For over a long time, Vietnamese farmers have relied on commercial insecticides and pesticides as the most effective and readily available pest controls. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is now promoting growing flowers along rice fields as a safer and equally effective method to prevent pests from attacking rice plants.

The campaign was directed at farmers in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta after the pilot study in Tien Giang Province became a success. The research and experiment was undertaken since the end of last year by the International Rice Research Institute in cooperation with the ministry's Plant Protection Department and Tien Giang Province. They planted sunflowers, daisies and several other varieties of flowers near rice fields that are known not only as easy to plant and tend but are also effective in attracting useful insects which are natural enemies of rice pests. Results show how pests such as brown plant hoppers and rice leaf-folders were unable to attack the crops.

The useful insects known to dwell around these flowers and help protect the rice plants include bees, lady bugs and spiders that normally prey on rice pests, helping farmers on the process, as they eliminate the need for chemical pesticides that are not only hazardous to human health but to the natural environment as well. The method was mooted by the International Rice Research Institute and has been carried out in Thailand, mainland China and Vietnam so far. If such practice expands in the Cuu Long Delta and other regions in the country, it will help farmers reduce pesticide costs. Studies carried out in Cai Be and Cai Lay districts resulted in high yields even without the need to spray pesticides on their rice fields.

With proper training and information, along with constant support, the project is ensured of major cooperation from the country’s rice growers. Tien Giang has now continued to expand the growing of flowers near rice fields to three more districts – Cho Gao, Go Cong Tay and Go Cong Dong.