Bayer, National Agricultural Extension Center partner to promote sustainable agriculture in Vietnam

Bayer Vietnam and the National Agricultural Extension Center's representatives at the signing ceremony in Can Tho. Photo courtesy of Thanh Minh

The agreement focuses on enhancing farmer training, transferring technology, and scaling up sustainable farming models via collaboration between public and private sectors and the community-based agricultural extension network.

This initiative builds on previous cooperation between Bayer and NAEC during the 2023–2025 period.

The MoU targets the development of one million hectares of high-quality, low-carbon rice in the Mekong Delta, while also supporting sustainable farming and pest management in key durian and coffee-growing areas, particularly in the Central Highlands.

Dr. Le Quoc Thanh, General Director of NAEC, described the partnership as a step forward in applying scientific and technical solutions to help farmers manage agricultural challenges through local extension systems.

"The models implemented so far have produced tangible results that can be expanded and technically transferred," Thanh said. "By working with Bayer and partners in the value chain, we aim to strengthen farmers' capacity to adopt safe, effective, and environmentally friendly farming practices aligned with national goals for sustainable agriculture and green economic transition."

Dr. Le Quoc Thanh, General Director of NAEC. Photo courtesy of Thanh Minh

Under the agreement, several activities will be jointly implemented, including:

- Model farms: Establishing demonstration farms in the Mekong Delta and Central Highlands to showcase practices for rice, durian, and coffee cultivation.

- Farm management improvements: Applying integrated management programs and advanced crop protection technologies, while exploring improved monitoring and traceability systems.

- Sharing best practices: Developing educational materials and using media channels to share sustainable farming techniques with local farmers.

- Customized agronomic support: Bayer will collaborate with farmers to improve crop protection, aiming to enhance yields and product quality.

In 2025, efforts will focus on expanding the Bayer ForwardFarming satellite model in rice-producing provinces of the Mekong Delta, participating in model farms under the "1 million hectares" initiative, and organizing training on pest management and sustainable rice cultivation for extension officers, cooperatives, and farmers.

For durian and coffee, the partnership will establish Better Life Farming (BLF) models in the Central Highlands, conduct training on integrated pest management, and hold workshops to promote sustainable cultivation under the public-private partnership framework.

KG Krishnamurthy, Country Commercial Lead of Bayer Vietnam's Crop Science Division, noted that public-private cooperation and the government's vision for sustainable agriculture are key priorities. He emphasized Bayer's role in providing agricultural solutions to help farmers address increasing challenges linked to climate change.

Mateus Barros, Head of Bayer's Crop Science Division for Southeast Asia and Pakistan, added that initiatives in Vietnam contribute to Bayer's broader global sustainability goals, supporting local farmers and contributing to food security.

Mateus Barros (C), Head of Bayer's Crop Science Division for Southeast Asia and Pakistan, speaks at the signing ceremony. Photo courtesy of Thanh Minh

Since its launch in 2023, the Bayer ForwardFarming (BFF) project has engaged over 4,500 rice farmers, transferring technologies to improve productivity, quality, and environmental performance as part of the broader one million hectares initiative. Results from farming models in Chau Phu District (An Giang Province) and Go Quao District (Kien Giang Province), along with other NAEC-supported projects, have shown promising outcomes during the Winter-Spring 2024–2025 season.

Among the approaches introduced is Bayer's "Much More" solution, applied to durian and coffee cultivation. These integrated crop management packages focus on plant health, pest and disease control, and pesticide residue management to meet export standards. Bayer also provides agronomic support for Better Life Farming models and is piloting new technologies, including precision spraying, fertigation-based pesticide application, and data-driven field management.

These solutions have been evaluated by the Western Highlands Agriculture and Forestry Science Institute (WASI) and deployed across different farm models. In 2024, trial durian farms in Dak Nong reported an 80–90% reduction in fungal pests, around a 20% yield increase (up to 20 tons per hectare), and improved fruit quality, with 70–80% of harvested produce graded as Class A.

In 2024, durian trials in Dak Nong saw fungal pests drop 80–90%, yields rise 20% (up to 20 tons per hectare), and 70–80% of fruits graded Class A. Photo courtesy of Thanh Minh

According to Bayer, the MoU underscores the importance of advancing sustainable agriculture by leveraging the combined resources of public and private sectors. The partnership aims to strengthen farmers' capabilities through the agricultural extension network and contribute to reshaping Vietnam's agricultural sector in line with sustainability and market demands.