An agricultural machine, which can sow seeds and spread fertiliser, of farmer Nguyen Phan from Phu Xuan commune, Tan Phu district, Dong Nai province, is attracting much attention of visitors to the first national technology and equipment fair, Techmart Vietnam 2003.

The machine can plough and sow seeds with adjustable volume of seeds. It can be used to spread chemical fertilisers with a effectiveness about 30% higher than normal, while helping reduce environmental pollution. By using the machine, a person can sow 3,000 square metres of rice or 6,000 square metres of green beans, one hectare of maize and two hectares of cotton. It can be used for removing grass with a productivity of four fold higher than the traditional manual method. The machine's productivity can increase by 2.5 fold if a small-sized motor is added to the machine. Four or five sowing machines can be used at the same time, being installed in a vehicle which is pulled by either a buffalo or a cow. The machine can be made of plastic or metals. This product and solar energy-powered pumping system of Mr Phan, won the third prize at the technical innovation contest in Dong Nai province in 2002.

Mr Phan worked very hard to make the machine. In 1973, Mr Phan moved from Hue to Dong Nai. As a farmer who relied much on agriculture for a living, life seemed hard for Mr Phan and his family. Sowing and growing crops in his locality depend much on climatic conditions. With a great determination, Mr Phan worked very hard for two years to invent a complete machine. After nine attempts the machine was made successfully. The success with his first agricultural machine has encouraged him to get involved in scientific work. Mr Phan paid visits to researchers and scientists to borrow professional literature for his work. Last year, he invented a simple solar energy pumping system, which can be used for watering bonsai trees. Attending the Techmart Vietnam 2003, Mr Phan wants to get ideas from researchers and scientists on his solar energy pump which was made in August 2003.

Talking about his seeding machine, Mr Phan said that the Department of Science and Technology of Dong Nai province would help him register his innovation with the National Office of Industrial Property Rights.