Helping the people of Salavan to intensify maize cultivation.

With support in terms of seeds, supplies, and technology transfer from Binh Dinh province, the intensive maize cultivation model transferred to farmers in Salavan province (Laos) has yielded quite high results. As a result, people's awareness has significantly improved in applying advanced techniques for intensive farming to increase productivity, control pests and diseases, ensure food safety and hygiene, and minimize environmental impact.

In 2023, Binh Dinh province and four southern Lao provinces (Attapeu, Sekong, Champasak, Salavan) signed a cooperation agreement for the period 2021-2025 in the following fields: Education and training, Health, Agriculture , Science and technology, Culture and sports, Tourism, and Media.

In the agricultural sector, Binh Dinh province sent experts in crop cultivation, aquaculture, livestock farming, and veterinary medicine to four southern provinces of Laos to provide guidance on cultivation, care, and protection of crops; and to train on techniques for raising livestock, poultry, and aquatic animals and preventing and controlling diseases. At the same time, the province received delegations of agricultural officials from the four southern provinces of Laos to exchange and learn from experiences in agricultural production, organize short-term training courses, and provide practical guidance at suitable locations.

A delegation of experts from Binh Dinh province handed over seeds and supplies to implement an intensive maize cultivation model in Salavan province. (Photo: TN)

In October 2024, the People's Committee of Binh Dinh province sent technical staff from the Agricultural Extension Center (under the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, now the Department of Agriculture and Environment) to Salavan province to implement a model of intensive maize cultivation on a scale of 5 hectares, from October 2024 to March 2025, with a total implementation cost of over 287 million VND.

In late October 2024, in Salavan province, the People's Committee of Binh Dinh province, in coordination with the Department of Agriculture and Forestry of Salavan province, held a handover ceremony for 100 kg of corn seeds, 7,500 kg of organic microbial fertilizer, 25 kg of Trichoderma preparations, and other essential supplies to support the implementation of the model. Simultaneously, experts from Binh Dinh province were assigned to directly develop the implementation plan, training materials, and translate them into Lao to facilitate technical transfer and model implementation guidance. In addition, the Department of Agriculture and Forestry of Salavan province also assigned personnel to coordinate the selection of implementation sites and create favorable conditions for the successful transfer of the model.

After 5 months of implementation, the model yielded very positive results. The corn plants grew and developed well, adapting well to local farming conditions. Grain yield reached 8.4 tons/ha, 2.1 tons/ha higher than the control (33.3%); fresh corn ear yield reached 15.5 tons/ha, 3.6 tons/ha higher than the control (31.2%); and average profit reached nearly 82 million VND/ha, 21.59 million VND/ha higher than the control (36%).

According to Mr. Ho Quang Thach, a specialist from Binh Dinh province who directly guided and transferred technology to farmers in Salavan: "The model was implemented during the dry season and faced many difficulties such as an unsynchronized irrigation system, a dry and cold climate, scattered cultivation areas across many villages, and limited farming techniques among the local people... But thanks to the efforts of all parties involved, especially the Lao people's willingness to learn and apply the transferred technology, the model has achieved quite high efficiency. Growth, nutrition, and reproductive growth indicators are all met, exceeding the traditional production practices of the local people by 31-33%, and the economic efficiency has increased by more than 35% compared to before."

The model transferred by Binh Dinh province has been recognized and highly appreciated by the local government and people, helping people diversify crops on converted rice land, increasing productivity and income per unit area.

Mr. Sinxay Phetphenglasy, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Forestry of Salavan Province, said: "We will direct, develop development orientations, and replicate this model throughout the province. Hopefully, in the future, cooperation, exchange, and sharing of experiences between Binh Dinh and Salavan provinces will be further strengthened and more closely linked to support and facilitate the development of Salavan province's agriculture, ensure food security, develop key local agricultural products, and contribute to the sustainable development of the country's agriculture."

THANH NGUYEN

Source: https://baobinhdinh.vn/viewer.aspx?macm=5&macmp=5&mabb=354696