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The project creates a new production method in line with the world's production and consumption trends; creates a breakthrough shift in agricultural thinking in the Mekong Delta, which is facing the impact of rapid and unpredictable climate change; contributes to improving the income and living standards of rice farmers and businesses; and helps Vietnam realize the goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050.
Tran Luu Quang Deputy Prime Minister
Before expanding the model to the entire Mekong Delta region, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) selected to pilot the project in 5 localities including Can Tho City, Soc Trang, Kien Giang , Dong Thap and Tra Vinh.
In Can Tho City, recently, a pilot model of 50 hectares of high-quality rice implemented at Tien Thuan Agricultural and Service Cooperative, Can Tho City has yielded harvests with increased productivity and quality. In particular, it has proven to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2 - 6 tons/ha. Assessments from the International Rice Research Institute and the World Bank show that the pilot model in Can Tho City has proven effective and is the first step for localities in the region to deploy and replicate in the coming time.
According to Mr. Trinh Van Khon, a farmer in Trung An commune, Co Do district, Can Tho city, the pilot model at Tien Thuan agricultural and service cooperative is more effective than traditional rice cultivation.
“This model is very good for farmers. At first, farmers need training to understand and be able to do it. Without training, farmers may not be able to do it,” said Mr. Trinh Van Khon.
According to scientists, through training sessions on rice cultivation processes according to the 1 million hectare project, people are clearly aware of using certified rice varieties, reducing the amount of seeds when sowing; implementing the alternating wet and dry cultivation process, pest management and straw collection according to the process. If the above processes are followed in cultivation, rice productivity and quality will certainly be guaranteed. Along with that, with the commitment and support of businesses, people will be assured of producing products that are in line with the trend.
According to the leaders of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the implementation shows that the pilot production of high-quality, low-emission rice has brought many other positive results when it has helped reduce 2 tons of CO2/ha compared to the control model of removing straw from the field and reduced 12 tons of CO2/ha compared to the control model of continuous flooding applying the method of burying straw after harvest. Regarding output, there are also encouraging signs when many businesses have committed to purchasing all rice products produced in the pilot models.
Initiate a new production method suitable for the world's production and consumption trends
Mr. Tran Thanh Nam, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, said: To implement the Project, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has developed a Technical Process for High-Quality and Low-Emission Rice Production in the Mekong Delta and a Capacity Building Plan for Partners and Agricultural Cooperatives to Develop Value Chain Linkages to Implement the Project. In addition, the Ministry will coordinate with the provinces to review the current status of production areas in terms of infrastructure, production organization and farming methods. In particular, the current status of cooperatives in the Vietnam Sustainable Agriculture Transformation Project (VnSAT) for the period 2015 - 2022 will be reviewed. Currently, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is working with 12 localities and the World Bank to complete the loan project idea "Supporting infrastructure and techniques for high-quality and low-emission rice in the Mekong Delta".
“For the pilot models in Can Tho City, Dong Thap, Kien Giang, Tra Vinh and Soc Trang in 3 crops, the total initial input costs for production decreased by 10%-15% when the amount of seeds, fertilizers and irrigation water was reduced. Notably, the pilot rice yield reached 6.13-6.51 tons/ha compared to 5.89 tons/ha of the control model, the profit reached 21-25.8 million VND/ha, 1.3-6.2 million VND/ha higher,” said Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Tran Thanh Nam.
However, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development acknowledged that the implementation of the Project still faces certain difficulties as Vietnam is the first country to implement large-scale emission reduction on rice. The implementation activities are all new, with no precedents to refer to. Along with that, farmers' understanding of the Project is still limited, while some households still produce according to old practices...
Due to difficulties and obstacles in the implementation of the Project, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development proposed that the Government submit to the National Assembly a Resolution on piloting a number of specific policies on the use of ODA capital and preferential loans from foreign donors at the October 2024 session; proposed that the Government agree in principle to work with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on a loan of 270 million USD to support the implementation of the Project.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development also proposed that the Government agree in principle to allow this agency to propose medium-term budget capital for the period 2026 - 2030 for infrastructure that has not been invested in from the World Bank and ADB; continue to work with the World Bank and donors to expand the loan after 2027 to ensure sufficient capital for the implementation of the entire Project until 2030.
Recently, chairing a meeting to hear a report on the progress of the implementation of the Project on sustainable development of 1 million hectares of high-quality, low-emission rice cultivation associated with green growth in the Mekong Delta region by 2030, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang emphasized: The Project initiates a new production method in line with the world's production and consumption trends; creates a breakthrough shift in agricultural thinking in the Mekong Delta region, which is facing the impact of rapid and unpredictable climate change; contributes to improving the income and living standards of rice growers and businesses; helps Vietnam realize the goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050.
The project to develop 1 million hectares of high-quality rice for sustainable development was approved by the Prime Minister at the end of 2023, with the goal that by 2025, 12 provinces and cities in the Mekong Delta will grow 180,000 hectares of low-emission rice and pilot carbon credit for areas that meet the standards. By 2030, an additional 820,000 hectares of low-carbon rice will be expanded... The project is expected to reduce input costs by 30%, contributing to reducing rice production costs for farmers by about VND9,500 billion; the profit margin of rice growers will increase by 50%; and contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 10%.
Source: https://baodantoc.vn/co-hoi-moi-cua-nguoi-trong-lua-1722074581285.htm
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