Author : Nguyen Thi Quynh

Summary : Thai Nguyen is an agricultural province and rice is one of the main crops. Focusing to find the way to develop rice production with enhancing quality and quantity is a major goal of the Government. This research focused on two activities. Characterization of rice growing areas, and land suitability assessment of rice cultivation in Thai Nguyen Province using GIS and multi-criteria analysis. In 2020, the physical rice growing area in Thai Nguyen Province was 44,753 ha, although the planted area was 69,757 ha due 1-2 rice cropping in the area. Rice production was 383,400 (t/yr), with an average yield of 5.5 (t/ha). Suitability map for rice cultivation was constructed for Thai Nguyen Province in 2020. Classifications used were: Highly suitable (S1), Moderately suitable (S2), Marginally suitable (S3), and Not suitable (N). The highly suitable (S1) and moderately suitable (S2) areas are calculated as the intensive rice growing areas (LUT2). The marginally suitable areas are accounted for by the summer rice growing areas (LUT1). Based on the findings, rice growing areas within the province covers 28,175 ha of highly suitable area (S1), 6,999 ha of moderately suitable area (S2), 8,041 ha of marginally suitable area (S3), and 538 ha of not suitable areas for rice cultivation. With the potential area of about 80,000 ha for rice cultivation, farmers in Thai Nguyen Province have not effectively exploited the full potential of the area considering that only 69,757 ha in 2020 was planted to rice. The profit derived per hectare from LUT2 is 5 times higher than that of LUT1. According to the land use plan of Thai Nguyen Province 2021-2030, the land fund for rice cultivation will cover 32,220 ha, a reduction of 12,533 ha (38%) relative to that of 2020. Target growing area for summer rice within 2021-2030 is 6,697 ha, while 25,004 for intensive rice growing area. Based on land suitability assessment, rice production in Thai Nguyen Province should focus on four districts, namely, Dinh Hoa, Dai Tu, Phu Binh, and Pho Yen. In these districts, intensive rice cultivation should include use of appropriate rice varieties per cropping season, as well as the best cultural management practices appropriate for the season in each district. Specific rice cultivation project should be determined by the Policy Manager from each district based on market demand. The remaining districts (Thai Nguyen City, Phu Luong, Dong Hy, Song Cong, and Vo Nhai) need to optimize land utilization efficiency in their crop cultivation areas. For intensive cropping areas, three cropping per year (2 rice crops + 1 high value crop) should be enhanced. Recommended cropping patterns are spring rice-summer rice-winter tomato; and spring rice-summer rice-winter potato.