Applying IPHM, pesticide use on rice fields is cut by 50%

Since 2024, the Central Region Center for Crop Production and Plant Protection (under the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection) has implemented the Integrated Plant Health Management (IPHM) model for rice cultivation in Tu Nghia commune, Quang Ngai province. After three growing seasons, the model has yielded many positive results, not only improving farmers’ awareness of sustainable farming but also enhancing production efficiency.

According to the Central Region Center for Crop Production and Plant Protection, IPHM is an integrated management model that encompasses measures to maintain soil and seed health, as well as other factors affecting crops throughout their growth cycle. Under the model, farmers are provided with methods to improve soil conditions, use high-quality and disease-resistant seeds, adjust seeding density appropriately, and limit the use of pesticides. The combination of appropriate approaches can protect natural enemies and reduce the harm from pests, thereby increasing economic efficiency.

Bui Thanh Hai, a farmer from Van An 2 hamlet, Tu Nghia commune, Quang Ngai, said, “I’ve applied this model for three crops, using 5 ha of land each time. In the past, people only took care of the rice after sowing and paid little attention to the soil. Since applying IPHM, the soil condition has improved, rice plants are healthier, and pest incidence is lower. Farmers used to sow 7 - 8 kg, sometimes up to 9 kg of seed per sao (Vietnamese measurement, 1 sao in the Central region equals 497 m²); now it’s only 5 kg. The fields are more open, easier to tend, with few signs of pests, specifically leaf rollers. Seeing the results, many farmers hope the model will be replicated locally.”

Following the IPHM model over several production seasons, one of the most notable changes has been in pesticide use. Previously, farmers sprayed preventive pesticides 4 - 5 times per crop. Under IPHM, that tendency has been reduced to only two sprays: one herbicide application before sowing and one treatment against blast and grain discoloration diseases at the panicle initiation stage. During the crop growth process, pesticide spraying is minimized as much as possible.

Information from Huynh Van Thanh, Director of Van An Agricultural Cooperative (Tu Nghia commune), shows that fields under the IPHM model are cleaner with less chemical residues, so the environment is better protected.

“Beyond reducing pesticide use, IPHM helps farmers cut input costs by saving on seeding and pest control. Lower seeding rates don’t reduce yields; instead, they make rice plants stronger and less susceptible to pests, saving VND 100,000 - 150,000 per sao in terms of pesticide expenses,” Thanh said.

A key aspect of IPHM is its focus on soil health. When soil is properly managed and fertility is maintained, rice plants grow stronger and are less affected by adverse environmental conditions. Wider spacing and better pest management help protect the paddy ecosystem, encouraging beneficial organisms and limiting pest outbreaks.

Huynh Van Tan, a technical officer from the Central Region Center for Crop Production and Plant Protection, said, “After three crops implementing IPHM, both farmers and the Center have found that rice yields under this model are equal or higher in comparison to those under traditional practices. Farmers are satisfied because they reduce input costs while maintaining high productivity. More importantly, the model helps shift farmers’ mindsets from volume-focused production to sustainable farming.”

The IPHM-applied rice fields have a lower density of leaf rollers and stem borers than conventional rice fields (CRF) thanks to sparse sowing and balanced fertilization, giving the rice plants more room to breathe. The density of natural enemies in IPHM fields is more than twice as high as in CRF (57 - 79 insects/m² compared to 24 insects/m²), thanks to not spraying pesticides throughout the growing season.

Regarding pests, leaf blast in IPHM fields is only 5 - 7% compared to 25 - 30% in CRF; neck blast is 2% compared to 15%; leaf blight is 1 - 1.9% compared to 2 - 7%. The number of panicles per square meter and the number of full grains per panicle are higher than in CRF, resulting in a 0.35-ton increase per ha in rice yields.

One of IPHM’s main goals is to minimize agricultural pollution, aiming for safe and efficient production. The Central Region Center for Crop Production and Plant Protection calls for support from authorities, the agricultural sector, and local governments to expand the model, thereby contributing to the field of high-quality agricultural products, increasing farmers’ income, and meeting growing demands of the market.