Establishing a 'soil doctor' system to support sustainable rice production

Research on developing a soil quality database

On the morning of October 29, the Soils and Fertilizers Institute, in collaboration with the Viet Nam Rice Sector Association and the Viet Nam Agriculture and Nature Newspaper, organized a forum titled “Soil Health for Rice Cultivation - The Foundation for Green and Sustainable Development.”

According to Mr. Vu Nang Dung, Chairman of the Viet Nam Soil Science Society, rice is the most important crop in Viet Nam’s agricultural sector, consistently accounting for the largest share of cultivated land. In 2023, rice cultivation covered 33.7% of the country’s total agricultural land. Rice production is closely linked to the livelihoods and employment of 61.9% of the rural population.

However, after years of intensive cultivation, part of the rice-growing area has shown signs of degradation in terms of physical, chemical, and biological properties, which has affected both yield and grain quality. This situation is further exacerbated by climate change impacts such as saltwater intrusion, flooding, soil erosion, and drought. In addition, rice cultivation still relies heavily on chemical fertilizers, uses limited organic fertilizers, and involves excessive application of pesticides.

“Restoring the fertility of rice-growing soils is a long-term strategy that requires positive interventions in both the physical and chemical properties as well as the soil microbiome. It also serves as a foundation for the sustainable development of the rice sector in the future. This forum is an opportunity to identify key indicators for assessing soil health, explore measures to restore soil fertility, and establish rational fertilization practices. It will also help raise public awareness of soil health and sustainable rice farming practices,” Mr. Vu Nang Dung emphasized.

Sharing the same view with the Viet Nam Soil Science Society, Dr. Tran Minh Tien, Deputy Director General of the Viet Nam Academy of Agricultural Sciences (VAAS), emphasized the need to apply integrated solutions tailored to each soil type.

For saline soils, he suggested proper water management, balanced fertilization, straw incorporation, the use of salt-tolerant varieties, and crop rotation. Acid sulfate soils should be treated with lime in combination with proper water management and balanced application of organic and inorganic fertilizers. Meanwhile, alluvial and degraded grey soils can be improved through balanced fertilization, water management, straw recycling, and crop rotation. He also highlighted the importance of strengthening online platforms for soil quality management and fertilizer use guidance.

“In the long term, we need to build a comprehensive soil quality database, develop a scale for assessing the health of rice soils, and establish a monitoring network to track soil quality changes. At the same time, research should focus on the roles of secondary and micronutrients, minimize the impacts of toxic elements, and develop field-based soil diagnostic tools.

VAAS is working toward establishing a ‘soil doctor’ system to assist farmers in managing and improving soil health, ensuring sustainable rice production amid climate change and increasing cultivation pressure,” Dr. Tien noted.

Applying technology and value chain linkages to protect rice soil health

According to research by the Viet Nam Academy of Agricultural Sciences (VAAS), the total amount of alluvial sediment flowing into the Mekong Delta has declined by as much as 55% over the past 25 years. Meanwhile, the areas of acid sulfate and saline soils have fluctuated sharply, and the properties of surface alluvial soils used for rice cultivation have also changed. Many regions are now facing challenges such as nutrient leaching, erosion, flooding, salinization, acidification, soil degradation, pollution, and land abandonment.

Mr. Vo Quang Minh from the Viet Nam Soil Science Society emphasized that sustainable management and utilization of rice-growing land require integrated economic, social, and ecological solutions. He noted that the strategy for sustainable rice land use in the Mekong Delta should rest on several key pillars. First is the restructuring of the rice sector - reducing monoculture areas, promoting intercropping and multiple cropping models, enhancing the production of high-quality rice, and adopting advanced science, technology, and smart agriculture practices.

Value chain and market linkages are crucial to building a sustainable rice value chain and developing the Mekong Delta rice brand. At the same time, efficient water management and soil protection, together with diversifying farmers’ livelihoods through crop and livestock restructuring and improved production skills, are essential for long-term sustainability.

“The plan for managing and utilizing rice land resources should be implemented in five steps: defining the mission of rice land use; conducting a SWOT analysis; setting objectives; developing related strategies; and monitoring and evaluating the sustainable management and utilization plan,” Mr. Minh recommended.

“If we know how to build an effective strategic plan, we can seize opportunities, leverage strengths, and minimize weaknesses in the management process. This will help improve the effectiveness of sustainable land resource management and utilization - not only for rice cultivation but also across other sectors,” he added.

Binh Dien Fertilizer Joint Stock Company, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), and the Mekong Delta Rice Research Institute have jointly conducted research on assessing and developing soil microbiomes, while applying technologies that promote the decomposition of rice straw directly in the field.

According to Mr. Nguyen Van Hung, Senior Expert at IRRI, the research focuses on identifying microbial strains capable of effectively decomposing rice straw and developing integrated technologies that combine mechanization, biological treatment, and water management. The team is also working to establish technological processes and best practices for rice straw management in the Mekong Delta.

“Combining mechanization with microbial technology accelerates straw decomposition and enables precision planting with integrated fertilizer incorporation. At the same time, applying the Rice Crop Manager (RCM) and data- and machine learning–based strategies helps achieve high-yield, low-emission rice production,” the IRRI expert explained.

On this basis, Mr. Hung proposed the development of a comprehensive database and mapping system for managing soil, nutrient, and water resources, as well as climate change, tailored to each ecological subregion.

“This process requires the participation of all relevant stakeholders, from ministries, research institutes, and universities to private enterprises. In addition, region-specific nutrient management must integrate multiple synchronized solutions, including biological (microbial), mechanization, and digital applications based on data, knowledge graph machine learning (KGML), and artificial intelligence,” he noted.

“When a transparent, accessible, and easy-to-understand system is established, farmers will have better access to information and agricultural inputs, thereby improving the efficiency and sustainability of rice production in the Mekong Delta,” Mr. Hung emphasized.

In line with the trend toward sustainable development, Binh Dien Fertilizer Joint Stock Company has implemented a green transition strategy to transform its production processes, technologies, and product usage. The strategy follows two main directions:

First, greening production by adopting innovative solutions and technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, particularly CO₂ and N₂O.

Second, greening fertilizer use by adhering to the “4R” principles, applying the right source, right rate, right time, and right place, to enhance fertilizer efficiency, minimize losses, and limit greenhouse gas emissions.

At the same time, the company has developed fertilizer product lines that are both highly efficient and environmentally friendly, contributing to sustainable agriculture and reducing pressure on natural resources.