Ensuring fertilizer quality in Vietnam's Mekong Delta: The role of government and market initiatives

Abstract Motivation If fertilizer is of low quality, farmers can be reluctant to use it, leading to low crop yields and low profitability. Although low‐quality fertilizer is often reported in the global south, little is said about how to solve the problem. Purpose We examine how the government, fertilizer manufacturers and dealers, and farmers have dealt with fertilizer quality in Vietnam. We evaluate the quality of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) fertilizer samples in the Mekong Delta, a hub of rice production. Approach and methods We conducted in‐depth interviews and discussions with stakeholders to understand the mechanisms for ensuring fertilizer quality and their effectiveness. It became clear that concerns about fertilizer quality were not regarding products from large state enterprises that dominate the market, but rather about fertilizer from smaller, often newer, manufacturers. We collected 141 samples of NPK fertilizers from smaller manufacturers in the Mekong Delta to compare the measured levels of nitrogen (N), phosphate (P), and potassium (K) with their declared levels. Findings Three complementary strategies for ensuring fertilizer quality have been identified: (1) government regulation and oversight through licensing, mandatory quality labelling, and random inspections; (2) manufacturer initiatives to establish brand reputation through warranties and dealer certification; and (3) farmer observations of fertilizer effectiveness that are communicated back to local dealers. The overall quality of fertilizers in the market was notably high, with the main brands from state enterprises capturing 95% of the market share. However, concerns were raised regarding the quality of lesser‐known fertilizer brands from newer manufacturers. Analysis of 141 fertilizer samples revealed that 48.9% of the minor‐brand fertilizers were lacking in at least one nutrient, exceeding the legally allowed deviation of 10%. Samples usually had excessive nitrogen and insufficient potassium. Policy implications These findings highlight the necessity of coordinated government and market efforts to ensure fertilizer quality. Government regulation alone may not eliminate substandard fertilizer from the market, but it can be effective when combined with market initiatives from fertilizer manufacturers, dealers, and farmers.