Page 62 - Agricultural innovation

Figure 16. New equipments introduced in the large field of rice
Source: Loc Troi Group

Group’s organization of high-quality raw material areas always meets market needs. When farmers
apply these standards, using the group’s products in the right dosage, at the right time and for the right
target is the top priority to ensure pesticide residues in the final product. This contributes to the goal of
reducing chemicals in Vietnamese fields, protecting rural living environments, protecting consumer
health and protecting land and water resources.
Typical of this model is the direction to focuse on developing high-quality rice varieties and
products, promoting scientific research on organic products to reduce pesticides, and especially the
enterprise has deployed the “3 together” force (ie. engineers eat, live, and work together with farmers).
The “three forces” are present directly in the fields to listen to the thoughts, aspirations, and production
requirements of farmers and transfer to them advances, science, and advanced farming techniques. Loc
Troi Group began building the 3 Together force and implemented the major program Together with
farmers in the fields in 2006. To date, the 3 Together force has reached 1,325 agricultural engineers.
In addition, the 3 Together force also serves the Group to build a large raw material area and build a
rice production value chain, with 5 modern rice processing factories in the Mekong Delta, more than
25,000 households engaged in high quality rice production.

c) Sustainable rice cultivation according to SRP standards
As climate change increasingly impacts crops, especially rice, the risk of global food shortages is
increasing, and shifting farming methods from a central goal to is productivity to the goal of ensuring
profits for farmers along with environmental protection being the top concern. From this goal, in
2016, Loc Troi Group and farmers in 3 provinces of An Giang, Kien Giang and Dong Thap tested
sustainable rice farming standards, including 46 requirements, from the beginning to the end of a rice
crop cycle. This experimental process receives great attention and support from local departments and
international organizations. Through 4 implementation seasons, the results show that when applying
this standard, farmers save 12% of plant protection drug costs on the principle of IPM integrated pest

Agricultural Innovation Review in CLV Countries 55