In Vietnam, millions of small-scale farmers rely on rice as their main source of income. But pest outbreaks can completely wipe out yields, threatening farmer livelihoods and impacting food security. See how these farmers are using integrated pest management (IPM) strategies to protect their crops and improve their prosperity.
Nguyen Thi My Trang
Farmer
Hung Van Tu
Farmer
Me Thi Le
Farmer
Phan Anh Tu
Trainer
Nguyen Thi Ngoc Anh
Project Partner
Tan Kieu Commune, Dong Thap Province, Vietnam.
Our lives depend on the rice. That’s why I was so happy with the training course.
Rice farmer Nguyen Thi My Trang walks down the street carrying her youngest son, Tan Kieu Commune, Dong Thap Province, Vietnam.
Rice farmer Nguyen Thi My Trang feeds her ducks at home, Tan Kieu Commune, Dong Thap Province, Vietnam.
Rice farmer Nguyen Thi My Trang takes part in a training session on pest management, Tan Kieu Commune, Dong Thap Province, Vietnam.
Rice farmer Nguyen Thi My Trang takes part in a training session on pest management, Tan Kieu Commune, Dong Thap Province, Vietnam.
My Trang is a third-generation rice farmer and mother of three. Years ago, an outbreak of rice grassy stunt virus meant she couldn’t harvest her rice, or pay for her children’s education. After receiving IPM training, she’s boosted her yields and her confidence.
Meet the next Crop Protector
Dew forms on rice foliage, Thanh Wy Village, Dong Thap Province, Vietnam.
A planthopper outbreak affected the whole area, my family suffered serious deprivation because of the complete loss.
Rice farmer Hung Van Tu and his wife Nguyen Thi Whan relax at home after a day of labour, Thanh Wy Village, Dong Thap Province, Vietnam.
Rice farmer Hung Van Tu checks the colour tone of his rice to identify if he is fertilising his crop correctly, Thanh Wy Village, Dong Thap Province, Vietnam.
Rice farmer Hung Van Tu repares one of his machines at home, Thanh Wy Village, Dong Thap Province, Vietnam.
Rice farmer Hung Van Tu in his rice paddy, Thanh Wy Village, Dong Thap Province, Vietnam.
Van Tu has been a rice farmer for over 25 years, and the most dangerous pest he encounters in his rice crop is the planthopper. During his IPM training, Van Tu learnt how to attract and protect planthoppers’ natural enemies, like spiders, to help safeguard his crop.
Meet the next Crop Protector
A rice farmer walks in a newly planted rice paddy while a dragonfly lands on a leaf , Thanh Wy Village, Dong Thap Province, Vietnam.
I can identify what insects are good for us, and refrain from spraying chemicals uncontrollably.
Rice farmer Me Thi Le in her rice paddy , Thanh Wy Village, Dong Thap Province, Vietnam.
Rice farmer Me Thi Le prepares to cook rice at home in Thanh Wy Village, Dong Thap Province, Vietnam.
Rice farmer Me Thi Le cleans grain rice in her home, Thanh Wy Village, Dong Thap Province, Vietnam.
Rice farmer Me Thi Le with her husband Tran Van Tiep and her son Tran Hoang An in their rice paddy, Thanh Wy Village, Dong Thap Province, Vietnam.
Outbreaks of rice ragged stunt and rice grassy stunt virus were “like a nightmare” for Thi Me and her family. Now she knows how to better protect her crop, and her health, while preventing pests and diseases. And she’s passing her knowledge down to her sons and the local community.
Meet the next Crop Protector
Rice falls through a milling machine at the Chan Chin Ltd.co milling processing plant in Doc Binh Kieu Village, Dong Thap Province, Vietnam.
We have a threshold to take action. Only then do we recommend farmers spray
Rice farmer Nguyen Thi My Trang is being tutored by Phan Anh Tu during a training session on pest management, Tan Kieu Commune, Dong Thap Province, Vietnam.
Anh Tu is a government instructor. He teaches integrated pest management to rice farmers in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, in the classroom and in the field. Anh Tu says pesticides should only be used when necessary, and he shows farmers how to use them responsibly. The training farmers receive from Anh Tu helps them save money, boost yields and protect the environment.
Meet the next Crop Protector
Ladybird on a rice plant. Ladybirds are beneficial insects that can eat up to 50 aphids a day.
When everyone sees such good quality in rice production, they also realize that the quality of farmers’ lives is higher
A pest is captured during a training session on pest management, Tan Kieu Commune, Dong Thap Province, Vietnam.
“For the population, for the economy, rice is so important… and also for our daily lives.”
Ngoc Anh is a Director for the Government’s Plant Protection Department (PPD) in the Dong Thap province. The PPD has partnered with German development organization GIZ, and CropLife International to provide IPM training courses for rice farmers in Vietnam. Ngoc Anh says that, given the importance of rice in Vietnam, a healthy crop can help drive the country’s economy and society.
Ambros Dotzer is a senior technical advisor with GIZ, the German development organisation that’s helping to train Vietnamese rice farmers and retailers in IPM and proper pesticide use. Together with CropLife International, GIZ is working towards a common goal: promoting sustainable agriculture in the Mekong Delta.
