Improving fertilizer use efficiency towards emission reduction

Specialized management agencies need to continue to strictly manage the production, trading and use of agricultural materials, especially fertilizers and pesticides.

On November 13 in Phu Tho, the National Fertilizer Testing Center coordinated with the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Phu Tho province and Lam Thao Super Phosphate and Chemical Joint Stock Company to organize a workshop on "Green and clean farming solutions, improving the efficiency of fertilizer use according to the circular economy orientation, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving soil health on some key crops in Phu Tho and Lao Cai".

The event attracted the participation of managers, experts, businesses and agricultural cooperatives, farmers from Phu Tho, Lao Cai and many provinces across the country.

Mr. Nghiem Quang Tuan, Deputy Director of the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection, spoke at the workshop. Photo: Hung Khang.

Phu Tho and Lao Cai have great potential for circular agriculture.

According to Mr. Nguyen Hong Yen, Head of the Department of Cultivation and Plant Protection of Phu Tho province, the province has a favorable geographical location, is a bridge between economic regions with diverse climatic conditions from plains to mountains, very suitable for growing many types of crops.

Currently, the province has more than 304 thousand hectares of annual crops, 53 thousand hectares of perennial crops, including 36 thousand hectares of fruit trees and 14 thousand hectares of tea. After the merger, the province has 752 agricultural cooperatives, more than 100 craft villages and 636 OCOP products with 3 stars or more, many of which have been exported to the EU and the United States.

“Phu Tho is gradually perfecting its policy on developing green, circular and sustainable agriculture; promoting linkages in the green agricultural value chain, while focusing on training human resources and improving production capacity for farmers,” Mr. Yen emphasized.

Ms. Ma Thi Thu Ha, Head of the Department of Cultivation and Plant Protection - Lao Cai Sub-Department of Cultivation, Plant Protection and Livestock - Aquaculture, shared: After the merger, Lao Cai has more than 1.15 million hectares of agricultural land, accounting for 87.48% of the total natural area. This is a favorable condition for developing large-scale commodity production with key products such as tea, fruit trees, medicinal herbs and mulberry.

Ms. Ma Thi Thu Ha, Head of the Department of Cultivation and Plant Protection - Lao Cai Sub-Department of Cultivation, Plant Protection and Livestock - Aquaculture presented a paper at the workshop. Photo: Hung Khang.

Currently, the whole province has more than 5,000 hectares of organic agricultural production, of which tea accounts for 1,141 hectares, cinnamon 3,851 hectares and many models of growing mushrooms and organic fruit trees have initially brought about effectiveness.

“In the 2026-2030 period, Lao Cai strives for an agricultural growth rate of over 5% per year, with the value of agricultural, forestry and fishery production reaching over VND25 trillion. We have identified three pillars of development: ecological agriculture, modern countryside and civilized farmers,” said Ms. Ha.

Green transformation, the inevitable path

At the workshop, Mr. Bui Duy Linh, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Phu Tho province, emphasized: In the face of complex climate changes and increasing market demands for quality and traceability, switching to green, clean, and circular agriculture is no longer an option but a mandatory path if sustainable development is desired.

After the merger, Phu Tho has more than 9,300 square kilometers of natural area, of which agricultural land accounts for 83%, creating favorable conditions for diversified agricultural development, from food crops, vegetables, fruit trees to industrial crops. After the merger, the province is facing a great opportunity to become the green agricultural center of the country, but still faces many challenges, from the habit of overusing chemicals to the unpredictable impacts of climate change.

Many OCOP products in Phu Tho province were introduced at the workshop. Photo: Hung Khang.

“Today’s workshop is a forum for management agencies, businesses, cooperatives and farmers to share experiences and propose feasible solutions to form a circular agriculture, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve soil health and agricultural product value,” Mr. Linh affirmed.

Mr. Le Van Thiet, former Deputy Director of the Plant Protection Department, said that the degradation of agricultural land is becoming serious due to backward farming practices and over-exploitation of land resources.

“Pollution from industrial zones and craft villages is increasing, while the organic matter content in the soil is decreasing significantly. If production methods are not changed, the soil will gradually lose its vitality,” said Mr. Thiet.

Mr. Thiet recommended that the State should have policies to prioritize and encourage enterprises and cooperatives to develop circular economic models, reduce emissions and use agricultural resources effectively. At the same time, it is necessary to strengthen support mechanisms, transfer science and technology, and help farmers access modern, green farming techniques.

Delegates attentively watched the film "Friends of the Land - For a bumper harvest" produced by the Agriculture and Environment Newspaper. Photo: Hung Khang.

Strict control of fertilizers

Mr. Tran Van Thanh, Deputy Director of the National Fertilizer Testing Center, stated: "To build a truly green agriculture, we need to start from the root, which is to strictly control input materials and fertilizer production processes."

Mr. Thanh recommends that fertilizer manufacturers use raw materials with low cadmium and chloride content, and clearly state the main ingredients on the packaging. It is necessary to add beneficial microorganisms that have been scientifically proven to help reduce the mobility of heavy metals (Cd, Pb...) in the soil.

“The management agency needs to soon issue a set of standards on heavy metal content (Hg, Cd, As, Pb) applicable to all fertilizer products to prevent and minimize impacts on the environment and human health,” Mr. Thanh emphasized.

Mr. Nghiem Quang Tuan, Deputy Director of the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection, said that in recent times, the Party and the State have issued many important resolutions and policies to promote the development of agriculture in general and the crop production sector in particular in a modern and sustainable direction. Organizing and implementing green, clean, and effective agriculture, based on the orientation of a circular economy, reducing emissions, improving soil health, and protecting the ecosystem is an urgent and long-term task.

Many new fertilizer products of Lam Thao Super Phosphate and Chemical Joint Stock Company were introduced at the conference space. Photo: Hung Khang.

"In the past, we have had many forums, conferences, and workshops to discuss in depth policies and implementation solutions. Today's workshop is an opportunity for management agencies, businesses, and people to exchange and share experiences on farming solutions, using fertilizers effectively, safely, and environmentally friendly, towards the common goal of developing green, sustainable agriculture.

In the coming time, specialized management agencies at the central and local levels need to continue to strengthen coordination, grasp and synthesize information, and accompany businesses and cooperatives in strictly managing the production, trading and use of agricultural materials, especially fertilizers and pesticides. The goal is to ensure safety, improve production efficiency, increase the value of goods and protect the ecological environment," Mr. Tuan emphasized.

Source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/nang-cao-hieu-qua-su-dung-phan-bon-theo-dinh-huong-giam-phat-thai-d784069.html