Can Tho’s low-emissions winter-spring rice model reduces costs by 15 - 20%

On February 13, the Can Tho City Agricultural Service Center organizes a summary of the model of high-quality, low-emission rice cultivation in the 2024 - 2025 winter-spring rice crop in Thoi Lai district.

This model is under the “Scheme on Sustainable Development of 1 million ha of high-quality, low-emission rice cultivation associated with green growth in the Mekong Delta region by 2030.” It is implemented on an area of ​​6 ha at Tran Van Doi's household in Truong Khuong hamlet, Truong Xuan commune, Thoi Lai district, Can Tho city.

This is the first crop that Doi's family applied the low-emissions rice cultivation method using the Dai Thom 8 rice variety. Thanks to effective water management measures, balanced fertilization and reduced use of pesticides, the model has reduced production costs by 15 - 20% in comparison to the household’s traditional method.

One particular thing is that the amount of seeds sown, the required labor, and the use of fertilizers and pesticides were significantly reduced. The model’s rice is ready for harvest in the next 2-3 days, with an estimated yield of 1.1 tons/cong (Vietnamese measurement, 1 cong equals 1,300 m²). With a selling price of VND 6,500/kg, after deducting expenses, Tran Van Doi expects a profit of more than VND 4.3 million/cong. Considering its first crop, the model has achieved very positive results.

Binh Dien II Fertilizer Manufacturing and Trading Joint Stock Company (2 Phong Fertilizer) currently sponsors 50% of the fertilizer cost for the model. Nguyen Van Duong, in charge of the company’s marketing in the Mekong Delta region, said, ”Compared to traditional rice production, the model reduces fertilizer costs by 20 - 30% thanks to fertilizing before and after the sowing period. During the cultivation process, the fertilizer product Lua Xanh NPK 18-14-6+6S+TE is chosen for utilization”.

In the 2024 - 2025 winter-spring rice crop, 2 Phong Fertilizer Company deploys many models in the Mekong Delta provinces, totaling 700 ha of cropland, and the company is expected to bring good results. From the achieved results, 2 Phong Fertilizer Company will continue to replicate the model in the following rice crops so farmers can access superior farming methods and apply them with high efficiency.

“This is one of the advanced rice cultivation models, in line with the sustainable development orientation of the agricultural sector. The model not only helps reduce costs, and increase profits but also contributes to environmental protection. This is an important premise for replicating the model in many other districts in Can Tho,” said Tran Thai Nghiem, Deputy Director of Can Tho City Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

According to Can Tho City Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, in the near future, the city will continue to coordinate with businesses, cooperatives and farmers to expand the farm area by applying the high-quality and low-quality rice model. The local authorities also have plans to promote technical training, support farmers to access advanced farming solutions and support policies to ensure the sustainability of the model.

"In the winter-spring rice crop 2024 - 2025, localities have done a good job of creating linkages between farmers and businesses. With the initiative of farmers to reduce costs, the gained profit increases by 10 - 15% compared to common production models. In particular, the model of high-quality and low-emissions rice cultivation has made an important contribution to the transition of sustainable agriculture of Can Tho City toward a modern direction,” said Tran Thai Nghiem, Deputy Director of Can Tho City Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.