Green, clean, and high-quality production.

Việt Nam•27/02/2024

A model for applying biological products in organic rice production, linked with collaboration in the communes of the Dien Bien basin.

The practice of growing two rice crops per year continues to demonstrate a clear shift in awareness and a change in long-standing farming practices among farmers. Many localities, businesses, and cooperatives have raised farmers' awareness regarding reducing seed usage, implementing integrated pest management (IPM), using pesticides according to the "four correct principles," reducing inorganic fertilizer use, implementing the "three reductions and three increases" approach, and mechanizing production. These synchronized solutions and technical processes have brought many benefits, helping to reduce production costs and environmental pollution.

Dien Bien district has the largest area of double-cropping rice production in Dien Bien province, averaging over 4,500 hectares per crop.

Mr. Chu Van Bach, Head of the Agriculture and Rural Development Department of Dien Bien District, said: In recent years, the district has focused on using rice varieties with high yields and resistance to pests and diseases, and adaptability to climate change. At the same time, it has promoted mechanization in production. Currently, the entire district has basically applied mechanization in all three stages: land preparation, planting, and harvesting. By 2025, Dien Bien district aims to apply mechanization in rice cultivation and pesticide spraying.

Dien Bien District also focuses on implementing solutions to improve the capacity and awareness of the people, such as: training on plant health management (IPHM), training to improve the capacity of commune-level authorities in managing the trade and use of fertilizers and pesticides. It also creates conditions for businesses and cooperatives to link production and consumption of rice products. As a result, the quality and value of Dien Bien District's rice products in the market are gradually improving.

Promote the application of mechanization in all stages of rice production in the Muong Thanh rice fields.

Not only in rice production, Dien Bien province has also made significant progress in the field of crop cultivation, moving towards safe and environmentally friendly production. Currently, the province has 23 safe agricultural product production and supply chains. These chains have successfully established linkages between businesses, production and trading establishments, and households. The products are of high quality, have proper packaging and labeling, and are traceable; some products have raw material areas supported by organic certification. Examples include: the fruit tree cultivation model of Cara Farm Vietnam Co., Ltd. in Dien Bien district; the tea raw material area of Phan Nhat Tea Co., Ltd. in Xuan Lao commune (Muong Ang district); and the high-quality tea from Tua Chua.

Cara Farm Vietnam Co., Ltd. began implementing its fruit tree cultivation model in 2014. To date, it owns an orchard covering 3.5 hectares, including: 2 hectares of oranges; 1 hectare of pomelos; and 0.5 hectares of bananas. From the very beginning of the model's implementation, the company has focused on organic production methods, developing delicious, clean, and environmentally friendly products. After 8 years of implementation, in October 2022, the model received organic agricultural product certification.

Workers at Cara Farm Vietnam Co., Ltd. are caring for fruit trees using organic farming methods.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan Huong, Director of Cara Farm Vietnam Co., Ltd., said: "From the beginning, I chose two main varieties to implement the model: Cara oranges originating from Australia and green-skinned pomelos originating from Ben Tre province. Green-skinned pomelos and red-fleshed Cara oranges are valuable fruits with high vitamin content, good for health, and also have high economic value. In addition, the climate and soil conditions of Dien Bien province are very suitable, not yet polluted by smoke, dust, and waste, making them suitable for organic farming. Especially, the large temperature difference between day and night is a huge advantage, an ideal condition for developing citrus fruits. The products will have a unique flavor and quality, only found in Dien Bien."

After selecting the ideal seedlings and planting area, Cara Farm Vietnam Co., Ltd. pays special attention to the planting and care methods. In particular, they avoid the overuse of pesticides, insecticides, and growth regulators, opting instead for organic methods. This creates the most favorable conditions for the closed-loop transformation of the orchard, establishing a balanced ecosystem within the garden, thus producing clean, high-quality products. Organic production yields lower or approximately equal productivity compared to traditional methods, but in return, the product value and market price are higher. Currently, the selling price of green pomelo is 70,000 VND/kg, and Cara oranges are 90,000-120,000 VND/kg. All harvested products are sold immediately. The market is no longer limited to Dien Bien province but has expanded to major provinces and cities nationwide. Currently, the company plans to expand the model to 4.5 hectares.

In livestock farming, waste treatment and the utilization of agricultural by-products through the development of a circular economy are being applied on various scales. Dien Bien province has been developing livestock farming on a farm scale and household level, focusing on organic and specialized farming practices.

Medium and small-scale farms all have measures in place to collect and treat waste.

To date, the province has two livestock and poultry farms that meet the criteria for farm economics. In addition, districts continue to expand livestock farming towards biosafety, disease safety, and environmental friendliness. Farmers and livestock facilities are using biological bedding and biological products to treat the environment in livestock farming. Currently, two large-scale farms have environmental impact assessment reports and waste treatment systems; medium and small-scale farms all have waste collection and treatment measures; and approximately 4,900 livestock households are applying waste treatment methods (collection, composting, biogas digesters, and the use of biological bedding). In addition, several VietGAP-standard pig farming linkages have been established in the province, with a scale of approximately 1,200 - 1,300 fattening pigs per batch (2 - 3 batches per year) through contract farming with domestic and foreign enterprises (CP Vietnam Livestock Corporation, Mavin Group Corporation).

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