On August 2, 2024, in Hanoi, the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Fertilizer Association (FAV) organized its 6th Congress and elected a new Executive Board and Standing Committee for the term 2024-2029. The Congress unanimously elected Mr. Phung Ha, Vice Chairman and General Secretary of the Vietnam Fertilizer Association, as the Central Chairman of the Vietnam Fertilizer Association for the sixth term (2024 – 2029)
FERTILIZER ACCOUNTS FOR 30-60% OF INPUT COSTS IN AGRICULTURE
Speaking at the Congress, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr. Hoang Trung, stated that over the years, the domestic production and importation of fertilizers have provided Vietnamese agriculture with 10-10.5 million tons of various fertilizers. Significant strides have been made towards self-sufficiency in urea production, phosphate-containing fertilizers, and complex NPK fertilizers, with some types being exported.
However, Vietnam’s fertilizer application rates are much higher than in many other countries and triple the global average. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has consistently advised farmers to follow the “5 Rights” when using fertilizers: using the right type of fertilizer, meeting the physiological needs of the crop, considering ecological needs, applying at the right time and under suitable weather conditions, and employing proper methods.
“Most recently, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development launched the project ‘Sustainable Development of 1 Million Hectares of High-Quality, Low-Emission Rice in Association with Green Growth’. The project aims to reduce the amount of rice seeds sown to below 70kg/ha, decrease the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides by 30%, and reduce water consumption by 20% compared to traditional cultivation methods,” said Deputy Minister Hoang Trung.
“Currently, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam is collaborating with the United States Department of Agriculture on the ‘4 Rights’ project for nutrient management in rice, encompassing using the right type, in the right proportion, at the right time, and in the right place.”
Mr. Hoang Trung, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development
In addition to domestically produced fertilizers, Vietnam also imports significant quantities of fertilizers from other countries. During the first six months of 2024, fertilizer imports to Vietnam exceeded 2.58 million tons, with a value of 838.34 million USD. The largest import market was China, accounting for over 1.03 million tons, valued at nearly 295.98 million USD, constituting 40% of the total import volume and 35.3% of the total import value of fertilizers into Vietnam.
Russia was the second-largest source of imports, with a total volume of 362,326 tons valued at 164.11 million USD. The third-largest market was Southeast Asia, with 309,775 tons valued at 95.12 million USD.
Deputy Minister Hoang Trung emphasized the crucial role of fertilizers, contributing 30-60% to the value of agricultural inputs and increasing crop yields by 40-50%. Therefore, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has prioritized the production and use of organic fertilizers as a long-term solution. This approach combines modern scientific and technological advances with traditional experience, effectively utilizing the potential and advantages of available organic resources in Vietnam to partially replace inorganic fertilizers, reduce dependence on imports, and promote sustainable agricultural development.
To build a sustainable, responsible, circular, and green agriculture sector while reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has approved the “Project for the Development of Organic Fertilizer Production and Use until 2030, with a vision towards 2050.” The project aims to increase the proportion of organic fertilizer use to at least 30% by 2030.
AIMING FOR 50% USE OF ORGANIC FERTILIZERS
Regarding the vision for 2050, Deputy Minister Hoang Trung shared the aspiration to make Vietnam a country with a high rate of organic fertilizer use in the region. The goal is to have organic fertilizers used on 50% of the cultivated area, with 80% of provinces and cities developing models for organic fertilizer use linked to value chains for their key and specialty products. Additionally, 100% of available resources from crop cultivation, livestock farming, aquaculture, and household and industrial waste will be utilized for organic fertilizer production.
On behalf of the Vietnam Fertilizer Association, the new Chairman, Mr. Phung Ha, stated that the Association’s tasks for the term 2024-2029 include actively participating in programs, projects, and scientific research topics. The Association will also focus on dissemination, training, consulting, and providing social assessments on mechanisms, policies, and laws related to fertilizers and the fields of agriculture, farmers, and rural areas.
Additionally, the Association will continue to expand its foreign relations and international cooperation with multilateral, bilateral, and non-governmental organizations, adhering to the principle of mutual cooperation and development. This will facilitate the joint development of programs, projects, and topics to generate financial resources for the Association, its members, and experts and scientists contributing their intellectual prowess to the industry’s progress.
Furthermore, the Vietnam Fertilizer Association will maintain and enhance the quality of its communication and information dissemination, ensuring that the Party and state’s guidelines, directions, policies, and laws are promptly conveyed to the people, especially farmers across the country…
The Vietnam Fertilizer Association is a socio-professional, non-governmental, and non-profit organization of individuals, enterprises, and organizations operating in the fields of fertilizer production, business, services, import and export, and related activities in Vietnam. The Congress unanimously elected Mr. Phung Ha, Vice Chairman and General Secretary of the Vietnam Fertilizer Association, as the Central Chairman of the Vietnam Fertilizer Association for the sixth term (2024 – 2029). The Congress also elected the members of the Executive Committee and 28 members of the Standing Committee of the Vietnam Fertilizer Association for the sixth term. Mr. Nguyen Tri Ngoc, Vice Chairman of the Association, was elected as the Vice Chairman and General Secretary of the Vietnam Fertilizer Association for the sixth term.
At the Congress, the Vietnam Fertilizer Association Central Committee also presented certificates of merit to businesses, collectives, and individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the Association in recent years.
