IPHM: Where science, farmer wisdom, and nature converge

For several years now, farmers in An Giang, members of the Zalo agricultural weather group, have routinely checked the 10-day forecasts sent by the local agricultural extension station. The forecast warned of unseasonal rains lasting another week, high humidity, and an increased risk of anthracnose disease. Thanks to this information, mango growers were able to adjust pruning schedules and apply biocontrol treatments two days earlier, rather than waiting for pests and diseases to strike.

A small story, yet it reflects a major turning point in the crop sector, shifting from a reactive pest-control mindset to integrated plant health management (IPHM).

The concept of IPHM is not unfamiliar, as it has appeared in sustainable agriculture strategies. However, in Viet Nam, it carries a deeper significance, representing the fusion of scientific knowledge, farmers’ experience, and the aspiration to develop in harmony with nature. While in the past protecting crops often meant applying chemicals, today it means maintaining ecological balance: caring for soil, water, microorganisms, and plants as an integrated living system.

Building on the foundation of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs from the 1990s, IPHM expands the scope to focus on “health” rather than merely “pests.” It is more than a cultivation method; it is a production philosophy: prevention over cure, regulation over confrontation. In the Mekong Delta, many rice-shrimp and rice-lotus models applying IPHM have achieved 10% higher yields while reducing pesticide use by 40%.

In Son La, farmers in the Hong Nam plum region have switched to biological traps and herbal preparations, combined with natural pollination by bees. The result is not only safer harvests but also GlobalGAP-certified products, paving the way for exports to Japan.

According to the Plant Production and Protection Department, applying IPHM principles helps reduce chemical pesticide use by 30-50% and inorganic fertilizers by 20%, while maintaining stable yields. More importantly, it represents a shift in management mindset, from “treating problems” to “maintaining health.” Each field and orchard is viewed as a living organism, where soil, plants, microorganisms, and climate interact continuously. Protecting crops is no longer a battle but a deliberate, informed, and long-term care process.

Forecasting and early-warning technologies play a central role in this approach. With support from the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, and directly from the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection, by mid-2025 over 300,000 farmers in southern Viet Nam have been regularly using agricultural weather forecasts to adjust planting schedules, irrigation, and pest control measures.

Information from the collaboration with the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) is transmitted not only through websites or village loudspeakers but also via Zalo, Telegram, and mobile applications, turning meteorological technology into a “real-time sensor” for agriculture.

As a result, instead of waiting for pests and diseases to appear before spraying, farmers can now act before outbreaks occur. In many mango, orange, and coffee-growing regions, digital pest maps have been tested, enabling farmers to monitor pest density directly on their phones. Each forecast has become more than a notification—it is “a vaccine” protecting crops.

This transformation is also reflected in policy directions. The Crop Development Strategy to 2030 clearly emphasizes pest control based on plant health management, ecological balance, and consumer safety. The inclusion of the term “plant health” in official sector documents marks a significant advancement in awareness and governance.

Alongside this, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has committed to closely cooperating with FAO to implement the national IPHM program, aiming to reduce chemical pesticide use by 20% while increasing organic cultivation to 2% of total farmland by 2030.

The “plant health” mindset is gradually spreading throughout the entire value chain. Agricultural input companies are shifting toward organic fertilizers, biocontrol products, and sensor technologies. Cooperatives are adopting traceability and ecological certification as a “health seal” for their products. Large-scale production regions, from Central Highlands coffee and Binh Phuoc pepper to Dong Nai bananas, are beginning to integrate IPHM into green agriculture criteria, moving toward low-carbon certification.

Of course, changing habits is not easy. Many farmers still think, “I have to see the pest to believe it exists.” Yet in areas where the transition has succeeded, economic results provide the strongest proof: healthy soil, thriving crops, safe products, higher prices, and stable market access. This slow but steady change is shaping a new generation of farmers who understand the land, understand their crops, and understand the climate risks approaching their fields.

From a reactive agricultural system, Viet Nam is moving toward a proactive and smart transition. “Plant health management” is no longer a technical concept but is gradually becoming a symbol of maturity, both in knowledge and in farming culture. When farmers recognize the value in every planthopper and every dew drop, they do more than save a harvest; they are safeguarding ecosystems for future generations.

Eighty years ago, Viet Nam’s agriculture began with the goal of feeding the nation. Today, together with IPHM and forecasting technologies, the crop sector is entering a new era nurturing both people and nature, not just for the present but for the generations to come.