Low-carbon practices helps Mekong Delta farmers cut costs

In the rice fields of Hamlet 2, Trung Ngai Commune, the 2025–2026 winter-spring crop is now in full harvest. Unlike the usual anxiety caused by rising input costs, many farmers participating in the Tan Dat Agricultural Cooperative’s value chain appear more at ease. They no longer follow the traditional approach of dense seeding and heavy fertilization, but instead streamline their practices to cut costs in line with current conditions. This shift not only reduces financial pressure but also lays the foundation for a more efficient and sustainable farming model in the long term.

In reality, a “price storm” is sweeping across many Mekong Delta fields. Fertilizer prices have risen from around VND 600,000 per bag to over VND 900,000, an increase of 30–40%. Fuel price hikes have driven up the costs of irrigation, land preparation, and harvesting. These developments have rapidly increased production costs, while rice prices have not risen proportionally, putting significant pressure on farmers’ incomes.

Tran Van Trung, a farmer with 0.8 hectares of rice in Trung Ngai Commune, shared: “Fertilizer prices are too high now, fuel is also up, everything costs more. A summer-autumn crop requires pumping water 4–5 times, plus machinery costs. If there’s no profit, we might skip the next crop.” This concern is not limited to a few households but has become a widespread worry among farmers in the region.

In fact, with input costs rising sharply, maintaining traditional farming practices leaves many households with little to no profit, and some even face losses. This creates an urgent need to adapt production methods to the new context.

In response, Tan Dat Agricultural Cooperative has taken a different approach. Instead of maximizing output, it encourages farmers to reduce from three crops to two per year, allowing the soil to rest while lowering risks amid high input costs. This practice also improves soil fertility and reduces pest pressure, creating better conditions for stable rice growth.

According to Doan Van Tai, the cooperative's Director, the most important factor is actual efficiency. When farming independently, the average profit is only about VND 1 million per 1,000 square meters, but joining the cooperative can raise it to around VND 2 million. To achieve this, the cooperative partners with businesses to reduce input costs by 10–15% and secure stable output prices that are about VND 100–200 per kilogram above market prices. This linkage model gives farmers confidence and reduces the risk of the “bumper crop, falling prices” scenario.

At a recent workshop reviewing the model, data showed that for 1,000 square meters of rice, traditional practices cost about VND 1.68 million per crop. With the cooperative's low-emission process, costs dropped to around VND 1.24 million, saving over VND 400,000. Most savings come from reduced fertilizer and pesticide use and fewer field interventions. These savings are significant amid continuously rising input costs.

Nguyen Van Phan, a farmer participating in the model, said: “At first, I was worried about yields. But after trying it, it’s actually easier. Before, we sprayed pesticides 4–5 times; now it’s only 1–2 times. Fertilizer use is also reduced, yet the rice still grows well and has fewer pests. Not only does this cut costs, it also reduces labor. Fields no longer need to be flooded deeply; just enough moisture is sufficient, saving irrigation and labor costs.” These changes show that efficiency gains come not only from cost reduction but also from optimized labor use.

The model’s success is also supported by scientists and businesses. Dr. Vo Tong Anh, senior advisor at Southern Fertilizer Joint Stock Company, said the process incorporates new-generation fertilizers such as “No Bui” and “Nang Suat Vang.” These products improve nutrient efficiency and reduce environmental impact.

These are single-granule fertilizers that can be applied manually or by drone with high uniformity. More importantly, the process focuses on reducing nitrogen use, a key contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Concentrated application helps rice plants absorb nutrients more effectively, minimizing waste and environmental pollution, in line with the government’s plan for One Million Hectares of high-quality, low-emission rice. This is also an inevitable trend as agriculture adapts to global efforts to reduce emissions.

From the perspective of local authorities, Nguyen Hong Phuc, Vice Chairman of Trung Ngai Commune People’s Committee, noted that amid rising costs, the cooperative’s approach has helped farmers change their mindset. They are no longer chasing maximum yields at all costs but are instead carefully calculating expenses and outputs. This allows them to maintain profits while reinforcing confidence in rice farming during difficult times. This shift is considered an important transformation in local agricultural thinking.

“The locality has identified Tan Dat Agricultural Cooperative as a model to be expanded to about 350 hectares across the commune. We have also proposed that higher-level authorities soon complete in-field irrigation infrastructure so that farmers can confidently adopt sustainable production practices,” Phuc added.

* $1 = VND 26,113 - Source: Vietcombank.