Members of the Thường Tín District Skilled Rice Transplanter Team participating in the "2025 Hanoi City Tray Seedling Production and Skilled Rice Transplanter Operator Competition." Photo: Long Nguyễn

On February 18, 2025, the Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, in collaboration with the People's Committee of Phú Xuyên District, organised the "2025 Hanoi City Tray Seedling Production and Skilled Rice Transplanter Operator Competition."

The event saw participation from 12 teams representing 10 districts, including Phú Xuyên, Ứng Hòa, Thường Tín, Thạch Thất, Mê Linh, Đông Anh, Sóc Sơn, Quốc Oai, Phúc Thọ, and Ba Vì. Each team comprised five members who competed in three categories: tray seedling production, on-field rice transplanter operation, and team introduction.

Tray seedlings from the Thường Tín District Skilled Rice Transplanter Team. Photo: Long Nguyễn

Judges evaluating tray seedling production at Phú Hưng General Agricultural Service Cooperative (Phú Xuyên District). Photo: Long Nguyễn

In his opening address, Nguyễn Mạnh Phương, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, emphasised Hanoi's commitment to advancing agricultural mechanisation. By 2025, the city aims to comprehensively mechanise its key agricultural commodity production areas. Currently, Hanoi boasts a 100 per cent mechanisation rate in soil preparation, over 90 per cent in harvesting, and a 15 per cent increase in sowing and transplanting mechanisation.

Twelve teams from ten districts—Phú Xuyên, Ứng Hòa, Thường Tín, Thạch Thất, Mê Linh, Đông Anh, Sóc Sơn, Quốc Oai, Phúc Thọ, and Ba Vì—participating in the "2025 Hanoi City Tray Seedling Production and Skilled Rice Transplanter Operator Competition." Photo: Nguyễn Khoa Bảo

From early morning, the competition attracted a large number of farmers who came to watch and cheer. Photo: Nguyễn Khoa Bảo

Nguyễn Hùng Cường, Team Leader of the Phú Hưng General Agricultural Service Cooperative (Phú Xuyên District), shared: “The Phú Hưng General Agricultural Service Cooperative currently operates 11 high-capacity rice transplanters, producing between 150,000 and 170,000 seedling trays per season. By participating in this competition, our team is thrilled to learn more about modern tray seedling and transplanting equipment from various enterprises and to exchange experiences with other teams. This knowledge will enable us to apply advanced techniques locally and expand the use of tray seedlings and mechanised transplanting.”

Despite the morning drizzle and chilly weather, farmers from the capital arrived early to attend the "Festival." Photo: Long Nguyễn

On-site, all twelve teams delivered impressive rice transplanter performances, surprising local farmers. Photo: Long Nguyễn

Ms. Nguyễn Thị Chinh, Director of the Mê Linh District Agricultural Service Center, highlighted the advantages of using tray seedlings and mechanised transplanting, stating, “This approach not only reduces labour costs but also provides wider transplanting spacing, which helps to minimise pests and diseases. It leads to synchronised flowering, a higher number of effective tillers, and yields that are equal to or 5 per cent - 10 per cent higher than traditional transplanting methods. Consequently, this method brings significant economic benefits to farmers.”

Mr. Nguyễn Trọng Vĩnh, Vice Chairman of the Phú Xuyên District People's Committee, shared that in recent years, in addition to the financial support from Hanoi City, which covers 50 per cent of the rice transplanter's cost, Phú Xuyên District has provided an additional 10 per cent, while commune budgets have contributed another 15 per cent. Thanks to this support, the number of rice transplanters in the district has been steadily increasing.

The competition serves as motivation for farmers to work diligently, engage in production, and move towards a more modern and sustainable agricultural sector. Photo: Long Nguyễn

Alongside the competition, the organizers introduced leading agricultural equipment such as agricultural drones and rice transplanters. Photo: Nguyễn Khoa Bảo

Presentation by the Phú Hưng General Agricultural Service Cooperative team (Phú Xuyên District). Photo: Long Nguyễn

Competition Results:

• Grand Prize: Phú Hưng General Agricultural Service Cooperative (Phú Xuyên District)
• First Prize: Tray Seedling Center of Quốc Oai District and Thường Tín District
• Second Prize: Lại Thượng Commune (Thạch Thất District), Mê Linh Agricultural Trade and Service Cooperative (Mê Linh District), Đào Thục Cooperative (Đông Anh District)
• Third Prize: Phú Quý General Agricultural Cooperative (Ba Vì District), Nam Phong Commune (Phú Xuyên District), Liên Hà Agricultural Service Cooperative (Đông Anh District)
• Consolation Prize: Liên Hiệp Agricultural Service Cooperative (Phúc Thọ District), Đồng Tiến Commune (Ứng Hòa District), Bắc Phú Agricultural Service Cooperative (Sóc Sơn District)

Ms. Vũ Thị Hương, Director of the Hanoi Agricultural Extension Center, remarked: “The competition has fostered an exciting and competitive atmosphere, allowing farmers in the capital to enhance their learning, exchange experiences, and apply mechanisation in production—especially in rice sowing and transplanting. This helps increase productivity, reduce input costs, minimise post-harvest losses, ensure seasonal timing, and contribute to environmental protection. At the same time, it motivates farmers to work enthusiastically, engage in production, and move towards a more modern and sustainable agriculture.”

Nguyễn Xuân Đại, Director of the Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, and Phạm Hải Hoa, Chairman of the Hanoi Farmers’ Association, presenting the Grand Prize to the Phú Hưng General Agricultural Service Cooperative team (Phú Xuyên District). Photo: Long Nguyễn

Nguyễn Mạnh Phương, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, and Nguyễn Trọng Vĩnh, Vice Chairman of the Phú Xuyên District People’s Committee, awarding the First Prize to the two winning teams: Quốc Oai District Tray Seedling Center and Thường Tín District. Photo: Long Nguyễn

Remarkable achievement:

"After more than a year of implementing Resolution 08/2023/NQ-HĐND, issued on July 4, 2023, by the Hanoi People's Council, which outlines policies to encourage agricultural development in the city, the mechanisation rate in rice sowing and transplanting has made a remarkable breakthrough. The overall mechanization rate for sowing and transplanting in the city has increased by 15 per cent, compared to just over 3 per cent previously. The implementation of Resolution 08 has contributed to transforming farmers' production mindset, modernising agriculture and rural areas, and promoting socio-economic development in Hanoi."

- Nguyễn Xuân Đại, Director of the Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.