Because of the agricultural ecosystem

QTO - After each winter-spring rice harvest, the burning of rice straw remains common in many fields due to the relatively short transition period between the summer and autumn crops. However, this practice not only pollutes the environment but also depletes soil nutrients. Therefore, treating rice straw with biological preparations is considered a suitable approach, gradually changing the farming practices of the people.

Mr. Nguyen Van Khanh, from Kim Giao village, My Thuy commune, said that his family owns nearly 1.5 hectares of rice fields. After harvesting with a combine harvester, a considerable amount of straw is left in the fields. However, because the transition period from winter-spring to summer-autumn is quite short, only 10-15 days, although he knows that burning the straw directly in the fields will affect the soil, he has no other choice. "Even though I know burning it will affect the environment, if I don't burn it, there will be too much straw, making it very difficult to prepare the land and preventing timely planting," Mr. Khanh shared.

Mr. Khanh's household is not alone; the practice of burning rice straw after harvest remains common in many localities. According to Mr. Vo Minh Canh, Director of Kim Giao Agricultural Cooperative, the cooperative currently has about 216 hectares of rice fields, and after each harvest, a large amount of rice straw is generated. Meanwhile, there is currently almost no organized unit to systematically collect the straw, so farmers mainly handle it themselves using traditional methods. Mr. Canh believes that the short time between harvests is the biggest reason why people still choose to burn rice straw.

"If the fields aren't cleaned quickly, farmers won't be able to prepare the land and plant seeds in time for the season. The cooperative has also repeatedly promoted the reduction of straw burning, but without an effective, convenient, and cost-effective alternative, it's very difficult to change people's habits," Mr. Canh said.

Farmers are instructed on how to use biological products to treat rice straw - Photo: LA

In reality, burning rice straw not only causes air pollution but also depletes important natural organic matter in the fields. Smoke from burning straw also affects traffic and people's daily lives and poses a potential fire hazard during the hot season. Given this situation, finding alternative solutions is becoming urgent. Among these, the model of applying biological products to treat rice straw directly in the fields, implemented by the Provincial Agricultural Extension Center in many localities, is being positively received by farmers.

Mr. Nguyen Van Tuan, from Tien My Agricultural Cooperative in Vinh Thuy commune, said that previously, he mainly burned rice straw because the two cropping seasons were close together. However, since being guided on the use of biological products, managing the fields has become much easier. "This method not only helps to quickly process the rice straw but also reduces soil acidity and creates more organic fertilizer for the fields," Mr. Tuan shared.

According to Ms. Tran Thi Thuy, M.Sc., from the Provincial Agricultural Extension Center, the current model uses Lacto Powder Que Lam biological product, which contains many beneficial microorganisms capable of rapidly decomposing organic matter, fixing nitrogen, breaking down insoluble phosphorus, and stimulating plant growth. According to the technical process, after harvesting, farmers flood the field with water to a level of about 2-3 cm, spread lime powder, and then harrow the field to crush the rice stubble. Afterward, they evenly spread the biological product on the field surface, harrow it again, and keep the field flooded for about 7-10 days to allow the straw to decompose completely.

"If the process is done correctly, the straw will decompose quickly, reducing the risk of organic poisoning and helping the rice plants grow better in the next season," Ms. Thuy added.

Although the initial results have been positive, scaling up the model still faces many difficulties due to the long-standing farming practices of the local people. In addition, many households remain hesitant about the cost and time involved compared to traditional burning methods.

According to Mr. Bui Phuoc Trang, Head of the Provincial Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection, in recent times, the Department of Agriculture and Environment has intensified its efforts to educate and guide people not to burn rice straw after harvest in order to reduce environmental pollution and protect the agricultural ecosystem. Localities have also integrated this content into many sustainable agricultural production programs. Furthermore, legally, regulations and administrative penalties have been established for the act of burning crop by-products that cause environmental pollution at various levels.

However, in reality, inspection and handling are difficult because the burning occurs on a small scale, scattered in many places, and mainly stems from the production needs of the people.

"To change the habit of burning rice straw, the most important thing is to have solutions that suit the actual production conditions of farmers. When people see that treating rice straw with biological products reduces labor, improves soil, and ensures timely planting, then this model can be sustainably replicated," Mr. Trang emphasized.

Le An

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/kinh-te/202605/vi-he-sinh-thai-dong-ruong-0613600/