IPHM application - sustainable agricultural development

Black grape growing model using IPHM method of Mr. Nguyen Dinh Tuan's household, Chieng Mung commune.

Farmers change the way they think and do things

Plant health management (IPHM) is a new step of inheritance and development of the integrated pest management program on crops (IPM.) The difference between the two programs lies in the approach, while IPM mainly focuses on eliminating harmful organisms, IPHM tends to apply solutions to improve the health of crops to better resist diseases. In case of necessity, measures to eliminate harmful organisms can be used, but mainly using natural enemies or biological solutions.

Soil improvement is a mandatory requirement in the IPHM method.

In the past three years, the black grape farm of Mr. Nguyen Dinh Tuan, village 6, Chieng Mung commune, has applied IPHM farming. With 8,000 m² of land, Mr. Tuan uses a greenhouse system, automatic irrigation, and absolutely does not use herbicides or chemical pesticides. Instead, he enhances the nutrition of the plants with self-composted organic fertilizer from fish, corn, soybeans, bananas, milk and molasses combined with biological products.

Mr. Tuan shared: Thanks to applying IPHM, my vineyard has grown healthily, with few pests and diseases, sweet, fragrant and safe fruit. Customers trust me, the selling price is stable, and the profit is higher than traditional farming.

From the results, many production models following the IPHM direction have been built in localities; people have been supported with seeds and materials, and have been able to visit and learn from real models. In 2024, the Provincial Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection deployed a model of applying IPHM to cantaloupe cultivation in Bo village, Chieng An ward. The model has a scale of over 300 m² with 3 participating households. Participating in the model, IPHM techniques on plant care have been transferred to people from guiding field visits to observe and monitor the growth and development of plants, promptly detecting early signs of abnormalities, pests and diseases, to assessing environmental factors such as: soil, water, weather and other factors that can affect plant health.

Melon growing model of farmers in Bo village, Chieng An ward.

Ms. Ca Thi Noi, Bo village, Chieng An ward, one of the households participating in the model, shared: Applying the IPHM process, the melons have few pests and diseases, large fruit, beautiful appearance, and an average weight of 0.7-1 kg. In 2024, with 100 m², I harvested nearly 3 quintals, sold for 40,000 VND/kg, earning more than 10 million VND. In particular, the model reduces the use of chemical drugs, is safe for health and the environment. We are very excited, hoping that the model will be replicated.

Through evaluation, the IPHM cultivation process helps farmers reduce 5-6 times of spraying pesticides/crop, reducing 20-30% of chemical fertilizers. The most important thing is to control chemical residues on agricultural products, creating high-quality products. IPHM is a crop management system based on a specific environmental foundation of soil, water, pests, beneficial organisms, and weather.

Keep the soil "healthy"

According to the assessment of the professional agency, the IPHM solution is aimed at being general, mainly to help the soil be healthy, the plants be healthy, safe, have good resistance, apply scientific and technological advances, protect the ecological environment... Especially improving the level of understanding of farmers about pests, soil, water, along with appropriate treatment solutions. At the same time, farmers also have the ability to communicate and share experiences with the community for mutual application.

Red-fleshed dragon fruit growing model of farmers in Chieng Mung commune.

With the determination to build sustainable agriculture, on March 14, 2024, the People's Committee of Son La province issued Plan No. 81/KH-UBND on the development and management of integrated plant health (IPHM). Accordingly, by 2030, it is expected that over 90% of the area of rice, vegetables, fruit trees, flowers, ornamental plants and medicinal plants will apply IPHM; 70% of the area of corn and industrial crops will apply IPHM; the amount of chemical pesticides and inorganic fertilizers will be reduced by 30% and economic efficiency will increase by 15-20% compared to conventional production. Over 80% of communes have a core group of farmers with knowledge, skills and effective application of IPHM, capable of guiding other farmers to apply IPHM, evaluate the effectiveness and disseminate the results to the community. Strive for over 90% of communes and wards to collect used pesticide packaging in accordance with regulations. Strive for over 50% of rice, vegetable and fruit tree areas to apply IPHM.

Mr. Ho Trung Kien, Head of the Provincial Department of Crop Production and Preservation, said: The Department is focusing on completing the consultation on a specific implementation plan. In particular, promoting propaganda to raise awareness of IPHM. Developing propaganda documents on legal regulations in the management of agricultural materials, such as: Plant protection drugs, seeds, fertilizers and instructions for collecting used plant protection drug packaging; replicating the model of "farmers guiding farmers" through practical experiments applying IPHM in the field.

The application of IPHM not only brings economic efficiency to farmers but also contributes to environmental protection and food safety. When widely applied, IPHM will help make fields healthier, produce higher quality agricultural products, creating a foundation for Son La to develop green, sustainable agriculture and enhance its position in the market.

Source: https://baosonla.vn/kinh-te/ung-dung-iphm-phat-trien-nong-nghiep-ben-vung-mZBNqSlNg.html