Avoid fake and poor quality fertilizers

Fertilizers and pesticides play a very important role in improving the efficiency and productivity of crops. However, the reality shows that the situation of fake and poor quality fertilizers is still becoming more and more complicated, causing great economic impacts and losses to farmers. Reporters of Binh Thuan Newspaper had an interview with Mr. Tran Duc Thien (photo) - Deputy Head of the Department of Cultivation and Plant Protection of the province about this issue!

Sir, recently our province has discovered many establishments selling fake and poor quality fertilizers, farmers are very worried. Can you provide more information about this issue?

Mr. Tran Duc Thien: Recently, information about a fertilizer trading facility in Ham Tan showing signs of violations has made many people very worried. Through investigation, the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection identified the violator as HASA Mat Troi Company Limited, headquartered in Tan Nghia town, Ham Tan district. This is a serious case, the subject of trading and storing fertilizers in violation is large-scale at many locations. On May 3, 2024, the inspection team consisting of the provincial police force and officers of the department conducted a search of the place where the evidence and means of violation were hidden at the company's headquarters, warehouse and the house of Ms. Le Thi Trinh, residing in An Vinh village, Song Phan commune, Ham Tan district. Thereby, it was discovered that there were about 101 tons and 12,000 liters of fertilizer products that were not allowed to be circulated in Vietnam. At the time of inspection, the company could not provide invoices, documents proving the origin and documents showing the conditions for circulation of the above fertilizers. Currently, the department is continuing to coordinate with PC03 to verify, consolidate the records, and clarify the case.

To minimize the purchase of fake, poor quality fertilizers and at the same time move towards green, sustainable production, does the department have any recommendations for farmers?

Mr. Tran Duc Thien: According to the production plan, this summer-autumn crop, the whole province needs about 93,000 tons of fertilizer. To minimize the purchase of fake and poor quality fertilizers, farmers should look for fertilizers with brands, reputation, clear invoices and documents. Note that you should not buy and use floating fertilizers, with unusually cheap prices. In terms of sensory, people should not buy fertilizers that are lumpy or runny because the quality has changed. In particular, when buying fertilizers for use, you should keep the packaging so that when an incident occurs that causes damage to the plants, you can promptly notify the business and report it to the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection or local authorities for inspection and handling.

At the same time, farmers should prioritize the use of organic and biological fertilizers, take advantage of agricultural by-products to save costs, and gradually limit the use of inorganic fertilizers to move towards green, sustainable, and environmentally friendly production. Along with that, farmers are advised to increase the use of certified rice varieties to increase the resistance of rice plants such as planthopper resistance, disease resistance, etc. The amount of rice seeds sown must ensure the recommended density of 120 - 150 kg/ha, not sowing more than 150 kg/ha to easily manage pests and diseases, balanced fertilization (moderate nitrogen fertilization, increased potassium and phosphorus; applying the model of 3 reductions 3 increases, 1 must 5 reductions), increasing the use of organic fertilizers.

*Fertilizer products were not yet permitted for circulation at the time of inspection.*

Can you tell us more about the management and monitoring of fertilizer trading in the province in recent times?

Mr. Tran Duc Thien: Every year, based on the inspection and examination plan approved by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection has presided over and coordinated with relevant units and localities to organize inspections and examinations of compliance with legal regulations on fertilizer production and trading in the province. At the same time, it focuses on surprise inspections, focusing on taking samples to test and evaluate the quality of fertilizers circulating on the market. On the other hand, organize training courses to propagate and disseminate legal regulations on conditions for production and trading of fertilizers, training courses, guidance on cultivation techniques, and fertilizer use processes on crops for farmers... The unit also proactively monitors and grasps the situation of fertilizer production and trading to promptly detect, inspect, prevent and strictly handle violations of the law by organizations and individuals operating in relation to fertilizers, contributing to stabilizing the production situation of farmers, minimizing and moving towards completely preventing the production and trading of fake, poor quality fertilizers that do not meet the conditions for circulation on the market.