On July 13, the Department of Crop Production (MARD) in cooperation with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) held a policy advice seminar on rice straw management for agriculture in the city of Vi Thanh (Hau Giang). Low-Emission and Recirculating Industry and held a ceremony to announce the release of the Rice Straw Management Manual and Process.

The seminar was attended by former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Cao Duc Phat, former Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Bui Ba Bong, Chief Representative of IRRI in Vietnam, Head of the Ministry of Crop Production and the Ministries of Agriculture and Rural Development of the Provinces and cities in the Mekong Delta. , representatives of universities, research institutes, scientists, companies, cooperatives and international experts.

Waste tens of millions of tons of straw

At the workshop, Mr. Nguyen Nhu Cuong, Director of Department of Crop Production, said that rice production in the Mekong Delta has seen very impressive development in the past period, and rice production has reached over 24 million tons of rice/year in recent years. However, most farmers only focus on rice harvest while straw and rice husk have no interest in exploitation.

Given the production area and rice yield, it is estimated that the annual amount of rice straw in the Mekong Delta, equivalent to about 24 million tons, is disposed of after harvest. However, statistics show that only about 30% of it is collected and treated so far, the rest is wasted and incinerated, leading to environmental pollution. Not only is this a huge waste in rice production, but it also pollutes the environment and increases greenhouse gas emissions.

“The purpose in developing and implementing the project of 1 million hectares of high-quality, low-emission rice combined with green growth in the Mekong Delta region is that we are not only interested in food rice, but also in medicinal rice, cosmetic processing and Collection and treatment of rice straw, processing by-products in the rice value chain to increase farmers’ income,” said Mr. Nguyen Nhu Cuong, director of the Department of Crop Production.

At the workshop, delegates discussed orientations and guidelines for straw management for the project “Sustainable development of 1 million hectares of high-quality, low-emission specialty rice combined with green growth in the Mekong Delta.”; Networking of actors such as state, companies, farmer organizations, science and technology in the implementation of rice straw management towards circular agriculture and low-emission agriculture.

At the seminar, former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Cao Duc Phat — Chairman of the Board of the International Rice Research Institute — shared, “The Mekong Delta has an annual crop of about 24 million tons of rice, while producing about 26-27 million.” tons of straw. This is a great source of biomass that contains organic matter and nutrients. However, currently about 70% of rice straw is burned in the field or buried in the ground…

The burning of straw not only leads to the loss of nutrients in the straw, but also to loss of biodiversity and pollution. Meanwhile, burying straw in flooded fields leads to increased methane emissions and greenhouse gas emissions. The above situation shows that specific policies and technical guidelines are needed for the management and utilization of rice straw in the Mekong Delta in particular and Vietnam in general towards low-emission and circular agriculture.

Former minister Cao Duc Phat also mentioned two major challenges facing rice production in the Mekong Delta. One of them is that the attractiveness of a job is low and always precarious. Second, the rice value chain is still not sustainable. In addition, climate change and extreme weather conditions are increasingly affecting rice production. The income of rice farmers is much lower than that of other crops or aquaculture.

The positive side, according to Mr. Cao Duc Phat, is that the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has an agricultural restructuring project that has been implemented for more than ten years and has achieved many results, leading to major changes for the rice industry. Rice. In particular, it has changed the mindset in agricultural economics, moving from quantity-based production to quality, and has made strides as the price of rice for export rises.

However, there are still many links in the rice industry value chain that remain unused and are not effectively encouraged. In the past we have focused heavily on the production phases in the field, but still limited ourselves to the post-harvest phase, creating high added value for the rice industry. We must guide and encourage farmers, accompanied by companies, to use waste materials from straw.

Straw management in a circular chain

At the workshop, former Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Bui Ba Bong said straw management must achieve two goals: circulation and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. When it comes to straw management, we only look to increase profits or return it to the field for nutrition, but we place little emphasis on reducing straw’s greenhouse gas emissions.

“Therefore, the optimal solution is to remove rice straw from the field, manage and process it in a circular and closed process. And only the production process reduces greenhouse gas emissions. will bring sustainability to the rice industry,” former Deputy Minister Bui Ba Bong explained.

according to dr Tran Ngoc Thach, director of the Mekong Delta Rice Institute, since 2000 the institute has developed a process to process rice straw into fertilizer and fertilize the field. Continuous research shows that applying 6 tons of organic fertilizer per hectare can replace 50% of chemical fertilizers used in rice cultivation. However, if we buy organic fertilizer at the current market price of about VND 3 million/ton, fertilizing rice is not economically viable.

Mr. Thach suggested that organic fertilizer made from rice straw should be used for other crops such as vegetables to add value. As for the straw, after removing it from the field, it is recommended to grow mushrooms to improve the efficiency of use, and then use this straw to make organic fertilizer, as it shortens the composting time. Also, the stubble left on the field should be treated with microbial products to quickly combat rot, provide a nutrient source for return to the field, limit emissions, and cause organic poisoning in early-harvested rice.

Mr. Le Thanh Tung, Deputy Director of the Crop Production Department, stressed, The workshop shows that the crop industry has many opportunities and needs to do more to link policy – technology and practice – replication more closely and apply them uniformly in practice.

Mr. Tung said the process and manual for rice straw management towards recirculating and low-emission agriculture includes some new but proven techniques for practical application and economic feasibility. They must be replicated to make a positive contribution to the sustainable development program of 1 million hectares of high-quality, low-emission rice and associated green growth in the Mekong Delta.

At the workshop, the Department of Crop Production and the International Rice Research Institute presented the process and manual of rice straw management for recirculating and low-emission agriculture in the Mekong Delta.

Aiming at introducing the characteristics, management process, use of rice straw in the direction of circulation and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in rice production, this handbook will support farmers, millers and farmers, agricultural advisory ministries, cooperatives, enterprises, research units, etc. interested in a circular economy Rice production related to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.