Ethnic households participating in the model "Managing fall armyworms that damage corn"

In the summer-autumn crop of 2023, ethnic minority households in La Da commune (Ham Thuan Bac) participated in the model "Managing fall armyworms in corn" implemented by the provincial Department of Cultivation and Plant Protection. From a production area that was previously severely damaged by armyworms, the model has helped ethnic minority households limit the use of chemicals, while still being able to destroy many worms, increasing crop yields.

Implement the area previously severely damaged by fall armyworm

In the summer-autumn crop of 2023 (from June to September 2023), the Provincial Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection (PPD) implemented the model of "Managing fall armyworms that damage corn" in La Da commune (Ham Thuan Bac) with a scale of 5,000 m2. This is the first model applied in the district in the summer-autumn crop of 2023, deployed in an area previously severely damaged by armyworms.

*Corn is severely damaged by fall armyworm.*

To implement the model, right from the beginning of the season, the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection selected households to participate in the model, provided technical training to farmers and supported the costs of material production to implement the model according to the set process. Accordingly, the household participating in the model is Mr. Bo Dam Ram, village 1, La Da commune. The corn variety used is NK7328 Bt/GT (10 kg/5,000 m2), funded from the agricultural career budget.

*Technical training for households at the model implementation site.*

Through training, farmers in the area and households directly participating in the model are provided with basic knowledge and techniques on implementing insect lures using "Sweet and sour traps", contributing to raising awareness and diversifying methods of preventing and destroying harmful armyworms to protect people's crops. From the results achieved by the model, people will proactively apply many combined measures to reduce the density of armyworms causing damage to each corn crop. During the implementation of the model, officers of the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection directly provide technical guidance in the field such as how to prepare traps, set stakes, put bait in traps, dosage of insecticide, etc. In addition, the model owner is instructed by technical staff on techniques of caring for and preventing and controlling pests on corn.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Truc - model monitoring officer (Department of Cultivation and Plant Protection of the province) said: During the implementation of the model, households directly checked the implementation, care, fertilization and pest control according to the instructions of technical staff through steps such as cutting egg nests; sweet and sour traps with the number of sweet and sour traps 25 trap jars/5,000 m2 (molasses, vinegar, alcohol, water, ratio 4:4:1:1); LufenExtra pesticide (Lufenuror + Emamectin benzoate). NK7328 Bt/GT variety was treated twice, from the stage when the newly sown corn had 5 leaves, from the stage when the corn had 7 leaves to the tip...

Significantly reduce pests and diseases, increase crop yields

According to the assessment of the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection, the model results showed that the NK7328 Bt/GT variety did not have any worms after 10 days of sowing. Only 1% appeared after 24 days of sowing. Spraying pesticides until 52 days after sowing did not see any worms anymore. Over the time of implementing the sweet and sour model, in addition to butterflies, there were also bees, moths and other insects in the trap.

According to the household implementing the model, the expected yield of corn in the model is about 9 tons/ha, compared to the actual yield in 2022 of 7 tons/ha (2 tons/ha higher). In addition, in the summer-autumn crop of 2023, the corn production area applying the fall armyworm management model showed high efficiency, with less damage to corn compared to other production areas in the district. Households participating in the model follow the correct instructions. Thereby raising awareness in agricultural production towards proactive and sustainable production.

In addition, the model shows that in farming, applying many measures to prevent and control armyworms can achieve high results. At the same time, it must be done regularly, continuously and on a large scale to contribute to increasing productivity, product quality, and increasing income for households. In addition, this measure can also be applied to other crops in many seasons, for many years without worrying about affecting the ecological environment.

From the initial effectiveness of this model, the provincial Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection proposed that La Da commune and Ham Thuan Bac district replicate the model on the fields of ethnic minorities. At the same time, localities with corn growing areas should proactively prevent fall armyworms from the beginning of the production season, applying integrated pest management measures...

According to the provincial Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection, in 2023, the whole province produced nearly 14,000 hectares of corn/13,600 hectares of the annual plan, reaching 102.35%, with corn output reaching about 92,800 tons/100,000 tons of the plan. Regarding pests and diseases on corn, fall armyworm is still the main pest. The corn area infected with fall armyworm is nearly 400 hectares, an increase of 216 hectares over the same period last year.

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