Proceedings of the Fifth Asian Regional Maize Workshop - Search ...

organizing visits as well as field days to these plots.
2. Training farmers.
3. Printing short technical leaflets for farmers.
4. Informing people via mass communication media.
5. Having adequate policies.
The fifth method is very important in production, and it can be implemented by:
1. Partly subsidizing seed and irrigation prices,
2. Eliminate taxation on the additional crop (winter maize),
3. Lending farmers low interest capital,
4. seeking markets at home or abroad, and
5. Reducing or eliminating import taxes for hybrid maize seed.
Owing to the above mentioned measures, the results of the extension work undertaken by
central organizations to help farmers to enhance utilization of the new varieties and application
of the advanced technique, can be sunvnarized as follows:
1. The period from introduction to population appl ication of the technique of transplanting
winter maize with seedling balls on wet soil was very short. In 1982-83, the test area was only
5 ha. In 1985, the acreage increased sharply to 127,000 ha.
2. The rate of increase in planting high yielding maize hybrids in intensive farming areas has
been very rapid:
- In 1990,
- In 1991,
- In 1992,
- In 1993,
20 ha
500 ha
12,800 ha
50,000 ha
These areas have obtained average yield of 5 to 8 t/ha, and 9 to 10 t/ha by experienced
farmers.
From the experience of the extension work on maize, we have concluded that achievements in
research originating from farmers concepts and practices can be rapidly adopted. Of course,
adoption is more rapid when there is a profitable market for farmers' products.
Thanks to the high yielding yellow grain hybrids adaptable to intensive farming areas with
irrigation, the National Maize Program is planning faster achievements in the years to come, i.e.
the hybrid acreage wi 11 reach to 80-100,000 ha by 1994 and 400,000 ha by the year 2000, approximately
~ of the total projected hectarage of maize.
At present, we are rearranging the cropping patterns in the extensive rice growing regions
in the Mekong river delta and central provinces of Vietnam. Formerly, three rice crops were
grown there. Now, those are being changed into 2 rice crops and one maize or soybean crop, to
better protect rice from insects and diseases, diversify food crops, and bring more benefit to
farmers.
These are the main activities of the National Maize Program of Vietnam. It would not be
as successful if there had not been invaluable assistance from CIMMYT, UNDP, and FAO. Also the
fruitful cooperation between the National Maize Program and many other countries, especially in
the Asian region.
On this occasion, on behalf of the National Maize Program, I would like to express our
sincere thanks to CIMMYT and the international organizations such as lJNDP and FAO. I am very
grateful to all of you for your participating in the Fifth Asian Regional Maize WOrkshop in
Vietnam.
References
Uy, T. H., and T. C. Tin. 1990. Progress in maize development program and maize
stress environments in Vietnam. In C. De Leon, et a7. Eds. 1990. Proc.
Regional Maize WOrkshop. Pakistan, Sept. 21-28, 1990.
breeding for
Fourth Asian
150