Hi-tech agriculture is one of the most strategic plans of Dong Thap. How does a local officer explain this idea?
There are dramatic changes in the thinking of Dong Thap farmers
“Comfort is better than pride”. This old-fashioned thinking makes many farmers decided to stay and work individually, asked their acquaintances for help if needed but all of the consequences of their farming lost. In order to persuade this group of farmers to change, there can only be one option of showing them the positive result from the “Farmer Sharing Platform”” model. Mr. Tran Van Tuan – the leader of Tan Dan Ward, West Tan Thuan Commune, Dong Thap Province – shared his experience on the form of communication and campaign in order to encourage farmers to join the model of hi-tech production process.
Using your influence of being the leader of the ward, have you submitted your application to join Thuan Tan “Farmer Sharing Platform”” in order to make everybody else follow your step?
In the beginning, I didn’t understand thoroughly this production model, thus I was skeptical with a lot of doubts. Nonetheless, I spent time doing research on the effects of the science application from other provinces and areas, as well as trying to understand how the market operates, what other organizations’ goals are, comparing the benefits and the sustainability of all of the models, and what are the traits of smart consumers. Thanks to the research, I was able to really understand the issue, I applied for the Sharing Platform, not that I want others to follow my step, but because I see the effects of it. I would not do it if I don’t see any benefits from it.
How about the other farmers? What are your strategies to persuade them to join?
I know that I need practical results to make a real-life comparison for the farmers to see the benefits. If we still try to stick to the traditional production method, with each farmer just work on his/her own, without sharing experience, the good and the bad, we would definitely face the decrease in price from the buyers. We have seen it since long time ago. However, if all of us are open to share, to discuss with each other about the effective way to work on farming, we would be more successful. For example, if we invest in something together, we will have the benefit of the wholesale at reduced investment cost. If we share our farming methods, how to use the pesticide and herbicides properly, we will be able to not only cut down the risk of diseases for crops due to chemicals usage but also enhance the farming outcome.
The above benefits helps decrease the cost of production, as well as increase the yields of the crops, because we will grow “healthy”” and “clean”” crops. We will farm together, using a consistent farming method, harvesting consistent high quality crops. This is the important fundamental element that allows us to work with big partners. When the farmers see that they will have much more benefit that will be divided equally, they will be much more willing to join the “Farmer Sharing Platform”.
What makes you think that the more logical farming methods that you have just mentioned compared to the traditional ones can be called technological application?
Yes indeed. When the farmers buy fertilizer in big volume to share, they only need to make a phone call to the seller to order delivery, which is much more convenient. They can use automatic watering system, they can use hybrid remote control system to apply pesticide, saving a lot of money on hiring the real people to do the work, which is also safe for the people health. There need to be only 1 successful farmer to make all other farmers to follow this method.
Nonetheless, I have to admit that there are still some farmers who are not flexible. On the other hand, these farmers also face some financial difficulties. For this case, it is crucial to persuade them with the successful case from other farmers. At the same time, the members of the sharing platform can “show off”” their real benefits thanks to the model, with higher yield and higher selling price. These are definitely proves to attract the non-member farmers.
To make the farmers understand about hi-tech farming in brief, what will you say?
Hi-tech farming is the practical farming method that will help farmers to gain more profit. However, in order to understand and approach this farming method, farmers need some basic knowledge and understanding, and the ability to access appropriate production methods in order to maximize the process. In terms of product contribution, farmers have to look up market information, do some research on what works properly for each season on a big scale, refer to the need of different supply chains based on the characteristics of each region, city, or each occasion. In general, nowadays, farmers are becoming more and more adaptive to science and supporting documents for farming, and they know how to apply the knowledge effectively.
It is always easier said than done. What is the reality of this case?
It is the same in every category and every field. The research stage is always easier than the execution stage. Therefore, we will carry out the easier part. For instance, we will try to eliminate the outdated irresponsible farming method of temporary cultivation “2 paths of vegetable along with 2 cages for the farm animals””. If the farmers continue working that way, sooner or later, all of them will end up getting sick. The products of the farmers in the Sharing Platform will have to go through a strict control stage to make sure the consistent standardized quality. In the beginning of each farming season, we will gather the members of the Sharing Platform for them to get to know the cooperatives and the buyers, for the members to really know the capacity they have to reach, the timing, the price, etc. The farmers will directly sign their contracts with the buyers. Those are the first stage. For the more difficult task, we will help the farmers to work on those eventually.
Source: The Nha Quan Ly Magazine (2018).