Application of Japanese Technology in Organic Agriculture Production

​(News Portal – Dong Nai) – On the morning of August 21st, Vice Chairman Vo Van Phi of the People's Committee of Dong Nai Province, presided over a workshop in applying SOFIX technology in organic agriculture in Japan. Over 130 delegates, including leaders of departments, industries, businesses, cooperatives, partnerships, farms, and farmers engaged in organic agriculture in the region attended the event. 

Vice Chairman Vo Van Phi of the People's Committee of Dong Nai Province directed the workshop. 

SOFIX stands for "Soil Fertility Index." It was researched by Professor Kubo Motoki of Ritsumeikan University (Japan). According to Prof. Kubo Motoki, the technology is used to diagnose the health of agricultural soil by analyzing its bio-chemical-physical properties and material transformation within the soil. SOFIX diagnoses soil fertility based on the quantity of microorganisms. The principle of SOFIX technology is to utilize the circulation of organic compounds and apply them in organic agriculture to minimize the use of fertilizers and pesticides.

This is the world's first microorganism-based soil assessment technology, marking a breakthrough in "soil management" to propose fertilizers that enhance soil fertility and increase productivity in organic agriculture. The technology has been effectively implemented in Japan across various crops. Organic cultivation using SOFIX yields productivity equivalent to or higher than chemical cultivation, reduces production costs by decreasing the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers, while also improving the quality of agricultural products. 

Prof. Kubo Motoki (Japan) introduced SOFIX technology at the workshop.  

Earlier, at the end of 2023, Dong Nai Province organized a delegation to study agricultural production in Japan, including SOFIX technology. The aim of Dong Nai in organizing this workshop is to share experiences and apply this technology in the province.

Organic farmers in Dong Nai asked questions about SOFIX technology at the workshop.  

Vice Chairman Vo Van Phi entrusted the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of the province to coordinate with the Department of Science and Technology, related departments, and the People's Committees of Vinh Cuu and Cam My districts to promptly develop a plan to pilot SOFIX technology on selected durian and pomelo crops; organize monitoring, preliminary review, and summarize results. Based on these, further application and expansion to other crops is encouraged. Additionally, proposals for capable organizations to participate in cooperation, association, and application of SOFIX technology should be made to collaborate with Prof. Kubo Motoki's research team for widespread implementation in the province, contributing to soil fertility improvement and agricultural product quality enhancement. Organizations and individuals participating in the SOFIX technology demonstration model must strictly adhere to production processes and promptly report growth and development progress of crops to provincial specialized agencies. It is hoped that Prof. Kubo Motoki will continue to support Dong Nai Province in applying SOFIX technology, fostering a strong cooperative relationship between the two countries, especially in the field of agricultural development.