Photo: baovanhoa.vn
Vo Minh Chieu and his family in Thach Dong A commune, Tan Hiep district, has changed their traditional farming models on their 10 ha rice cultivation after attending a training workshop on the impacts of climate change and rising sea level on agriculture. By adopting the 1 Must- 6 Reductions practices, including less seeding density, less fertilizer and pesticide application, and alternative wetting and drying water management, local rice farmers reduce their input costs while maintaining or improving yields, and decreasing greenhouse gas emissions. Vo Minh Chieu told VOV: "Thanks to training classes organized by Tan Hiep district’s Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Centre and experts of Can Tho University, local farmers like us have been able to apply the 1 Must- 6 Reductions farming model in our cultivation and production. This new practice has helped cut input costs while ensuring stable productivity. Farmers have benefited a lot from it with better production, consumption, and environment."
Acknowledging the severe impacts of greenhouse gases emitted to the environment from farming practices, several international non-governmental organizations, Can Tho University, and Kien Giang provincial Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Centre have cooperated to pilot rice cultivation models that help reduce greenhouse gas emission in the province. Nguyen Thi To Nga, who lives in Tan Hoa A commune, Tan Hiep B district, told VOV: "I encourage all my family members to apply this farming practice to use qualified seeds, and reduce the overuse of seeds and pesticides. We try to find appropriate ways to deal with straw left after harvests to reduce waste discarded into rivers and the environment."
Nguyen Van Giao, deputy head of Tan Hiep district’s Agricultural Extension Center, said: "The new farming practice has proved effective and is supported by all local farmers thanks to local government and people’s consensus and determination. Local farmers have all agreed to reduce the number of seeds used in their cultivation and that is the most important step in the new farming practice."
Every year, there are approximately 80 tons of agricultural by-products inappropriately used. This has led to a huge loss of organic sources and contributed to environmental pollution. The application of the new farming practice of “1 Must- 6 Reductions” has contributed to boost local new rural development, said Tran Quang Cui, deputy director of Kien Giang provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development: "The local productivity has increased 10% while profits for farmers have risen 48% thanks to the application of the new farming practice. It has also helped reduce 40% of input costs and 40% of the amount of water used in farming activities. Statistics have shown that the new model has reduced 30% of CO2 emission."
Farmers’ better acknowledgement of the application of advanced farming practices to reduce greenhouse gases into the environment will contribute to boost environmental protection and sustainable rural development.