Nghe An will expand the area of ​​genetically modified corn

(Baonghean.vn) - Genetically modified corn was tested in Trung Son commune (Do Luong) in 2015 and has brought high productivity and economic efficiency. From 5 sao at the beginning, the whole commune has now expanded this corn variety to an area of ​​6 hectares. The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development plans to expand the area of ​​this corn variety.

Genetically modified corn has the characteristics of resistance to pests and drought.

In 2015, Trung Son commune (Do Luong) tested the planting of genetically modified corn on an area of ​​5 sao in hamlet 8 with 5 households planting 1 sao each. After harvesting, it yielded 2 tons of corn, an increase of about 20% compared to traditional corn varieties without much care. In 2016, Trung Son commune expanded this variety to an area of ​​6 hectares.

Mr. Nguyen Van Thanh, Head of the Agricultural Extension Department of Trung Son Commune, said that genetically modified corn has many advantages: It is resistant to pests, especially stem borers, and can withstand drought in hot weather. It saves people the trouble of taking care of it because in other seasons they have to spray pesticides and herbicides. In particular, the biggest advantage of this corn variety is that it has higher yield and better grain quality than traditional corn varieties.

Genetically modified corn has large, long and thick kernels.

There are three types of genetically modified corn in Trung Son commune: B06R, B06G and B21G. These varieties are basically equivalent in terms of yield as well as planting and care methods.

Trung Son has 560 hectares of agricultural land, of which 80 hectares are specialized in corn, of which the area of ​​genetically modified corn is 6 hectares, concentrated in hamlets 1, 2 and 8 with 55 households growing, of which hamlet 8 has the largest area (more than 3 hectares with 26 households growing). Each household grows an average of 1.5 - 2 sao.

At this time, Trung Son commune has basically finished harvesting the corn crop. According to the assessment, the genetically modified corn variety has a high yield, reaching 4 quintals/sao while the normal corn variety reaches 3.5 quintals/sao. With 6 hectares of genetically modified corn, this year Trung Son commune harvested 48 tons of corn, the current market price is 650 - 700 thousand/sao, the locality earned more than 300 million VND. However, corn is mostly used in livestock farming and not sold on the market.

Mr. Nguyen Quang Vinh (Hamlet 8, Trung Son) planted 2 sao of genetically modified corn this year. After 3 months, he harvested nearly 1 ton of corn. He said: "In previous years, my family often spent nearly 200 thousand on pesticides and weeds, but this year we did not lose any money. Moreover, this corn variety does not require much care, so it is less labor-intensive than other seasons."

The advantage of genetically modified corn is that it is less susceptible to pests and diseases.

The only problem with genetically modified corn is that it is more expensive than other varieties, so some households are hesitant to invest. On average, regular corn varieties cost from 90,000 to 130,000 VND/kg, while genetically modified corn costs 210,000 VND/kg. Although people have to spend more money to buy seeds, they will save a lot of other expenses, such as pesticides, herbicides, etc.

Mr. Doan Van Kien - Vice Chairman of Trung Son Commune People's Committee said that the locality will expand the area of ​​genetically modified corn in the coming crops and at the same time add genetically modified varieties to the list of high-yield varieties in the area.

Mr. Truong Minh Chau - Head of Science and Technology Management Department of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development also said that this corn variety will be widely replicated in localities to improve corn productivity and quality.

Quang An