"Fertilize Right" Project in Vietnam Demonstrates Successful Public-Private Collaboration in Sustainable Rice Production

Strategic Insights -

A recent working visit to Vietnam's Mekong Delta by a US Department of Agriculture (USDA) delegation highlighted significant progress in the "Fertilize Right" project, a four-year initiative promoting innovative and sustainable rice production. The project, funded by the USDA and implemented by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection, aims to enhance fertilizer efficiency, reduce chemical use, and increase farmer income.

Key Takeaways:

  • The "Fertilize Right" project has made significant progress in promoting innovative and sustainable rice production in Vietnam's Mekong Delta, with key partners progressing from basic knowledge to active planning or piloting core technologies.
  • Local government and industry partners, including the National Agricultural Extension Center (NAE) and the Vietnam Rice Industry Association (VIETRISA), have demonstrated strong engagement and commitment to collaborating with the project.
  • Private partnerships have driven progress, with MTK Fertilizer Joint Stock Company achieving level 3 of the project's capacity assessment and signing a strategic cooperation agreement with its US partner, Innovar Ag, for the distribution of specialized fertilizer products in Vietnam.
  • The project's strategy involves scaling up six core technologies, including Site-Specific Nutrient Management, mechanized direct seeding combined with fertilizer deep placement, innovative fertilizers, rice straw composting, and digital tools like Easy Farm and the e-Extension Lua Viet integrated Rice Crop Manager platform.
  • The project's success is a testament to strong public and private sector collaboration, with a detailed plan to be developed with the National Agricultural Extension Center (NAE) for e-extension dissemination and relevant extension activities.
  • VIETRISA has expressed its appreciation for the USDA and the project, noting that its goals are very aligned with Vietnam's national strategy and that the knowledge generated by the project is very important for Vietnam.

Statistics:

  • The project is being implemented until 2027 and has already made significant progress in promoting innovative and sustainable rice production in Vietnam's Mekong Delta.
  • The project has four core technologies, including Site-Specific Nutrient Management, mechanized direct seeding combined with fertilizer deep placement, innovative fertilizers, and rice straw composting.
  • 90% of local partners have progressed from basic knowledge to active planning or piloting core technologies (Source: IRRI).
  • MTK Fertilizer Joint Stock Company has achieved level 3 of the project's capacity assessment and is committed to integrating the project's regulations into business operations and organizing more field workshops to help farmers access new technologies.
  • The agreement signed by MTK and Innovar Ag will cover the exclusive distribution of specialized fertilizer products in Vietnam, featuring active ingredients designed to inhibit nitrogen loss, provide precise nutrients, and introduce beneficial microorganisms to the soil.

Sources:

  • International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)
  • United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
  • National Agricultural Extension Center (NAE)
  • Vietnam Rice Industry Association (VIETRISA)
  • MTK Fertilizer Joint Stock Company
  • Innovar Ag