Farmers embrace the 'Green Journey - Healthy soil, healthy crops' initiative

Better yields begin with healthier soil

With Viet Nam's Mekong Delta rice market facing increasing volatility and production costs continuing to climb, restructuring cultivation practices through science-based, biological solutions has become a necessity rather than an option. Through the "Green Journey - Healthy Soil, Healthy Crops" program, many farmers have found a practical solution by starting with soil restoration.

Recently, more than 150 farmers and agricultural experts gathered in Thanh Duc commune (Tay Ninh province) for the "Green Journey - Healthy Soil, Healthy Crops" workshop organized by Binh Dien Fertilizer JSC. Optimism filled the rice fields as participants observed successful production models delivering encouraging results.

One highlight was Nguyen Van Con's rice field. Although his land has long been affected by acid sulfate soils, this season his crop yielded around 8.5 tons per hectare. One thing to note was that even at maturity, the flag leaves remained green, while the grains were full and bright - a clear contrast to many neighboring fields suffering from nutrient deficiencies and leaf scorch.

Le Hoang Nam, a farmer in Ben Cau commune, Tay Ninh province, cultivated four hectares of rice during the 2025-2026 winter-spring crop. This crop yielded more than 1.2 tons per cong (1,000 square meters), 300 to 500 kilograms more than last year's crop.

The higher yield resulted from improved soil conditions using biological fertilizers produced by Binh Dien Fertilizer. During the season, Nam applied Dau Trau Bio-Calcium fertilizer. His rice developed a vigorous root system and began tillering just seven to nine days after sowing, even before the first topdressing application.

The program's success extends well beyond Tay Ninh. During the most recent winter-spring season, Binh Dien's "Green Journey" initiative has established nearly 200 demonstration models across diverse ecological regions, including the Mekong Delta, Southeast Viet Nam, the Central Coast, and the Central Highlands. The results show that the rice plants grow well, have strong roots, have good tillering, flower quickly, and significantly reduce the use of inorganic fertilizer.

Healthier solutions for healthier soil

These practical results have become even more meaningful as rice production faces mounting pressure from rising input costs. Many farmers, particularly those leasing farmland, are confronting the risk of financial losses.

The pressure is expected to intensify during the 2026 summer-autumn crop as fertilizer and fuel prices continue rising amid global geopolitical instability. Under these circumstances, improving profitability requires not only increasing yields but also lowering production costs.

Dr. Nguyen Bao Ve, former Dean of the College of Agriculture - Can Tho University, believes the answer lies in restoring soil health. Continuous cultivation over the years has degraded soil quality, resulting in acid sulfate and organic toxicity from incompletely decomposed rice straw.

Applying biological fertilizers containing calcium at the beginning of the season is crucial. Calcium helps raise soil pH, improves root-zone conditions, and enhances nutrient uptake. At the same time, beneficial microorganisms in the biological product accelerate straw decomposition, converting crop residues into organic matter directly within the field.

This allows rice plants to establish deeper root systems, absorb nutrients more effectively, and maintain healthy growth while reducing dependence on chemical fertilizers later in the season without sacrificing yield.

Acid sulfate and salinity stress are more likely to occur during the summer-autumn crop, so early soil treatment becomes especially important. Experts recommend applying approximately 100–150 kilograms of Dau Trau Bio-Calcium per hectare during land preparation, while incorporating rice straw into the soil.

The ideal application period is two to three weeks before sowing, allowing beneficial microorganisms sufficient time to decompose straw into organic humus. This preparation helps create loose, nutrient-rich soil while minimizing the risk of toxic compounds developing during cultivation.

Dr. Nguyen Bao Ve emphasized the importance of transitioning to biologically based farming. It is not merely a technical adjustment but a long-term economic strategy. "When the soil is healthy, crops become healthier as well," he said, adding that restoring soil fertility enables farmers to reduce dependence on chemicals while improving production efficiency and sustainability.

Experiences from demonstration fields across the country show that the "Green Journey" initiative offers a clear message: investing in soil is investing in the future of agriculture. Healthy soil provides farmers with an effective way to adapt to market volatility while protecting productivity during an increasingly challenging period.