Practical benefits from the IMO model

Chau Thanh is a predominantly agricultural district with a large amount of organic waste and agricultural by-products. Previously, people often discarded or burned them, causing environmental pollution. However, thanks to the model "Dong Thap farmers reuse organic household waste and agricultural by-products to create bio-products for production," these waste and by-products are effectively composted to produce organic fertilizer for plants.

Farmers use IMO-based enzymes to process water hyacinth to make organic fertilizer.

According to the Chau Thanh District Farmers' Association, after more than a year of implementing the model, 65 tons of organic waste and agricultural by-products have been processed into fertilizer. In addition, the model has helped farmers reduce input costs by 20-25%.

The "double" benefits of using IMO probiotics.

An Nhon commune, a region famous for its longan cultivation in Chau Thanh district, has undergone significant changes in its farming methods. About a decade ago, before organic fertilizers became widespread, farmers primarily used inorganic fertilizers. However, in August 2023, the commune was selected as a pilot site for the model " Dong Thap Farmers Reusing Organic Household Waste and Agricultural By-products to Create Biological Products for Production," initiated by the Dong Thap Provincial Farmers' Association. Since then, An Nhon commune has effectively adopted and implemented the model, achieving positive results.

According to Mr. Huynh Huu Thuan, Chairman of the An Nhon Commune Farmers' Association, to implement the model, the commune selected enthusiastic organic farmers in Bach Vien islet to carry out the pilot model, applying it to crops such as longan, durian, jackfruit, and using IMO to compost water hyacinth for fertilizer for fruit trees. Through the implementation process, many farmers have learned how to utilize IMO to process other waste products, composting them into fertilizer or spray preparations for pest control, helping to reduce production costs and increase profits.

IMO-based probiotics are made from familiar ingredients such as: iodized digestive enzymes, yogurt, sugar, yeast, rice bran, and bananas.

As a model household implementing the use of IMO (Indigenous Microorganisms) to treat snails and fish as fertilizer for longan trees, Mr. Le Thanh Lap in Tan Phu hamlet, An Nhon commune, shared that two years ago, he made his own organic fertilizer from fish to fertilize his trees, but due to the lack of processing enzymes, the odor was very strong. After the commune facilitated his participation in training on the technique of using IMO enzymes for composting, he applied it to his fish composting and found that it significantly reduced the odor, to only about 10% of what it was before. In addition to using IMO enzymes for fish composting, he also researched and utilized plants with pungent, strong odors to make pesticides for disease control on longan trees. Currently, with 4 acres of 17-year-old longan trees (25 trees), he uses 60-70% organic fertilizer, yielding 4.5-5 tons, a 10% increase compared to before, and significantly reducing production costs by about 50%.

Mr. Le Thanh Lap (Tan Phu hamlet, An Nhon commune, Chau Thanh district) mixes IMO fertilizer, fermented from snails, to fertilize his longan orchard.

Mr. Nguyen Van Duc, residing in Tan Phu hamlet, also applied IMO enzyme to process waste for fertilizing his jackfruit orchard. He shared that he has about 6 acres of jackfruit trees, intercropped with potatoes and beans. Besides utilizing household waste for composting, he also obtained discarded by-products from acquaintances such as soybean pulp, leftover vegetables, and straw to fertilize his jackfruit orchard. After implementing this method, he found it very effective, reducing production costs by 30%. Furthermore, the trees fertilized with IMO are greener and healthier than before, and their greenness lasts longer after each re-fertilization.

Mr. Huynh Huu Thuan stated that the model has helped farmers reduce production costs by approximately 25%, while successfully processing 45 tons of organic waste and agricultural by-products into fertilizer, making a significant contribution to environmental protection. Thanks to the effectiveness of the pilot model in Bach Vien islet, the locality has expanded it to 7 hamlets, attracting about 550 households to participate, equivalent to 100 hectares out of a total of 1,400 hectares of fruit trees in the commune.

Mr. Nguyen Van Duc (Tan Phu hamlet, An Nhon commune, Chau Thanh district) uses IMO-based fermented fish fertilizer to fertilize his bean and jackfruit trees.

Applying the model in agricultural production .

Mr. Phan Thanh Dung, Vice Chairman of the Chau Thanh District People's Committee, commented: "The IMO model has solved a difficult problem for farmers. Previously, using chemical fertilizers increased productivity but was costly and weakened the plants. IMO has emerged as a comprehensive solution, meeting all the requirements of 'favorable timing, location, and human factors,' because the materials are readily available, the method is simple, the cost is low, and most importantly, it is safe for health. Therefore, this model has received enthusiastic support from farmers."

Following the success of the pilot model in An Nhon commune, Chau Thanh district has expanded the implementation of the IMO bio-fertilizer model throughout the entire area. In 2024, all 11 communes in the district were instructed to use IMO to compost and recycle organic agricultural by-products for agricultural production. Simultaneously, households were also guided on waste sorting at source. Furthermore, the district implemented this model in all 41 schools, producing 850 liters of starter culture for environmental treatment. Approximately 12,000 students received guidance on waste sorting and bio-fertilizer production, contributing to raising environmental awareness in the community.

Many young people came to visit the IMO composting model used to fertilize plants at Mr. Le Thanh Lap's family farm.

Mr. Phan Thanh Dung further stated that utilizing agricultural waste and by-products has changed farmers' production mindset, moving towards the use of organic fertilizers and reducing costs by 20-25% compared to chemical fertilizers. However, the model still faces difficulties due to the labor-intensive implementation and the lack of interest from some people, leading to the waste of waste and by-products.

To maximize the potential and benefits of the IMO model in agricultural production, the Chau Thanh District People's Committee has issued specific directives. Relevant units, including the district's specialized departments, the District Farmers' Association, and the People's Committees of communes and towns, are continuing to expand the model throughout the district. The goal is to guide people in fully utilizing agricultural by-products, transforming them into valuable inputs for production. The district is also actively calling on investors to cooperate with local cooperatives to invest in the organic fertilizer processing process. This will create favorable conditions and encourage farmers to adopt the IMO model more widely.

IMO (Indigenous Microorganisms) is a biological preparation made from native microorganisms. The method for making IMO starter culture is as follows: First, to make the starter culture, use digestive enzymes (iodine), yogurt, sugar, yeast, rice bran, and bananas. Mix and ferment for 24 hours, then dry. Once the starter culture is ready, compost by adding enough water to the starter culture, then using this water to water the agricultural waste and by-products. Let it compost for about 3-4 days before applying it to plants.

Comment (0)