Integrated agriculture for environmental protection

Soybeans1 — High-tech production helps soybean productivity in Nam Dong commune, Lam Dong province increase from 2.0 tons in 2020 to 2.55 tons in 2024

Making clean agricultural products to protect the environment

With its rich terrain and climate, Lam Dong province is considered one of the leading agricultural centers in Vietnam. However, to ensure sustainable development, the province has made efforts to develop integrated agriculture associated with environmental protection, to meet market demand and conserve natural resources. Accordingly, the province has effectively applied integrated agricultural models to balance agricultural production and environmental protection. In particular, the models that have been applied and promoted effectively include: organic agriculture, irrigation water management, soil protection and environmental improvement, etc.

Ho Van Hoan's family in Thuan An commune has been involved with coffee trees for more than 20 years. Previously, Hoan's family's coffee garden was planted and cared for in the usual way, causing the coffee garden to age quickly and yield low productivity. However, since the local agricultural sector introduced training courses on safe and sustainable coffee production, he has used the method of composting coffee husks as organic fertilizer, helping the garden grow and develop better than before. Therefore, although the coffee garden is 20 years old compared to many coffee gardens of neighboring people that have been replanted many times, the productivity is still far behind his garden.

Melon — Growing melons for export helps bring high income to farmers in Nhan Dao commune, Lam Dong province.

From the results of improving the garden's ecology, Mr. Hoan then implemented the method of harvesting ripe coffee with a high ratio, wet grinding and drying on a mesh floor. At the same time, he invested in machinery to roast, grind and successfully process ground coffee products. Mr. Hoan added: "With 4 hectares of coffee, my family harvested more than 12 tons of coffee beans. Of this, my family selected about 5 tons of ripe red coffee beans to produce specialty coffee." Mr. Hoan's specialty coffee products are known to customers in and outside the province. Last year, his family sold about 500 kg of ground coffee to the market, at a price of 160,000 VND/kg, earning a profit of about 600 million VND.

Replicating integrated agricultural models

In recent years, local authorities have implemented many programs to support farmers in transforming production models, training in sustainable farming techniques and providing information on agricultural markets. According to the leader of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Lam Dong province, multi-value integrated agriculture in Lam Dong focuses on combining many different agricultural activities on the same area, creating many different sources of income and products, while protecting the environment and developing sustainably.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thao, an agricultural extension officer of Lam Dong province, regularly monitors and advises farmers on organic pepper development.

After the province's merger, the total area of all kinds of crops is estimated to reach more than 1 million hectares. Of which, the area of annual crops is expected to reach 408,000 hectares, perennial crops 638,859 hectares. The area of high-tech (CNC) production and smart agriculture reaches 107,217 hectares. In recent years, Lam Dong has always identified CNC agricultural production as the core to promote the province's agricultural development. With the advantage of strong development in CNC agriculture, communes and wards such as Xuan Huong - Da Lat, Lac Duong, Don Duong, Dinh Van, Lam Ha... are expected to be the locomotives leading and transferring advanced models to communes in the province. Therefore, after the province's merger, one of the key directions is to promote the development of integrated agriculture - a model combining cultivation, livestock, eco -tourism and high-tech application.

Bringing integrated agriculture to remote communes not only helps people increase their income and improve their lives, but also contributes to promoting the transformation of the rural economic structure in a sustainable and modern direction.

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/nong-nghiep-tich-hop-bao-ve-moi-truong-386384.html