Farmers eagerly expand row seeding combined with fertilizer deep placement

Farmers eager to adopt new farming techniques

On a 1.5-hectare rice field managed by the Xuan Tien Agricultural Services Cooperative in Xuan Phu Commune, Dong Nai City, farmers enthusiastically participated in the summer-autumn rice planting ceremony, where they applied row-seeding technology combined with deep fertilizer placement and enhanced-efficiency fertilizers.

The event was jointly organized by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), the Viet Nam Rice Industry Association (VIETRISA), and private-sector partners under the Right Fertilizer, Right Time Project, funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

During the 2025-2026 winter-spring crop, the Xuan Tien Agricultural Services Cooperative partnered with IRRI to pilot a dry direct-seeding model with deep fertilizer placement on a 1.5-hectare field using the ST25 rice variety. Initial results showed a 25% reduction in seed use, a 15-20% increase in yield, improved lodging resistance due to wider row spacing, more than 20% water savings, and a 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared with conventional broadcast seeding.

According to Dr. Nguyen Van Hung, an IRRI specialist, applying the technology to wet fields during the summer-autumn season enables rice plants to absorb nutrients more efficiently while reducing fertilizer losses from runoff and volatilization. Estimates indicate that the method can reduce fertilizer costs by around 50% and seed use by 60% per hectare, while lowering labor requirements and improving both production efficiency and grain quality.

Tran Quang, Director of the Xuan Tien Agricultural Services Cooperative, said: "The wet direct-seeding model combined with mechanization optimizes the use of seeds and fertilizers, reduces pest and disease pressure, lowers production costs, and increases yields. Farmers are excited to adopt this new technology after witnessing its effectiveness during the previous winter-spring crop."

The row-seeding machine precisely places rice seeds in rows at a depth of 30-40 mm and simultaneously deposits fertilizer at 60-70 mm, replacing the conventional two-step process of broadcasting seed and applying fertilizer separately.

"Dry and wet direct-seeding technologies should be applied flexibly according to weather conditions. During the summer-autumn season, wet direct seeding is more suitable due to the prolonged rainy season, which ensures stable crop establishment and growth. We work closely with companies supplying organic and inorganic fertilizers, as well as agricultural machinery, to train farmers on the right techniques and proper timing, enabling rice plants to develop uniformly and achieve optimal yields," Quang said.

According to Quang, the model has changed farmers' mindsets about production. Instead of cautiously observing new technologies, cooperative members are now proactively registering to adopt them, eagerly following each stage of the process and closely monitoring field performance. For the 2026 summer-autumn crop, the cooperative has decided to further expand the model, with the ambition of making it the primary cultivation method in Dong Nai's upland rice-growing areas.

Strengthening partnerships with businesses

To maximize the effectiveness of both dry and wet direct-seeding technologies using row-seeding machines, the Xuan Tien Agricultural Services Cooperative has established close partnerships with companies supplying organic and inorganic fertilizers, agricultural machinery, and microbial technologies. Technical specialists from these companies work directly with farmers, providing guidance on proper application methods, timing, and fertilizer rates to maximize nutrient uptake, reduce losses, lower production costs, and minimize labor requirements.

Tran Quang, Director of the Xuan Tien Agricultural Services Cooperative, emphasized: "These partnerships bridge the gap between research and practical farming, enabling farmers to access the latest scientific and technological advances. Once they see the results in the field, they become more willing to adopt new techniques to improve yields and reduce risks associated with weather and pests."

Although machine-assisted row seeding has demonstrated clear benefits, the initial investment cost remains a major barrier for many farmers. Quang called for supportive policies, including machinery rental services and technical assistance, to make the technology more accessible, particularly in remote and disadvantaged areas. Such measures, he said, would accelerate adoption, boost productivity, and reduce production costs.

Alongside its collaboration with private-sector partners, the cooperative has also worked with the IRRI to organize field-based training sessions. Farmers receive practical instruction on every stage of the production process, from variety selection, row seeding, and deep fertilizer placement to applying fertilizers according to the "4Rs" principle, using the right fertilizer source, at the right rate, at the right time, and in the right place, as well as pest management and disaster risk mitigation.

Dr. Nguyen Van Hung, Senior Scientist at IRRI, said: "Farmers are gaining access to internationally recognized knowledge on nutrient management, enhanced-efficiency fertilizers, and biofertilizers. These innovations improve input-use efficiency, increase yields, reduce production costs, and protect the environment. More importantly, they provide an opportunity for farmers to move beyond traditional cultivation practices toward more sustainable agricultural production."

Field trials have shown that the dry direct-seeding model reduces fertilizer use by 20-30%, while promoting more uniform crop growth and reducing weed and pest pressure. Meanwhile, wet direct seeding combined with fertilizer application at the right rate and timing enables rice plants to absorb nutrients more efficiently, minimizing fertilizer losses.

Government agencies, IRRI, and private-sector partners have worked closely with the cooperative to provide farmers with detailed technical guidance on both cultivation methods and the optimal timing of fertilizer application. This support helps farmers optimize nutrient management and yields while reducing production risks, minimizing input losses, protecting the environment, and meeting the requirements of sustainable agriculture.

Unpredictable weather remains a major challenge, requiring farmers to choose flexibly between dry and wet direct-seeding methods depending on field conditions. In addition, unstable rice prices and the high upfront cost of row-seeding machines continue to discourage some farmers from adopting the technology. Nevertheless, the benefits have been clearly demonstrated, including lower seed and fertilizer use, reduced reliance on herbicides, more uniform crop establishment, higher yields, and improved environmental performance.

After just one cropping season, many farmers have begun voluntarily adopting and expanding the model, reflecting a positive shift in production practices. The Xuan Tien Agricultural Services Cooperative expects to harvest its 2026 summer-autumn ST25 rice crop between late September and early October, while continuing to evaluate the model and expand it to a larger cultivation area.

"This represents an important step forward in agricultural mechanization, helping improve productivity, reduce production costs, and promote sustainable agriculture in Dong Nai. We hope supportive policies on financing, mechanization services, and technical extension will enable more farmers to access these technologies, overcome existing barriers, and maximize their benefits," said Tran Quang, Director of the Xuan Tien Agricultural Services Cooperative.