Precision nutrient management is gaining momentum in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta as growers and agricultural leaders seek ways to reduce production costs, improve sustainability and meet stricter global standards for rice production.
The approach is becoming a central component of the Vietnamese government’s initiative to develop 1 million hectares of high-quality, low-emission rice production by 2030. By combining digital technologies with mechanized nutrient application, the model aims to improve fertilizer efficiency while supporting environmental goals and farm profitability.
On April 8, the International Rice Research Institute, the International Potato Center, the National Agricultural Extension Center and the Can Tho Department of Agriculture and Environment hosted a workshop in Can Tho City, Vietnam, to examine strategies for expanding adoption of precision nutrient management practices.
The event brought together 65 representatives from provincial plant production and protection departments, agricultural extension centers, farmer cooperatives and private companies involved in the One-Million-Hectare Program. Participants reviewed barriers to adoption and discussed pathways for scaling the technology across the region.
Workshop discussions identified nine major challenges affecting technology adoption, including farmer awareness, policy support and coordination among stakeholders. Participants said one of the primary concerns involved how well the innovation aligns with current farming systems, market conditions and existing policy structures.
Attendees also reviewed two CGIAR-developed digital tools designed to assess innovation readiness and adoption. The National Agricultural Extension Center indicated interest in incorporating the tools into national training programs and using them to evaluate existing agricultural technologies.
Initial findings presented at the workshop showed that the precision nutrient management package is technically advanced but has seen limited use in the field. Awareness campaigns and training programs were identified as the most developed support measures, while initiatives focused on increasing women’s participation in technology adoption were less advanced.
Researchers at the workshop presented an integrated technical package centered on the “Fertilize Right” digital application used alongside mechanized farming technologies. Organizers said the system is intended to improve fertilizer management while strengthening the role of extension services in delivering digital tools to farmers.
Speakers also emphasized the importance of gender inclusion in advancing sustainable agriculture in the Mekong Delta. Organizers noted that women play a major role throughout the rice value chain but often face barriers in accessing agricultural technology and training opportunities.
The workshop reinforced the importance of cooperation among government agencies, agricultural extension systems, businesses and cooperatives to support adoption of high-quality, low-emission rice production systems.
Project organizers said precision nutrient management represents a broader modernization effort within Vietnam’s rice industry, aimed at improving efficiency, strengthening climate resilience and maintaining the Mekong Delta’s role as a major global rice-producing region.
Source: CGIAR, "Precision Nutrient Management: A Breakthrough for Rice Farming in Vietnam"