By Amanda Lim

Agri Smile is preparing to distribute its biostimulant in Vietnam after field trials saw an increase in rice yields by 43% while delivering a sixfold return on investment.

The trial was conducted in partnership with Mitsubishi Research Institute (MRI), and Vietnam’s Pan Group, parent company of Vinaseed.

The demonstration evaluated climate change mitigation and improved fertiliser uptake efficiency in rice production under tropical and subtropical conditions.

The tested biostimulant was derived from agricultural residue and was designed to enhance plant immunity and nutrient uptake.

Application of the biostimulant led to measurable physiological improvements in rice plants, including enhanced tolerance to high temperatures and stronger root development.

Yield in treated rice plots reached 688.7 kg per 10 ares (0.1 ha), compared with 482.8 kg per 10 ares in untreated plots.

This represents an increase of 205.9 kg per 10 ares, equivalent to a 43% uplift, approximately 1.43 times higher than control.

On a per-hectare basis, the yield improvement corresponds to an estimated profit increase of approximately VND40.2m.

According to the study, the economic return was more than six times the cost of applying the biostimulant under the specific trial conditions.

The companies noted that results may vary depending on environmental and agronomic conditions.

Following the positive results, the three companies plan to prepare for commercial distribution of the biostimulant in Vietnam.

The companies also plan to assess its applicability to other crops, aiming to realise sustainable agriculture that is resilient to climate change while achieving high production efficiency.

Demo details

The five-month field demonstration in the Hung Yen Province of Vietnam evaluated the Japanese-developed biostimulant derived from agricultural residues.

The aim was to secure rice yields under climate change conditions, maintain and improve quality, and enable low-fertiliser agricultural production by using the biostimulant.

The project responds to the challenges affecting global agriculture: intensifying climate change and declining soil fertility due to excessive fertiliser use.

Rising fertiliser costs have further undermined farm-level profitability, increasing the urgency of low-input, sustainable production models.

The three-way partnership aimed to maintain and improve rice yield and quality under high-temperature conditions while reducing dependence on chemical fertilisers.

Japan-Vietnam partnership

Last September, the companies announced that it was trailing the biostimulant.

This agreement was inked within the Vietnam-Japan Public-Private Cooperation Forum framework.

In addition to improving crop yields, the Pan Group believed that biostimulants could be the next growth area.

“With government policies encouraging organic and biological agriculture, I believe biostimulants have the potential to become a priority group of products for development, registration, and market expansion,” said Nguyen Thi Tra My, PAN Group CEO and Vinaseed chairwoman.

From a national perspective, a wider adoption of biostimulants could be a strategy to boost the sustainability and global standing of its agricultural sector.

“This green technology is expected to play a crucial role in reducing agricultural chemicals, improving yields, enhancing climate resilience, and meeting international standards – thereby strengthening the global competitiveness of Vietnamese agriculture,” said Nguyen.

Copyright: AgTech Navigator

Published Date: March 3, 2026