Towards “Footprintless Field”

On the 14-hectare rice field in Thuan Hoa commune of Phu Thinh cooperative, Ham Thuan Bac, the demonstration image of a drone spraying pesticides has realized the farmers' dream of mechanization in agricultural production, helping them reduce investment costs, protect health and the environment, and move towards a "footprint-free field" in the near future.

Unmanned spraying aircraft

Present at the rice field at the end of the winter-spring crop, Mr. Nguyen Minh Hoang - Director of Phu Thinh Cooperative, Ham Thuan Bac district said that this image was a drone demonstration that had just taken place on a large field by the Provincial Agricultural Extension Center in coordination with Dai Nong Co Gioi Company Limited (Tanh Linh) on the rice field of the Cooperative, witnessed by a number of local rice farmers... This is also one of the contents of the provincial agricultural sector's implementation of Resolution 05/NQ/TU of the Provincial Party Committee (term XIV) on developing a modern, sustainable, high-value-added agricultural sector. In particular, focusing on the application of science and technology, high technology such as digital technology, automation, modern machinery and equipment in the production chain.

According to the Ham Thuan Bac Agricultural Technical and Service Center, the implementation of mechanization in local production is currently limited, it is necessary to bring dryers and cluster seeders into production to reduce seeds, fertilizers and reduce irrigation water and pests. In 2024, the unit will coordinate with the Provincial Agricultural Extension Center to develop a plan to implement agricultural mechanization in production. Including the use of drones, which is highly supported by the locality. However, the current situation of rice production in the locality is still small and fragmented. While spraying pesticides with drones requires a large area to reduce costs, which is convenient for service providers.

*Plane spraying pesticides on rice fields.*

To effectively implement mechanization, the center is still coordinating with the district's departments and offices to mobilize people, connect with cooperatives to concentrate areas, proactively finance, considering this a bright spot, a premise with the active participation of households. At the same time, people cannot deny the benefits of mechanizing agricultural production, including unmanned aircraft spraying pesticides, which is most clearly demonstrated in protecting the health and increasing the economic efficiency of farmers. Currently, the cost of spraying services from unmanned aircraft, farmers only spend from 230,000 - 250,000 VND/ha. While hiring labor sprayers, the cost doubles, affecting health...

*Mechanization in agriculture increases production efficiency.*

Will "cover" agricultural mechanization

Mr. Ngo Thai Son - Deputy Director in charge of the Provincial Agricultural Extension Center said, implementing the plan of the Provincial People's Committee on building high-quality rice areas, the Center has built high-quality rice models for 5 districts: Duc Linh, Tanh Linh, Ham Thuan Bac, Bac Binh and Tuy Phong. In addition, it has built 15 models for some new rice varieties, mobilized cooperatives and connected with businesses to bring pesticide spraying services into rice production.

*Signing of cooperation between the Provincial Agricultural Extension Center and Dai Nong Co Gioi Company Limited.*

In particular, the unit builds a model of "footprintless fields", in which the entire production process is mechanized and the production application of "1 must 5 reductions". Through the application of mechanization, farmers can reduce about 30% of the amount of pesticides used, protect their health, and avoid harm to the environment. Currently, the Provincial Agricultural Extension Center is gradually applying cluster sowing, spraying pesticides, and fertilizing. The purpose is to expand propaganda to cooperatives and groups of households in areas specializing in growing rice and concentrated fruit trees, actively responding to the use of the above services to increase people's income as well as contribute to protecting the health of producers.

Unmanned pesticide spraying aircraft demonstrated in Ham Thuan Bac.

At the recent signing ceremony of cooperation in the field of agricultural mechanization between the Provincial Agricultural Extension Center and Dai Nong Co Gioi Company Limited, it was agreed to implement the mechanization of agricultural machinery, develop mechanization technology to create effective and cost-saving solutions for farmers. In addition, it also supports and transfers technology through training, consulting and guidance on how to use and maintain mechanized machinery, to enhance knowledge and skills for farmers. At the same time, create cooperation programs and projects to promote the application of mechanization technology in agricultural production and improve efficiency...

Currently, the whole province has over 120,300 machines serving production and post-harvest services. The high level of mechanization in land preparation has helped farmers have the opportunity and conditions to intensify cultivation, increase crops, shorten planting time, and be proactive in production. However, to move towards "Footprintless Fields" by mechanization, Binh Thuan is in dire need of inter-bank and inter-field gathering, building cooperatives to gather people. Only then will mechanization in agricultural production truly bring high efficiency. The "coverage" of agricultural mechanization will help farmers increase productivity and efficiency in production, improve the quality of life...

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