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| Overview of the Rice Future Forum 2015. — VNS Photo |
HCM CITY (Biz Hub) – Bayer CropScience plans to expand its "Rice Value Chain" project in Viet Nam over the next two years.
At the ASEAN Rice Future Forum this week, the company announced that, from now through 2017, the project would cover a total of 10,000ha and be extended to more rice-growing areas in the provinces of An Giang, Can Tho and Dong Thap.
The pilot for the Rice Value-Chain project began in Viet Nam in 2013 in the provinces of An Giang, Can Tho, Long An and Ben Tre.
The company has brought in partners from government agencies and the rice value-chain to offer farmers an innovative, sustainable rice cultivation model, which includes the Bayer Much More Rice Programme and on-farm consultancy and training services.
"The project is the company's commitment toward making rice farming more sustainable and improving the livelihood of Vietnamese farmers," said Torsten Velden, Managing Director of Bayer Viet Nam Limited and Country Head of Bayer CropScience Viet Nam.
"We tabled a four-point action plan in 2013 to advance agriculture in Viet Nam, calling for an integrated approach and collaboration across the value chain to provide farmers with innovative solutions and access to tools and technologies to help them increase productivity in a sustainable manner," he added.
Farmers participating in the project have seen a decrease in their total input costs and an increase in yield, which has led to increased profits of up to 40 per cent.
Farmers have also seen better growth, greener leaves and lower pest infestation. Experts have also confirmed the effectiveness of the company's solutions in controlling pests and diseases as well as a reduction in input costs for farmers.
In another development, Bayer CropScience has signed a co-operation agreement with International Finance Corporation, a member of the World Bank Group, to train 100,000 farmers in the Philippines in the next five years in business and financial skills.
The company has also signed co-operation agreements with Malaysia and Indonesia to enhance rice yield and introduce new paddy. — VNS