| Author | Do Thanh Lam |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no. AE-95-41 |
| Subject(s) | Pesticides--Vietnam--Hatay
Rice--Vietnam--Red River Delta
|
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master
of Science, School of Environment, Resources, and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | Rice has been so far the most dominant crop in Vietnam agricultural production in general
and in the Red River Delta crop production system in particular. Food deficit problem due to high
population growing pressure within limited agricultural land as in the RRD has been the leading
force to rice intensification. In order to meet the country's food requirement and to make Vietnam
self-sufficient, the Government has put rice production under the first priority to be intensified.
Short duration high yielding varieties together with high input investment such as chemical
fertilizers and pesticides, are the main components to rice intensification. However, indiscriminate
use of pesticides has led to serious agronomic and environmental problems. The common brown
plant hopper resurgence in both two rice growing regions of the country, pests resistance to
pesticides, occurrence of new rice diseases such as bacterial grain rot and leaf yellowing, are said
to be induced by pesticide use.
In this study, results from farm survey have revealed that Methyl-parathion (Wofatox,
Methaphos) and Methamidophos (Monitor) are the most dominant insecticides used by farmers in
area studied, Dan Phuong district, whereas Validamycin A is the most prevalent fungicide used.
These two insecticides are classified by WHO as the extremely (Ia) and highly hazardous products
(lb) respectively, and their long term use may lead to farmers' health and environmental problems.
Analyzing the plant protection system in Vietnam, as well as Government pesticide policies
has allowed to understand that pesticide subsidies in the form of hidden subsidies (no import tax)
and direct subsidies (State pesticide reserve and price support) have indeliberately encouraged
farmers to use pesticides because of low price. Altogether, the poor pesticide management in
terms of quality control/inspection, policies in extension and commercial companies have been the
main reasons to explain for the present pesticide usage by farmers.
Pesticide analysis at farm level has confirmed the impact of different types of pest
management towards farmers' pesticide use. Under the context of non-IPM training, the contract
system of pest management has led farmers to over use pesticide, whereas the open system has led
farmers to general less pesticide use. However, without IPM training farmers in the open system
may over use again as in the case of contract system. Results from the survey has suggested the
important need to train to either farmers, plant protection team members, traders and extension
workers.
Farm income situation has shown significant effects on farmers' pesticide practices. The
high income farmers with sufficient labor and capital tend to spray more than low income farmers.
However, once they are IPM farmers this attitude may be changed towards more cost-effective
and environmentally friendly rice production system. Then, IPM training with participatory
approach appears to be promising in the coming years to reduce pesticide use. However, full
cooperation from Government and local authorities in setting up proper policies and supports are
important issues need to be addressed. |
| Year | 1995 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (Former title: Department of Food Agriculture, and BioResources (DFAB)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Agricultural and Food Engineering (AE) |
| Chairperson(s) | Upasena, Selawa H.;Boonjit Titapiwatanakun |
| Examination Committee(s) | Johnsen, Steffen |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | The Thai King's Scholarship
|
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1995 |
