Low emission rice cultivation, 4 times less pesticide spraying

Harvesting ST25 rice at a pilot field under the low-emission model in Soc Trang - Photo: KHAC TAM

On September 4 in Soc Trang, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, in coordination with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and the People's Committee of Soc Trang province, held a conference to review the implementation of the first pilot crop of the project.

Mr. Le Thanh Tung - Deputy Director of the Department of Crop Production - said that the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is currently implementing 7 pilot models under the project of sustainable development of 1 million hectares of high-quality and low-emission rice cultivation associated with green growth in the Mekong Delta in 5 provinces and cities: Can Tho City, Dong Thap, Kien Giang , Tra Vinh and Soc Trang.

According to Mr. Tung, the initial results of the models were very positive, reducing costs, increasing productivity, contributing to significantly increasing income for farmers. The pilot model in Soc Trang is a typical example.

Mr. Tran Tan Phuong - Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Soc Trang province - said that in the summer-autumn crop of 2024, Soc Trang will pilot 50 hectares at Hung Loi Agricultural Cooperative (Long Duc commune, Long Phu district, Soc Trang province) with 46 households. The rice variety chosen for sowing is ST25, with a growth period of 105 days.

Mr. Phuong said the model applies the technical process of producing high-quality and low-emission rice in the Mekong Delta, according to the decision of the Department of Crop Production.

Accordingly, applying mechanization to the fields, sowing by machine, using 60kg/ha of seeds, reducing 10kg/ha compared to farmers outside the model; especially reducing 4 times of spraying pesticides and reducing over 41% of nitrogen compared to outside the model.

The measurement of emissions is closely monitored. The pilot model applying the technical process of emission reduction issued by the Department of Crop Production has an emission of 9,505 kg of CO ₂ , equivalent to 1 ha/crop. While outside the model, without applying the process, the emission is 13,501 kg of CO ₂ . The difference in emissions inside and outside the model is 3,996 kg of CO ₂ .

After harvesting, all straw is removed from the field by straw roller. Then biological products are used to decompose the straw.

Mr. Phuong said that the production cost according to the pilot model is about 21 million VND/ha, 5.3 million VND/ha lower than outside the model.

According to Mr. Phuong, the investment cost is low, reducing seeds by 40%, fertilizers by 34.2%, pesticides by 44.8% and irrigation by 13%, but still achieving high productivity, about 6.5 tons/ha, selling price of 10,800 VND/kg. After deducting costs, the profit of the pilot model is 5.2 million VND higher than outside the model.

"Through one production season, initial economic efficiency shows that reducing input materials does not affect productivity, helping to increase profits for farmers.

This is a motivation to encourage people to replicate the model in the future. In the upcoming winter-spring crop, Soc Trang will pilot 340 hectares of high-quality, low-emission rice cultivation in the localities," Mr. Phuong informed.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/trong-lua-phat-thai-thap-giam-4-lan-phun-thuoc-bao-ve-thuc-vat-20240904111348477.htm