Using IMO preparations for sustainable agriculture

In line with the agricultural sector’s goal of producing clean, safe, high-yield, high-quality, and sustainable products, many farmers across the province have recently begun using Indigenous Microorganisms (IMO) preparations in production, achieving highly effective results.

Officials from the provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment and local farmers inspect a rice field using IMO preparations in hamlet 9, Song Ray commune

In Song Ray and Phu Nghia communes and Trang Dai ward, many farmers have actively applied IMO in clean rice production and the cultivation of durians and green-skinned grapefruits, thereby achieving many positive results.

Enhancing the value of rice grains in Song Ray

Song Ray commune has about 500 hectares of rice fields, mainly cultivated in two crop seasons: winter-spring and summer-autumn. Some areas with sufficient water resources can produce three crops per year. In recent years, the application of IMO biological preparations in rice production has brought significant benefits, helping improve and stabilize farmers’ livelihoods.

Nguyen Van Nga, Head of the Farmers’ Sub-association in hamlet 9, Song Ray commune, said: “In 2023, the district’s agricultural sector invited engineers to guide local farmers in producing and using IMO for rice cultivation. We applied it and saw very clear results.”

IMO is simply produced from readily available ingredients, such as rice wine yeast, ripe bananas, pumpkin, molasses, yogurt, and digestive enzymes. All the ingredients are placed in a container and fermented for several days to create a biological preparation. This preparation not only helps decompose rice straw and other plant residues in the field, converting them into organic fertilizer, but also enriches soil nutrients, eliminates pathogens, and suppresses weed growth.

This method helps farmers significantly reduce input costs while producing clean, safe rice for consumers. Nga added: “My family has five rods of rice fields. After six crop seasons using IMO, the rice has grown well with fewer pests and diseases, significantly reducing the use of chemical pesticides. The yield remains stable at around 6 tons per hectare, and the quality of the rice has improved, leading traders to sign long-term purchase contracts.”

Sharing the same view, Vu Van Thuy, Head of the Organic Clean Rice Cooperative Group in hamlet 9, Song Ray commune, said: “Hamlet 9 has about 130 hectares of rice fields, with the cooperative group consisting of 20 member households cultivating a total of around 8 hectares under the IMO model. Given the benefits brought by IMO, the cooperative group is encouraging local farmers to join in order to enhance value, while developing a brand and a clean rice supply source to strengthen cooperation with enterprises and ensure stable market distribution.”

“The application of IMO preparations in agricultural production by farmers in Dong Nai province has brought dual benefits. First, it helps reduce the financial burden of fertilizer and pesticide costs while increasing product value, thereby improving farmers’ income. Reusing agricultural by-products to produce IMO helps reduce environmental pollution and protect human health, marking a step in the right direction. Especially today, ensuring food safety and hygiene is essential, particularly for rice and fruit products. Therefore, in the coming time, we will continue to strengthen communication efforts and encourage farmers, businesses, and organizations to apply IMO preparations in production, contributing to the development of sustainable agriculture.”

Le Thuc Long, Deputy Head of the Sub-department of Rural Development, Department of Agriculture and Environment of Dong Nai province

Addressing the issue of durian with underdeveloped flesh

Established in August 2023 with 20 members, the Long Phu Durian Cooperative in Tan Lap hamlet, Phu Nghia commune, currently manages a total cultivation area of about 45 hectares.

Tran Van Duc, a resident of hamlet 7, Song Ray commune, introduces the system used to store and spray IMO preparations for caring for his family’s durian orchard. Photo: Quang Minh

Hoang Van Hai, Secretary of the Party Cell of Long Phu Durian Cooperative, said: “During our visit and learning experiences in several provinces in the Mekong Delta, we were introduced to the method of using IMO preparations and their remarkable benefits. When applied to durian cultivation, the results have been truly outstanding. My family invested about 10 million VND to build a system for producing IMO preparations. After producing the F1 type of IMO, we further cultivate it into F2 and F3 products as needed for watering or spraying the trees. Depending on the durian’s growth stage, IMO preparations can be supplemented with small fish or shrimp heads to increase nitrogen and potassium content, thereby improving soil nutrition and enhancing fruit quality.”

To date, most members of the Long Phu Cooperative have invested in IMO production systems for durian cultivation. Many farmers shared that applying IMO preparations during the pre-harvest stage helps increase sweetness, reduce premature fruit drop, and improve the quality of the flesh. As a result, the cooperative’s durian products have met VietGAP standards and earned a 3-star OCOP certification.

Trang Dai green-skin grapefruits - Richly sweet and disease-free

Trang Dai ward is witnessing the growing adoption of clean agricultural models using IMO preparations, particularly in the care of green-skinned grapefruit trees. The family of Le Trong Kim in Vam hamlet cultivates five rods of green-skinned grapefruit. Since 2024, they have fully adopted organic microbial methods. Notably, the IMO preparation, made by Kim himself, is simply produced from a mixture of finely crushed garlic and chili with high spiciness. After being fermented for one to two weeks, the mixture is diluted and sprayed evenly along the entire trunk of the tree.

Le Trong Kim, a resident of Vam hamlet in Trang Dai ward, is pleased that the IMO preparation has helped his grapefruit grow round and healthy, resist pests, become sweeter, and fetch higher prices

Kim shared: “After spraying, the strong spicy aroma of garlic and chili helps repel harmful insects such as green stink bugs, red spiders, and mealybugs. After a while, scars and dark spots on the fruits heal naturally, and the orchard becomes healthy with green leaves, all without using chemical pesticides.”

During the cultivation process, grapefruits that are either of low quality or produced in excess are thinned, but not wasted. These thinned fruit is chopped and fermented together with other plant materials and small fish, creating a biological pesticide while also serving as fertilizer to enrich the soil, promote flowering and fruit set, and increase the sweetness of the grapefruits.

Since the beginning of 2025, Kim’s family has completed two harvests. Thanks to the round, visually appealing grapefruits with a high proportion meeting first-grade standards, traders have purchased the produce at prices higher than those of conventionally grown grapefruits, bringing Kim great satisfaction.

Nguyen Thi Tra, Vice Chairwoman of the Trang Dai Ward Farmers’ Association, said: “The model of using IMO preparations to care for Kim’s green-skinned grapefruits has been developed by the Farmers’ Association and the agricultural sector into a demonstration site. Currently, many households in the ward are learning from and widely applying this method, not only to green-skinned grapefruits but also to other crops, yielding clear and positive results.”

By Quang Minh - Translated by Huyen Trang, Minho