Story from Lam Dong province

Lam Dong is the province with the leading area of hi-tech agricultural production in the country. However, the treatment of agricultural waste is still a difficult problem for this locality.

Agricultural production is the strength of Lam Dong province, accounting for nearly 50% of the province's economic structure, of which the crop sector accounts for more than 80% of the agricultural sector. Currently, the province has 300 hectares of agricultural land, of which the high-tech farming area is leading the country with 65,308 hectares.

Mr. Ha Ngoc Chien, Director of the Plant Protection Sub-Department of Lam Dong province, said that besides the beneficial effects of agricultural development in general and the field of cultivation in particular, waste in production such as crop by-products, packaging of pesticides, fertilizers, mulch, etc. have not been collected and treated thoroughly. According to statistics, each year the amount of pesticide packaging in the province is estimated at up to 200 tons. To manage this, the Provincial People's Committee has issued a separate plan  (Plan No. 3825/KH-UBND dated June 19, 2017) to collect, transport, and treat pesticide packaging in the area.

From 2017 to now, the whole province has installed 3,165 tanks to collect after-use pesticide packaging in the area. However, the amount of packaging collected only reached 18.1% (33.5 tons), the rest was still destroyed by people in the form of the collection of household waste to bury, burn or discharge into the environment. environment, causing unsightly beauty and affecting public health.

Witnessing the agricultural development of Lam Dong province, many large enterprises have invested to develop their material areas. During that process, these units have had many practical activities to accompany the authorities of Lam Dong province to implement programs to create a safe and sustainable agricultural ecosystem.

Mr. Tran Thanh Vu, General Director of Syngenta Vietnam Co., Ltd. said that responding to the "Strategy for sustainable agricultural and rural development in the period of 2021 - 2030" (Decision No. create a foundation for units to join together to build safe and sustainable agriculture.

Mr. Vu also added that Syngenta Vietnam has joined with local agricultural management units such as Can Tho, Dong Thap, An Giang, and Lam Dong to launch the campaign "Clean environment - Green life" campaign. during the past 8 years.

Up to now, Syngenta has organized training on the safe and effective use of pesticides for more than 15,000 farmers; more than 80 tons of drug packaging were collected and destroyed. The campaign was launched in 15 districts/provinces and cities across the country, thereby helping farmers to use pesticides in compliance with the "4 rights" principle to effectively manage pests and diseases while ensuring health safety. health, environment, products meeting food safety and hygiene standards, for export.

Developing "Clean environment - Green life"

The campaign "Clean environment - Green life" has been implemented by Syngenta Vietnam Co., Ltd in collaboration with the Sub-Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection in many localities over the past 8 years. This year, the campaign was held in the provinces of Can Tho, Dong Thap, An Giang, and Lam Dong. The campaign has created a spread and initially improved the habits and awareness of farmers about the use of pesticides.

On December 7, the 8th "Clean Environment - Green Life" campaign was launched in Don Duong district, Lam Dong province.

Still wearing the full set of protective clothing, Ms. Nguyen Thi Ngai, a farmer in Tu Tra commune (Don Duong district) rushed into the agricultural waste collection area of Syngenta Vietnam Co., Ltd. to hand it over to technical staff. Large sacks are household wastes in the process of agricultural production. After weighing the amount of waste, Mrs. Ngai happily received gifts of cooking oil, sugar, and seasoning powder...

Ms. Ngai said: "Thanks to the propaganda by agricultural extension officers, the people of Tu Tra commune have become more and more aware of environmentally friendly production. Therefore, the packaging of plant protection drugs, including fertilizer packages, etc. are all gathered in the right location so as not to affect the environment. Now, Syngenta Vietnam Co., Ltd. also organizes to collect and exchange gifts, what can be more fun than that."

Mr. Truong Ngoc Hoang (Lac Nghiep village, Don Duong district, Lam Dong province) has more than 22,000 m2 specialized in growing vegetables, so the amount of waste is the packaging of plant protection drugs, packaging of fertilizers, etc. very big. Mr. Hoang said: "In the past, we only knew how to collect it once and then burn it. Many houses conveniently threw it out into a very dangerous environment. Since being instructed by the technical staff, we have collected and collected it. and put it in the right place for businesses to collect and handle".

If only collecting "bottle" shells to exchange for spices as above may not be attractive enough for people to change their habit of destroying their pesticide shells. Mr. Hoang added that he is preparing clean fields to join the affiliate farming model of Syngenta Company. One of the requirements of the model is to use drugs according to the "4 rights" principle. The packaging of pesticides must be gathered in the right place, without polluting the environment, so his family has taken it seriously. collect pesticide packaging for proper destruction.

This year's campaign "Clean Environment - Green Life" is similar to previous years. When participating in the program, people will collect used pesticide bottles and packaging discarded in fields, orchards, and public places... to bring to redemption points in 4 provinces. , and the city and receive practical gifts. All collected pesticide packaging will be gathered and processed following the global Syngenta Group's safety, health, and environmental standards.

The collection of packaging in the field is a small job, but it will contribute to changing farmers' awareness of environmental protection, and the safe and responsible use of pesticides, for their health. , family and community. Simultaneously, Syngenta and local authorities jointly organize training activities, train farmers, instruct how to use pesticides properly, and collect signatures from farmers in the commitment. green environmental protection, sustainable development.

Ha Ngoc Chien, Director of the Lam Dong Plant Protection Sub-Department, shared that to achieve the goal by 2025, 80% of agricultural waste will be collected following regulations, requiring the cooperation of the whole system. political systems and communities, businesses, and citizens. Mr. Chien believes that campaigns like this, if spread, will help the agricultural industry develop more sustainably.

Via: baochinhphu.vn