In the past time, farmers in the province have mainly produced rice according to the experiences, their farming skills are still limited, therefore, the productivity and quality of rice is not high. In order to directly support rice farmers to apply new varieties, advances and new technologies in the production, Hoa Binh Provincial Farmers' Union in collaboration with the Central Vietnam Farmers' Union has implemented the project “Dissemination and Mobilization of Farmers in Applying Climate Friendly Rice Cultivation in Vietnam”. The implementation period of phase 1 is from July 2020 to August 2021. The project areas are in 4 communes, with the participation of 80 farmer households, including: Sao Bay, My Hoa commune (Kim Boi district); Phu Thanh, Phu Nghia commune (Lac Thuy district).


In order to provide the farmers with the knowledge of environment-friendly rice cultivation method, the Rice Project Management Board of the Provincial Farmers' Union held a conference to propagandize on the method such as techniques, principles of fertilizing for Farmers' Union in communes and townships participating in the project and some communes of all 10 districts and cities in the province. Through the conference, officials, farmers, members have seen the harmfulness of abuse and improper use of pesticides and inorganic fertilizers. According to environment-friendly cultivation method, farmers reduced the amount of chemical fertilizers and pesticides; adjust the balance of water for the rice to grow and develop well. Moreover, agricultural extension officers and lecturers from the Rice Project Management Board of the Provincial Farmers' Union went to the fields to guide, supervise and directly support the farmers.


In the last spring rice crop of 2021, 4 households implemented environment-friendly rice cultivation method with an area of 5,978 m² in 4 communes participating in the project. The households well carried out transplanting young rice seedlings, hand transplanting, using balanced fertilizers, including Sumagow fertilizer, weeding for mud, adjusting water according to the growth cycle of the rice. The households participating in the model all realized that rice transplanted according to the new technical progress method grew and developed fast, the rice leaves were stronger in comparison with the tradional rice cultivation areas. Pests and diseases such as leaf rollers, sheath blight, leafhoppers were significantly reduced.


Ms. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Tuyet (Bay hamlet, Sao Bay commune, Kim Boi district) shared that “participating in the rice project, I know how to use fertilizers and pesticides properly, in accordance with the technical process, less harmful pests. We do not have to use a lot of fertilizers, pesticides, growth stimulants. With a model of 1,000m2 in the spring crop, the productivity reached 7 quintals, about 1.2 quintals higher than the mass rice productivity, which not only reducing costs, getting high profits but also contributing to ecological environment protection.


Ms. Nguyen Thi Huong Hai, 1st Vice-Chairman of the Provincial Farmers' Union informed that in the coming time, the Provincial Farmers' Union would continue to raise the awareness of farmers and consumers about the benefits of environment-friendly rice cultivation method; improve techniques for farmers, and propagate and multiply rice cultivation areas according to the method, contributing to reducing the impact of climate change and developing modern and sustainable agriculture.