Comparison image between cluster sowing by machine, spread sowing by hand and spread sowing by drone, carried out in Tan Phu district (An Giang province). Video: Van Day
This is a rice field in Phu Quoi hamlet, Phu Thanh commune, Phu Tan district, An Giang province within the framework of the model "Smart low-emission rice cultivation associated with green growth in the Mekong Delta", implemented by An Giang Agricultural Extension Center in coordination with Binh Dien Fertilizer Joint Stock Company, Bayer Vietnam Company Limited, and Saigon Kim Hong Trading and Service Company Limited.
The model aims to help farmers find solutions to adapt to the current difficult conditions in rice cultivation, while accessing new technical advances in rice cultivation, thereby helping to reduce costs, increase productivity and protect the environment, contributing to the development of sustainable agriculture.
According to the An Giang Agricultural Extension Center, this demonstration model aims to help farmers see the clear economic efficiency from applying 3 synchronous technical solutions: Reducing the amount of seeds sown according to tradition from 120 - 150kg/ha to 60kg/ha using a cluster seeder; Applying the technique of applying Dau Trau saline and alum fertilizer at the beginning of the crop and specialized fertilizers for rice to increase rice production efficiency; Applying synchronous production techniques and IPM integrated pest management measures to reduce the use of pesticides, and managing pests according to the Much More Rice method (a solution for managing weeds and integrated pests in rice fields according to Bayer's product set).
Farmers are excited to visit the winter-spring rice growing model sown by cluster seeders. Rice is sown in rows, with a lower density than broadcast seeding, so the rice grows well and the plants are as healthy as if they were planted by hand. Photo: V.Đ
Accordingly, Mr. Le Quoc Kiet's household in Phu Quoi hamlet, Phu Thanh commune was selected to participate in the model, with an area of 1.5 hectares applying the smart rice cultivation process of cluster sowing without burying fertilizer. The control model has an area of 1.5 hectares, cultivated according to old practices. The rice variety used in the model is IR4625 glutinous rice.
Techniques applied in the model: Using cluster sowing equipment provided by Saigon Kim Hong Trading and Service Co., Ltd. Sowing density 60kg/ha; IR4625 glutinous rice variety. Water management according to the alternating flooding and drying process, fertilization process according to the manufacturer's recommendations (quantity: 80N - 48P 2 O 5 - 49K 2 O - 7Ca - 8S - 0.5SiO 2 ). The sowing date is November 27, 2023 and recently the units participating in the model held an evaluation workshop.
Rice fields use cluster seeders with appropriate amount of seeds, sowing in straight rows like transplanted fields, helping rice plants to be strong, grow healthy, and less susceptible to pests and diseases.
The total amount of fertilizer used for the model was higher than the recommended process due to the impact of the Bayer Company's herbicide spraying incident. After the company's technical staff visited the field and provided advice, the parties agreed on a plan for farmers to add urea and humic fertilizer (not included in the recommended process) to overcome the above impact, so the amount of fertilizer differed from the recommendation by 92N (equivalent to 200kg urea/ha).
It can be seen that although the amount of seeds and sowing density are 3 times less than the control field, the number of buds at the flowering stage is still not much different from the control. This is one of the factors that helps people evaluate the effectiveness of reducing seeds, which has a positive impact on changing farmers' views on sowing densely to achieve more flowers.
In addition, by using specialized, slow-release fertilizers, the model has helped limit fertilizer loss through evaporation and runoff while still providing essential nutrients for plants throughout the growth process.
Rice in the field using a cluster seeding machine, the amount of seed sown 60kg/ha still stands firm without falling over like the field in the back that is spread sown by hand. Photo: V.Đ
During the implementation process, Mr. Le Quoc Kiet's household recorded all costs from sowing to harvesting, including: Costs of materials, fertilizers, fuel and equipment, and labor costs to easily ensure the production efficiency of each model.
Mr. Kiet said that he had applied the technical requirements of the model correctly, thereby reducing many production costs such as: Seeds, pesticides, labor... Due to the impact of the herbicide incident at the beginning of the crop, the model had to add more fertilizer, so the production cost of the model field was higher than the control, the goal of reducing production costs was not achieved as expected.
However, because the rice yield in the model is higher than that of the control field, after deducting costs, the economic efficiency achieved is still higher. The total profit of the demonstration model is higher than that of the control, equivalent to 4.7 million VND/ha.
The smart rice farming model reduces the amount of seed sown from 120 - 150 kg/ha to 60 kg/ha using a cluster seeder, the rice grows in straight rows, is stronger, and falls less than the control field with broadcast sowing. Photo: V.Đ
At the workshop summarizing the model evaluation, the representative of Phu Tan District Agricultural Extension Station said that to have more convincing results, the model needs to be maintained for 3 consecutive crops/year/location, thereby having enough criteria to evaluate productivity, changes in the surrounding ecological environment and soil fertility improvement, as well as having specific recommended procedures for each different crop in the year.
The sowing system needs to be designed with a furrowing device to facilitate better nutrient management. It is recommended that Bayer Company have a specific process for guiding the use of drugs and strengthen coordination in field visits with local officials and farmers to promptly analyze and handle actual situations in production.
"It is recommended that Binh Dien Fertilizer Company continue to coordinate with the locality to organize early-season training courses to enhance its role and convey the model's implementation goals to more farmers, helping people understand the benefits of smart farming processes and specific methods, thereby helping farmers proactively change their production processes" - Phu Tan District Agricultural Extension Station suggested.
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