At training workshops, in the form of "hands-on training", the provincial FU at all levels introduced an overview of the system of rice intensification (SRI) and SRI methods; instructed farmers on the rice growth stages, 5 SRI principles and technical practices; techniques for making microbial organic fertilizers, processing rice straw with biological products. In addition, members and farmers had opportunities to participate FFS at the demonstration plots to directly exchange and share experiences, ways of taking care of rice as well as difficulties in applying SRI practices.

The implementation of the project has been proved that the conversion of method of rice cultivation to SRI practice brings higher economic efficiencies than the conventional practice. They include saving of seed sources, water for irrigation; low maintenance costs; no use of chemical fertilizers, plant protection drugs but use of microbial fertilizers. As a result, the average yield of rice is 2.3-2.5 quintals/sao.

Mr. Pham Van Chinh's household in Nam Cuong hamlet, Khanh Cuong commune, Yen Khanh district has applied SRI methods. He said: In the spring crop of 2021, he was trained by the Provincial FU on 05 principles of SRI rice cultivation, therefore rice plants grew and developed better, with good tillering especially in the early stages. Each cluster of rice had many flowers while the ratio of firm paddy was higher. In addition, the amount of varieties was reduced, the irrigation method was alternately wet and dry, bringing water into the field from 3-5 cm, storing water for 5-7 days and then discharging water from the field, which also saves about 30% of irrigation water. Thanks to that, his family has significantly saved the cost of buying plant protection drugs, seeds and fertilizers with higher economic efficiency than in previous years.
 
Through evaluation, the initial implementation of the project in demonstration plots in 4 communes shows that the SRI-applying fields in comparision with the fields applying conventional practice help to reduce the amount of varieties, decrease nitrogen fertilizer by 20-30%, use biological pesticides, cut investment costs, increased rice yield at 7-8 quintals/ha, increase economic efficiency from 8-9 million dong/ha. At the same time, it also helps raise awareness of farmers to create safe commercial rice products to protect human health and increase the value of export-oriented goods. The model has been replicated, households that previously did not participate in the project also boldly applied and followed.

Chairman of the provincial FU Dinh Hong Thai said: In the coming time, the provincial FU will continue to propagate the replication of SRI rice cultivation area; establish the FU’s professional group of SRI rice cultivation, create a brand name for local SRI rice and get it sold in the FU's chain of safe agricultural product stores; ensure stable output for safe, environmentally friendly agricultural products, build local rice brand.
 
The system of rice intensification (SRI) is a rice cultivation practice towards sustainable ecological agriculture, which is applied in more than 50 countries around the world. Applying SRI will bring high efficiency and productivity, contributing to reducing greenhouse gas emissions on the basis of technical practices that help reduce input costs such as seeds, fertilizers, pesticides and sufficient irrigation. Technical practices include: transplanting young seedlings, transplanting sparsely and healthy seedlings, ensuring alternate wet and dry irrigation, weeding, strengthening micro-fertilizers and other organic fertilizers to replace chemical fertilizers…