Nghe An: Lack of solutions for replicating the large-scale model of demonstration fields.

(Baonghean) - The development of large-scale model fields has yielded positive results, both in land consolidation and reallocation, and in coordinating with businesses to implement and sign production contracts and guarantee product sales for farmers. However, many difficulties and shortcomings still remain regarding the replication and inheritance of the successes of these large-scale model fields.

Positive effects

As one of the first localities to adopt and achieve outstanding results in building large-scale agricultural production, Phuc Thanh commune (Yen Thanh district) currently has over 100 hectares of land cultivated according to the large-scale agricultural production model in each production season.

Mr. Nguyen Van Quyet, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Phuc Thanh commune, said: The main focus of the rice seed production in Phuc Thanh is rice seed production, with over 80 hectares linked with businesses such as Nghe An Agricultural Materials Joint Stock Company, Thai Binh Seed Company, etc., bringing very high income to farmers, 10-12 million VND higher than regular rice production.

Sugarcane grown on large-scale model farms in Tan Ky district yields 100 tons/ha. Photo: Chau Lan.

In Tan Ky district, some large-scale model fields producing new sugarcane varieties are yielding 100 tons/ha, creating double the efficiency compared to conventional sugarcane production.

In embarking on the construction of model farms, Nghe An province faced numerous difficulties, both in selecting locations and in reaching agreements with participating households, due to requirements regarding land area, land conversion, field infrastructure, and other criteria.

Nevertheless, Nghe An province achieved many positive results. Right from the first year of implementation (2013), the entire province built 15 model rice cultivation projects, including 10 models of rice production using high-quality pure rice varieties such as AC5, Vat Tu NA2, DT68..., with an average yield of 67-70 quintals/hectare in the spring crop and 58 quintals/hectare in the summer-autumn crop.

Three corn production models achieved an average yield of 76.98 quintals/hectare, with the K9955 hybrid corn model in Con Cuong district reaching 100 quintals/hectare in the spring of 2013. Two peanut production models achieved an average yield of 45 quintals/hectare in the spring. In subsequent years, building on this success, the province continued to implement the construction of large-scale model farms for other crops such as rice, corn, and peanuts.

Overall, the organization of production according to the large-scale field model has been actively implemented by localities and units, yielding high efficiency and increasing income for farmers and businesses. Basically, large-scale field models have achieved an increase of 10-15% compared to conventional production, with significantly higher productivity and an average income of over 100 million VND/hectare/year.

Loose connection

Mr. Le Dinh Thanh, Vice Chairman of the Thanh Chuong District People's Committee, shared: The construction of large-scale agricultural production areas has created conditions for farmers to access scientific and technological advancements, large-scale commodity production methods, change traditional production methods, and create a large, concentrated volume of products.

However, after the successful implementation of the model, the linkage and coordination among the "four stakeholders" (farmers, scientists, businesses, government, and scientists) remained weak and inadequate. Farmers were mostly trained and guided on technical aspects, but lacked knowledge about the market and how to connect with consumers to sell their products.

Businesses have mainly focused on supplying inputs such as fertilizers, seeds, and technology, but have not yet done a good job in the role of "facilitator" or in product consumption.

“To replicate the model of large-scale cooperatives, we face many difficulties due to the traditional fragmented, small-scale farming practices where everyone works independently. In the future, Thanh Chuong district intends to continue promoting and mobilizing the people, selecting distinctive, high-value products to invest in building large-scale cooperatives such as tea and oranges… linked with brand building.”

However, to succeed, businesses must also demonstrate their role in coordinating with local authorities and farmers throughout the production chain, especially in the product consumption stage,” said Mr. Le Dinh Thanh.

A rice field with a single, high-yield variety in Dien Chau district. Photo: Mai Sao

According to the Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr. Hoang Nghia Hieu, organizing production according to the large-scale field model has promptly met the requirements of concentrated agricultural production in the current period. This is the basis for a rapid transition to commercial agriculture, increasing the productivity and quality of crops, enhancing the competitiveness of agricultural products, and raising people's income.

However, the sustainability of some models is not high. Some successful and effective model farms face significant challenges in maintaining and expanding them without government support policies and linkages between production and consumption from businesses. In reality, the replication of these models, especially in mountainous districts, remains limited.

The linkages between production and consumption in some models are not strong; some models, such as those for corn and peanuts, mainly focus on production inputs such as seed supply and fertilizer loans.

In the coming period, to build upon the achievements and continue to develop and expand the model of large-scale agricultural production, in order to effectively implement the policy on strengthening cooperation and production linkages and building large-scale agricultural production, it is necessary to continue to strengthen the dissemination of the Party and State's policies on restructuring the agricultural sector, strengthening cooperation and production linkages, and building large-scale agricultural production so that people understand and actively and voluntarily participate.

Phu Huong