Nam Dinh, Vietnam, August 20, 2024 - To promote the use of organic fertilizer and the mainstreaming of rice straw-based circular economy model, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) partnered with the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection of Nam Dinh province to organize a training workshop and field demonstration on mechanized rice straw-based composting.
This activity is under the US Department of Agriculture’s Fertilize Right (FerRight) project. Managed by the Vietnam Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) - Plant Protection Department, the project aims to develop and promote efficient and sustainable uses of fertilizer based on the 4Rs of nutrient management (right source, right rate, right time, right place).
In line with FerRight’s Component 1 of developing technologies and tools for effective fertilizer use in rice cultivation, this technology transfer event showcased mechanized straw composting technology. Developed by IRRI, the technology combined physical and biochemical processes to optimize the composting process and compost product quality.
The workshop featured a presentation by Mr. Nguyen Van Hieu, an IRRI Consultant, who elaborated on the mechanized rice straw composting process. This method entails turning rice straw into compost, significantly reducing decomposition time from 90 days to 45 days compared to traditional methods.
Mr. Hieu discussed the various steps in the composting process and provided detailed formulations and parameters. He reminded the participants that to ensure effective composting, farmers should maintain optimal conditions by regularly mixing the compost, spraying probiotics, and monitoring temperature and pH.
A highlight of the event was IRRI's handing over of a mechanized compost turner to the Nam Cuong Agricultural Production, Business and Service Cooperative, the local partner of FerRight Project, which will implement the mechanized rice straw-based composting model.
Immediately after the indoor meeting, a field demonstration was held in the cooperative’s compound to demonstrate arranging organic fertilizer beds and operating the mechanized compost turner.
Mr. Nguyen Van Du, Director of Nam Cuong Cooperative, expressed his enthusiasm for the new technology. "I will operate it effectively with the members of the Cooperative, and at the same time share and spread my experience widely to people in the neighboring areas," he said.
The cooperative plans to use the self-propelled mixer to produce organic fertilizer and sell it to other regional farmers. This will provide a valuable source of income for the cooperative and help promote sustainable agriculture in Nam Dinh province.
Dr. Robert Caudwell, IRRI Representative to Vietnam, added that rice straw treatment technology has been researched by IRRI for many years and has been successfully implemented in the Mekong River Delta in coordination with MARD and some of its attached agencies. With farmers as the beneficiaries, Dr. Caudwell stressed that the project aims to raise awareness, this time in the northern provinces, helping to reduce the burning of straw or burying straw in wet fields, which causes greenhouse gas emissions.
Dr. Caudwell emphasized that this new technology helps solve two problems simultaneously: quality and cost. "Producing fertilizer from rice straw can change people's perspective on this agricultural by-product. This will help them form the motivation and habit of actively collecting rice straw right from the harvest," Dr. Caudwell said.
The workshop brought together 70 participants, including leaders and representatives of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection, the Agricultural Extension Center, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of some districts in Nam Dinh province, the Agricultural Service Center, the People's Committee of Yen Cuong commune, and farmers participating in the Nam Cuong Cooperative project and some other localities in Nam Dinh province attended the training session.
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