Bayer, Vietnam's National Agricultural Extension Center honored with Public-Private Partnership award

This recognition also highlights the significant impact of their collaborative efforts, fostering collaboration throughout the rice value chain, promoting sustainable farming practices, and ultimately creating a prosperous future for farmers and the community.

Launched in September 2023, the three-year project is a collaborative initiative between Bayer Vietnam and NAEC, with the participation of various partners in the rice production value chain, including provincial agricultural service centers, Mekong Delta Rice Institute, Binh Dien Fertilizer Joint Stock Company, Saigon Kim Trading Service Company Limited Hong, Vietnam Rice Company Limited (Vinarice), and others.

Launched in September 2023, the three-year project is a collaborative initiative between Bayer Vietnam and NAEC, with the participation of various partners in the rice production value chain. Photo by Minh Phu

Its overarching goal is to help Vietnamese farmers strengthen rice yields while mitigating environmental impacts. This is achieved through three key pillars.

First, the project works to establish demonstration sites showcasing high-quality rice production techniques that optimize inputs and reduce emissions. This includes on-farm showcasing of integrated practices like optimized seed rate and fertilizer application, water management techniques, and integrated crop protection approaches with Bayer’s Much More Rice Solution.

Second, the major focus of the project is enhancing farmers’ capabilities through extensive training. To date, up to 4,500 rice growers in Can Tho, An Giang, and Kien Giang have participated in workshops covering topics such as good agricultural practices, safe, responsible, and effective use of crop protection solutions, and greenhouse gas mitigation strategies suited to local conditions.

Third, ForwardFarming brings together public and private partners to foster collaboration across the rice value chain. This includes local agricultural extension centers, input suppliers, research bodies, assisting with knowledge transfer, market linkages, and scaling of sustainable models.

During the summer-fall rice crop, the farming process faced various challenges, including heightened pest pressure and the negative impact of excessive rain on rice growth.

However, these challenges were effectively addressed through the implementation of innovative solutions and advanced technologies.

The seminar "Potential for expanding ForwardFarming model implementation, contributing to the vision of developing a one-million-hectare rice project focused on high-quality, low-emission rice cultivation in the Mekong Delta". Photo by Minh Phu

Noteworthy measures applied to ForwardFarm included the use of quality seeds from Vinarice, effective pest and disease management with Bayer's Much More Rice solutions, reduction of seed and labor requirements through cluster sowing technology combined with fertilizer application from Saigon Kim Hong Company, optimal fertilizer formulas from Binh Dien Company to reduce fertilizer usage and improve soil quality, and efficient water management using the alternate wetting and drying method of irrigation.

The results of the on-farm demonstrations have been highly positive, showcasing increased yields by 13.5%, while simultaneously reducing environmental impacts.

Do Tri Hung, a farmer who has actively participated in the project for multiple seasons, reported that the ForwardFarming model reduced input costs by VND1.5–4.0 million/ha and increased profit by 13%–55% compared to traditional farming practices.

Evaluations conducted by the Mekong Delta Rice Institute also demonstrated that this model significantly improved plant growth, early indications around soil quality improvements, and water savings up to 50% compared to conventional rice farming methods.

Importantly, greenhouse gas emissions were also reduced by about 25%. These outcomes contribute perfectly to the Vietnam government's goal of developing 1 million hectares of sustainable, high-quality, low-emission rice cultivation.

The ForwardFarming model reduced input costs by VND1.5-4 million/ha and increased profit by 13-55% compared to traditional farming practices. Photo by Minh Phu

Kg Krishnamurthy, Country Head of Crop Science Division, Bayer Vietnam, said that they were proud of the progress made through ForwardFarming to demonstrate more sustainable rice cultivation techniques.

This project exemplifies the impact they can achieve through partnerships with farmers, other service providers, and government agencies.

"With the joint effort to expand this model across the Mekong Delta, we are paving the way for sustainable, high-quality rice cultivation while driving green growth in the region, contributing to a more resilient and prosperous agricultural future," he added.

Kg Krishnamurthy, Country Head of Crop Science Division, Bayer Vietnam. Photo by Minh Phu

Looking ahead, Bayer Vietnam and NAEC have outlined several development plans, including ongoing research and assessments on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving rice quality, expanding the network of partners, and increasing outreach to farmers in An Giang, Kien Giang, and other Mekong Delta provinces.

This is to coordinate efforts supporting the sustainable development of the Vietnam agriculture industry and enhancing the livelihood of local farmers.