Page 46 - STRATEGY FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTUR AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE PERIOD 2021-2030 AND VISION TO 2050

15. What are “plant health” and “soil health”? What is “Integrated
Crop Health Management”?

The content of plant health (PH) is nutrition, food safety, quality and nutrition;
integrated pest management (IPM). Still, mainstreaming social protection and inclusive
in a broader perspective, based on IPM growth; comply with regulations and
implemented in the past time, the agricultural contribute to environmental protection,
sector will incorporate human health, biodiversity conservation and improvement
ecosystem impacts, soil health and other of the competitiveness of Vietnamese
factors. PH is a new approach suitable agricultural products in domestic and
for climate change, biodiversity loss and international markets.
environmental protection. PH is an element Soil health has been defined as “the ability
that constitutes the concept of “One Health” of the soil to sustain the productivity, diversity,
(OH), besides human, soil and animal health. and environmental services of terrestrial
FAO has developed a strategic framework ecosystems” (ITPS, 2020). Soil health is about
for the “One Health” program since 2008, the soil’s fertility, nutrients, natural microbial
based on an analysis of the risks for crop systems, and self-healing mechanism. Fertility
protection arising from three related aspects and nutrient content in the soil depends on
at the intersection of these health categories. the parent rock. In addition, over a process
OH will be impacted regardless of the factors of millions of years, soil health is also greatly
affecting the plant, animal or human health.
influenced by natural conditions, topography,
Integrated PH management increases climate, human farming history, etc. In
the chances for healthy plants, genetic addition, physical, chemical and biological
host resistance, farming practices, properties related to soil health should be
chemical application, biological control considered. Physical properties related to soil
and management practices (Michael J. health include soil mechanical composition,
Boehm, 2017). Currently, the Plant Protection aeration, soil compaction, PH, etc. Chemical
Department (PPD) and FAO Viet Nam are properties mean whether the soil has enough
coordinating to implement the “Technical 16 nutrients needed for plants. In addition,
assistance to develop an Integrated PH limited nutritional factors such as alum,
Management Strategy and Action Plan” for salinity and alkalinity should be considered.
2021-2023. The objective of the project is to Biological properties related to soil health
manage comprehensively and systematically include soil cover, microbial population, and
transboundary pests/response to pest risks the ratio of harmful micro-organisms and
in the context of climate change and global beneficial micro-organisms (Nguyen Dang
economic integration; integration of PH, crop Nghia, 2020).

46 Guidelines for the Strategy for sustainable agriculture and rural development
in the period 2021-2030, and vision to 2050