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Table 1 Area, production and yield of maize in South Vietnam.1985-1992.
Year
Area
('000 ha)
Production
('000 t)
Yield
(t/ha)
1985
1990
1991
1992
155.4
133.7
135.1
137.0
267.1
218.1
217.0
232.9
1. 72
1.63
1.60
1.70
Table 2. Maize production in South Vietnam. First crop 1993.
Province Area Production Yield
(ha) (tons) (t/ha)
Lam Dong 12,000 22,060 1.84
Minh Thuan 2,000 3,000 1.50
Binh Thuan 1,500 2,250 1.50
Dong Nai 29,000 95,000 3.28
Song De 2,000 4,000 2.00
Tay Ninh 0,300 330 1.10
Vung Tau - Ba Ria 10,780 21,770 2.02
Tien Giang 1,000 2,400 2.40
Dong Thap 1,300 3,060 2.35
Tra Vinh 1,477 3,485 2.36
An Giang 4,000 15,010 3.75
can Tha 4,000 990 0.25
SOC Trang 5,000 1,550 0.31
Minh Hai 1,200 2,400 2.00
Total 75,557 177 ,305 2.35
was imported by the Ministry of Agriculture and Provincial companies and was planted in many
provinces. Many hybrids have been tested in SOUth Vietnam such as Cargill 333, Cargill 777,
Bioseed 9670, Uniseed 30, Uniseed 90, etc. The price of the seed ranges from US$1.5 to 3.2/kg.
II. Production constraints in south Vietnam
As mentioned above, from 1985-1992 the average yield was 1.6-1.7 t/ha. This is very low
when compared to the yield potential of the currently available improved varieties. Limited use
of new varieties and traditional practices with very low levels of inputs are the main reasons
for these low yields. Production is limited by many other factors including:
a. Climate constraints: During the early rainy season, in some regions rainfall sometimes is
not sufficient and drought spells of 1-2 weeks are common. The farmers that need to plant before
the rains start may lose the seed and have to replant 2-3 times. During the rainy season, the
problem is that heavy rains create waterlogging normally followed by dry weather leading to poor
emergence. Maize suffers great damage from excessive moisture, but more commonly from drought.
Because of heavy rains, it is difficult for farmers to do the necessary hand weeding, since
very few farmers use herbicides in maize.
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