technology such as: drones to monitor fields, sensors to measure humidity, temperature, fertilizer amount, etc. to help production become more accurate and efficient.

In addition, people are supported with biological products, micronutrient fertilizers, methane emission measurement technology and reporting of CO2 emission reductions. Along with that are training courses and technical guidance to help people master the new process.

The results showed that farmers reduced production costs by 2 - 2.5 million VND per hectare, and rice productivity increased by about 800 kg/ha. In particular, when internationally certified, the product is also calculated for carbon credits, bringing in an average of nearly 1 million VND/ha/crop. In general, farmers' profits increased by about 8 - 10 million VND/ha.

The new farming method helps reduce input costs by about 20%, increase profit margins by 15-20%, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 10%. After each production season, Netzero Carbon Vietnam Joint Stock Company will determine the number of carbon credits and pay emission reduction bonuses to farmers at market prices.

Concentrated fields with convenient irrigation participate in the smart rice production model.

Not only does it have economic benefits, the model also helps change production practices. People limit planting many rice varieties in the same field, reducing the abuse of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. The concentrated and synchronized production process also creates favorable conditions for mechanization, improving the quality of agricultural products, and protecting the rural environment.

Previously, people mainly produced based on experience. Just a little change, such as reasonable fertilization, spraying pesticides at the right time, and scientific water regulation, the productivity and efficiency changed. In the future, we will open more training classes and build pilot models so that people in other localities can visit, learn and replicate.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Ha - Director of the Provincial Center for Agricultural Extension and Agricultural Services.

According to the Department of Agriculture and Environment, the province currently has about 30,000 hectares of rice, producing three crops a year, of which lowland areas grow two crops, highland areas grow one crop. With large-scale production, applying the smart rice model, reducing greenhouse gas emissions is considered a suitable direction, both improving production efficiency and improving the environment, adapting to climate change.

Based on the success of the spring crop, this crop the whole province has expanded to 400 hectares of rice in many communes following the model.

The smart rice model is bringing practical value to Lao Cai farmers. This is not only a solution to increase productivity and reduce costs, but also an important step for the local agricultural sector to develop in a green, sustainable direction, linked to market requirements.

Performed by: Thi Khanh

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/loi-ich-kep-tu-canh-tac-lua-thong-minh-post882417.html