Insecticide abuse causes greenhouse gas emissions

Research results of rice cultivation land in 5 provinces in the Red River Delta are Hanoi, Hai Duong, Hai Phong, Nam Dinh and Thai Binh of scientists from Hanoi University of Agriculture showed that, every day, rice fields are emitted. a high amount of methane (CH ₄ ) contributes to global warming.

Farmers are abusing chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
Photo taken in Me Linh - Hanoi (Photo: Minh Cuong)

Accordingly, the rate of methane emission of average rice soil in 5 provinces is 52mg CH ₄ / m ² / hour, equivalent to more than 1,200 CH ₄ / m ² / day.

Nam Dinh is the province with the highest methane emission rate, nearly 1,500mg CH ₄ / m ² / day Associate Prof. Dr. Nguyen Huu Thanh said, the amount of methane emissions in the crop is usually larger than that of the spring crop. frequent flooding. When submerged, organic matter resolved under anaerobic conditions will produce CH ₄ , CO ₂ , H ₂ S . affecting the development of rice plants and emissions into the greenhouse effect.

Burning rice straw in the field after harvesting and using pesticides and chemical fertilizers increases methane emissions. In nature, there are two sources of methane production: marsh and wet rice fields.

Research results of the scientists also showed that the amount of organic fertilizer for farmers is very low at only 0.5-1 tons / ha, much lower than the recommendation of the agricultural extension centers. province (from 8-10 tons / ha). In many places, farmers do not even use organic fertilizer while using too much chemical fertilizer.