Rice farming models : A comparison between conventional and large-scale rice farmers’ agrichemical work practice in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam

The large-scale rice farming model is a response to the need for improving pest management to reduce the environmental impacts and health effects of chemical pesticides. This research shows the benefits and limitations of being in cooperation with large-scale model rice farming companies in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. 15 rice farmers in An Giang province in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam were interviewed 2015 when the winter-spring rice was cultivated. This study shows that large-scale rice farmers tend to be more concerned about agrichemicals environmental impacts. Large-scale rice farmers are more open-minded to try alternative pest control methods and they recycle empty pesticide containers more consistently than conventional rice farmers. Large-scale rice farmers overuse fertilizer which conventional rice farmers do not. Otherwise there are no major differences in the work practice between large-scale rice farmers and conventional rice farmers. The large-scale model rice farming has the potential to be healthier and more environmental sound than conventional rice farming. However, a great responsibility lies on the companies’ shoulders to educate, inform, help and provide assistance for the farmers to reduce the use of agrichemicals and increase the resilience against pests through health and environmental being solutions