(VOV) – Growing bigger fields of rice, a technique applied in 21 provinces and cities nationwide, has greatly contributed to the national program on new rural development. It has helped farmers reduce production costs, and increase productivity, profit, efficiency, and quality. This week, VOV’s Trang Nhung will tell you about some specific successful examples of applying the bigger field model.

Harvesting on bigger fields in Tien Giang province (Photo: canthotv.vn)

In Ben Cau district, Tay Ninh province, which was selected to pilot the bigger field model on acreages of more than 300 ha, hundreds of farm households have gotten involved in the movement. Vuong Quoc Thoi, Director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said that thanks to the assistance and close cooperation of enterprises in the region supplying varieties, agricultural materials, and consulting on cultivation techniques, rice of high and consistent quality is being produced. This rice is being sold at a higher price - up to 200 dong a kilo. Mr. Thoi says ‘In the past, we had difficulties purchasing rice for farmers. But now the factory has built a rice processor for exports, and farmers have closely coordinated with each other in material supply. Enterprises like  Binh Dien Company, An Giang Plant Protection Company, and other companies selling agricultural pharmaceuticals have helped Tay Ninh implement the bigger field model by providing fertilizers, pesticides, and insecticides.’

In Long An, there are 20 big fields covering an area of more than 4,100 ha. Locals who have joined the program have received help from businesses in varieties, fertilizers, transportation, drying, and post-harvest storage. Le Minh Duc, Director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, says the bigger field model is currently the most effective technique in agricultural production but replication is a challenge. Duc notes ‘To replicate the model, food trading businesses should participate in purchasing rice for farmers which currently is the most difficult task. They also need to set up material zones for these fields.’

Preliminary results show that cultivation efficiency has been on the rise, with a profit 145 USD higher than from non-model fields. The model’s efficiency is obvious, but many provinces haven’t expanded it because farmers have to do harvest at the same time, causing difficulties for drying and storage. Economists estimate that if the current 200 food trading enterprises are more active in setting up material zones, the expansion of the bigger field model will succeed. Pham Dong Quang, Deputy Director of the Cultivation Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, says ‘We should summarize achievements and unmet challenges of the bigger field model. Currently, the only support is from provincial authorities, who use local budgets. To attract businesses, we need to help them obtain loans and reduce interest rates so they can build storehouses for drying and processing. We have asked the government for more funding like the recent assistance to enterprises to build warehouses to stockpile 4 million tons of rice. More incentives should be created to help businesses set up material zones.’

The bigger field model has been successful in creating closer links between the state, scientists, businesses, and farmers. The model is now considered the right track for agricultural production and the new rural development program. 

Nguyen Nhung - VOV