Changing pesticide habits to improve life

Changing farmers' habits regarding the use of pesticides towards sustainable agriculture is one of the contents implemented by the Plant Protection Department (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) in localities in Dong Thap Province.

The Reformation in Dong Thap Province

In the flower village of Sa Dec City (Dong Thap Province), we can see people busy preparing for the Tet flower crop. People here pay attention to taking care of flowers and ornamental plants and also have another thing to do: collect pesticide packaging to gather in prescribed places.

Mr. Nguyen Trong Tri, Tan Khanh Dong commune, shared: "At this time, after spraying, our people often conveniently throw all kinds of bags and packages into canals and field banks without expecting the harmful. In 2022, when we participated in the model of collecting post-use pesticide packages, I learned a lot.."

The vehicle collects sacks containing pesticide packaging at the gathering place.

Mr. Tri added that when participating in the model, he and farmers in the area were guided by technical staff on the safe, effective and responsible use of pesticides and the importance of managing and treating pesticide packages. Mr Tri also concluded that spraying pesticides properly and placing them in the right places saves more money, makes them safer in production, and contributes to environmental protection.

Mr. Tri and 1,600 farmers in Dong Thap province participating in the Program "Guidelines for Safe, Effective, and Responsible Use of Pesticides in 2021-2022" have changed their pesticide use habits.

Propaganda for the people, agricultural extension team and local officials have been very creative, such as creating clips to bring children to watch and implement.

Ms Huynh Thi Mong Thu, Head of the Women's Union of Khanh Nghia Hamlet, Tan Khanh Dong Commune, said: "We propagate in the style of 'long-lasting rain' to make people aware of the need to use the medicine." Protect plants properly. After a while, everyone realised and changed their behaviour."...

Mr. Le Van Chan, Deputy Director of the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection of Dong Thap province, said that the Program to use pesticides safely, effectively and responsibly is implemented by the Plant Protection Department and Dong Thap Department of Agriculture and Rural Development for five years, this year is the first year of implementation.

According to Mr. Chan, training programs for farmers and agents have had a positive impact. Most farmers know the importance and benefits of protecting the environment and the agricultural environment. Farmers are trained in pest management measures and safe and effective use of pesticides, helping them identify the correct pests and only use pesticides when necessary, contributing to reducing costs.

Replicate the model for Sustainable Agricultural Development.

At the closing ceremony of the Program "Guidelines for Safe, effective and Responsible Use of Pesticides in 2021 - 2022" organised by the Department of Plant Protection and Department of Agriculture and Rural Development on December 10 in Dong Thap, Mr Hoang Trung, the head of the Department of Plant Protection highly appreciated the effectiveness of this model.

Mr Trung emphasised that next time, the parties will sit down and update the documents and have a more appropriate method of transmission in the future. In 2023, the Program will also change to overcome shortcomings such as teaching methods and more effective packaging collection methods...

He said: "We will re-evaluate each piece of content in this Program and add additional advances in science and technology and digital transformation to farmers and businesses. Implementing this model has brought efficiency to each person and each production field."

Many farmers have gotten into storing pesticide packaging in the right place.

Mr. Nguyen Phuoc Thien, Director of the Dong Thap Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, acknowledged the model's efficiency and stated that the department will extend it to the Dong Thap Department of Natural Resources and Environment.

Mr. Thien further believes that when the Program is implemented each year, communities in the province will raise their aims to make the resources spent more worthwhile. This is the first year of a collaboration project between the Plant Protection Department and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Dong Thap province to guide the safe, effective, and responsible use of pesticides in the province (term 2021-2026).

The project aims to support farmers and pesticide dealers in clearly understanding the principles of pesticide use and pest prevention to promote the effectiveness of pesticide products and maintain a Green Environment. , clean while protecting the health of the community. Heading to exporting, a safe and high-quality agricultural production area will be formed.

According to a report from Dong Thap province's Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection, as of November 2022, project authorities have organised and trained in 12 districts and cities. Completed one training class for more than 50 provincial technical personnel and six training classes for pesticide-selling companies, with over 500 agents participating.

The program also finished the content and distributed each participant's pesticide management and usage training manuals and technical advisory publications on pest avoidance on several essential local crops. Rice, ornamental flowers, longan, and mango; disseminated 1,200 brochures and 240 propaganda posters; and aired 15 movies on pesticide safety and effectiveness on local television stations.

Within the framework of the Program, the Dong Thap Province Farmers' Association has launched a movement to collect pesticide packages with the participation of more than 1,600 farmers, including directly collecting used pesticide packages and bottles. Used on canals, ditches, and in-field ditches and gathered at the launch site - the total amount of pesticide packaging waste collected was more than 16 tons.

Furthermore, the Program has created two models of safe and effective pesticide usage on rice and ornamental flowers on over 300 hectares in Lap Vo, Sa Dec, with over 490 farmers participating.

Farmers participating in the model are instructed on pesticide principles and how to avoid pests on specific crops during training sessions at the beginning, mid-season, and end of the season. At the models, the program also planned to construct 15 pesticide storage tanks and a warehouse to assist farmers in collecting pesticide packages under the rules.

Source: Vietnam e-Government