Applying technology – a lever for reducing emissions in agricultural production.

Son La is strongly applying science and technology to production, contributing to promoting green, circular and sustainable agriculture.

Significant reduction in emissions from inputs

During the period 2021-2025, Son La province focused on implementing green production solutions, with an emphasis on applying microbial technology, enzymes, proteins, and biological preparations to control pests and diseases in crops. This approach helps gradually replace chemical pesticides, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and create a safer farming environment.

The Provincial Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection is guiding farmers to bag mangoes to limit pests and diseases and reduce the use of pesticides. Photo: Nguyen Nga.

The Provincial Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection regularly conducts training and awareness campaigns for farmers on the use of pesticides according to the "four correct principles"; and signs commitments with establishments and households producing vegetables and fruits to enhance the responsibility of pesticide users. As a result, the use of pesticides in safe production areas, VietGAP-certified areas, and export-oriented areas is strictly adhered to, ensuring the required withdrawal period and food safety.

At the same time, the province is guiding farmers to increase the use of organic fertilizers and limit the use of chemical fertilizers to reduce soil-borne emissions. Organic fertilizers must be composted and not used fresh; chemical fertilizers must be applied in a balanced manner, avoiding excessive use of nitrogen fertilizers and applying them at the correct growth stages of the crops. Post-harvest waste such as straw and plant stems are collected and absolutely not burned in the fields to avoid smoke, dust, and air pollution. Reducing nitrogen fertilizer and stopping the burning of straw significantly reduces the emissions of nitrogen oxides (N2O) and methane (CH4), two gases that have a global warming potential many times greater than CO₂.

In addition, many effective integrated pest management (IPM) models have been implemented on longan, mango, orange, tangerine, passion fruit, cabbage, etc., helping to reduce the amount of pesticides by 20-30% compared to traditional farming, contributing to reducing greenhouse gas emissions right from the input. The entire province currently has over 264 hectares of crops certified organic; 5,596 hectares achieving VietGAP; and 23,448 hectares of coffee certified for sustainable production.

In fact, the province has recorded significant results from the application of environmentally friendly farming practices. In Phieng Pan, Chieng Son, and Muong E communes, the IPM model on passion fruit, after nearly a year of implementation on an area of ​​15 hectares, has helped reduce the amount of chemical fertilizer by 15-20% and reduce pest and disease damage by 20-30%. As a result, it has stabilized the ecological balance of the fields, minimized environmental pollution, and resulted in 60-70% of the fruit being grade 1, yielding a price 20-30% higher than passion fruit grown using traditional methods.

In Phu Yen commune, the low-emission organic rice farming model of Quang Huy Agricultural Service Cooperative has expanded from 30 hectares to nearly 130 hectares, attracting approximately 160 participating households. Without the use of chemical pesticides, the soil is more porous, methane (CH4) emissions from the rice fields are reduced, the plants are healthier, yields are stable, and farmers' profits have increased from 20-30 million VND/hectare/season previously to 70-80 million VND/hectare/season. Phu Yen rice has been granted trademark protection and enjoys stable consumption, demonstrating the effectiveness of green production.

Modernize farming processes

In addition to the above solutions, Son La also focuses on reducing direct emissions from farming, irrigation, and agricultural product preservation. The area under drip and sprinkler irrigation has reached over 3,200 hectares, mainly for fruit trees and industrial crops; over 115 hectares of greenhouses, net houses, and glasshouses have been constructed. The farming environment is better controlled, reducing pests and diseases, and decreasing the need for pesticides. Water conservation in the drip irrigation model also reduces nitrogen oxide (N2O) emissions from the soil by limiting prolonged soil moisture.

The application of water-saving irrigation techniques helps farmers in Son La reduce production costs, improve farming efficiency, and contribute to reducing emissions. Photo: Duc Binh.

To date, the province has established 9 high-tech production zones for crops such as custard apples, mangoes, longan, plums, coffee, and tea. These zones operate according to controlled farming environments, helping to reduce pests and diseases and decrease the need for pesticides, thereby indirectly reducing N2O and CO2 emissions. Many processing businesses have invested in wastewater treatment systems and reused by-products to produce organic fertilizer, helping to limit landfilling and anaerobic decomposition, which are the causes of methane (CH4) emissions.

Mechanization has been promoted, contributing to labor savings and reduced emissions from production activities. Currently, land preparation has reached 100% for some crops such as sugarcane and tea; and over 50% for rice, cassava, corn, and coffee. Plant care and protection for rice and other crops has reached over 40%; and tea harvesting has reached over 80%.

Along with production infrastructure, digital technology is being strongly implemented through planting area codes, traceability, and production area management. Currently, the province maintains 216 export planting area codes, an important foundation for ensuring quality, reducing technical risks, and optimizing transportation, thereby reducing indirect emissions in the supply chain.

According to Ms. Pham Thi Lan, Deputy Head of the Provincial Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection, applying science and technology is a key solution for farmers to proactively produce, overcome seasonality, reduce dependence on weather, and meet the increasingly high demands of the market, while simultaneously reducing emissions and increasing adaptability to climate change.

In the coming period, the Sub-Department will continue to advise the Department of Agriculture and Environment to more strongly research and apply solutions in biotechnology, greenhouses, drip irrigation, sensors, automation, etc., in production, preliminary processing, processing, and consumption. It will effectively implement tasks and solutions according to the roadmap set out in the Project on Reducing Emissions in Crop Production for the period 2025-2035, with a vision to 2050, in the province.

At the same time, widely implement the registration and management of production area codes, combined with the synchronized application of new technologies and techniques to conquer demanding markets, aiming for the goal of developing green, efficient, and sustainable agriculture.

Source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/ung-dung-cong-nghe--don-bay-giam-phat-thai-trong-san-xuat-nong-nghiep-d787803.html