(VOVworld) – Dong Thap province has applied a new rice production model called “joint fields”. The province wants to tighten cooperation between farmers and enterprises, not just increase production scale. The farmers joining the program know what type of plants they should grow, who will buy their output, and the prices.  The enterprises have no longer worry about supply or purchasing method.

Harvesting rice on joint rice field in Dong Thap province

Dong Thap province implemented the program “Rice production with advanced method” from 2008 to 2011 to rally farmers to centralized rice production. The program’s goal was to reduce production costs and improve quality for domestic consumption and export. The province rezoned rice fields and connected farmers and enterprises. After three years, the program had increased the number of participants, and had improved production techniques, productivity, and quality.

Dong Thap province has expanded joint field acreage from 2,400 ha in 2011 to 17,000 ha in 2012, and presently to 54,000 ha.

Members of the Tan Tien cooperative in Tam Nong district say they like the joint field model and advanced rice cultivation method. Farmer Pham Van Su said: "In previous crop seasons, I misused pesticides. But I did it right this year. Compared with last year, I earned an additional 100 USD per hectare and reduced the number of pesticide sprayings."

Agricultural engineers have taught farmers better production and field management techniques including pesticide application, taking daily notes, and keeping business accounts. Professor Vo Tong Xuan said he appreciated the program’s practicality. "The cooperative is an effective model of cooperation. Farmers can buy good quality materials such as fertilizers and pesticides. They will apply tested procedures in production and sell their harvests to associated enterprises."

One criterion of the national program of building new rural areas is that each commune has at least one large-scale commercial production model. It’s necessary to build vast rice fields and increase cooperation between the farmers and traders. Dang Kim Son, Director of the Institute of Policy and Strategy for Agriculture and Rural Development, said the vast rice field model focuses on production scale while the joint rice field model boosts cooperation between producers and distributors. Son said: "The joint rice field model focuses on cooperation and the organization of production. The farmers cooperate with each other, and farmers and enterprises cooperate in input materials, consumption, and product chains."

The joint rice field model in Dong Thap province ensures stable material supply and the consumption of high-quality output.