Collaborating with Japan to develop high-quality, low-emission rice-growing areas in the Mekong Delta.

(CTO) - On December 12th, a conference promoting Japanese FDI investment in the Sustainable Development Project of 1 million hectares of high-quality, low-emission rice cultivation linked to green growth in the Mekong Delta by 2030 (the 1 million hectare rice project) was held in Can Tho City. Many localities and businesses in the Mekong Delta region expressed their desire for Japanese businesses and partners to strengthen cooperation and investment with Vietnam in promoting the application of new machinery and technologies and developing green credit sources to effectively implement the 1 million hectare rice project. In particular, cooperation in applying modern machinery and technologies for collecting, processing, and developing the trade of rice straw is crucial to enhancing the rice value chain. Cooperation in building factories for deep processing of products from the rice value chain and developing rice exports to the Japanese market is also important.

Mr. Nguyen Do Anh Tuan, Director of the International Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, and Mr. Tran Chi Hung, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Can Tho City, chaired the conference.

The conference was jointly organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MARD), the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and the People's Committee of Can Tho City, in a hybrid format combining in-person and online participation. Mr. Nguyen Do Anh Tuan, Director of the International Cooperation Department of MARD, and Mr. Tran Chi Hung, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Can Tho City, chaired the conference.

Delegates participated in exchanges and discussions at the conference.

According to Mr. Nguyen Do Anh Tuan, this conference is a significant event in the process of promoting investment, science, and technology cooperation between Vietnam and Japan, contributing to building a modern, low-emission, and sustainable ecological agriculture in the Mekong Delta. The conference aims to strongly promote investment, technology, and trade cooperation between Vietnam and Japan in developing high-quality, low-emission rice-growing areas in the Mekong Delta. It focuses on key areas such as increasing the participation of Japanese businesses, investors, and scientific and technological organizations in production, processing, trade, mechanization, and carbon credit markets. It also aims to connect businesses from both countries in applying AI, Big Data, MRV systems, and smart sensor-based land, water, and air pollution management. Furthermore, it focuses on developing a circular economy , processing by-products, strengthening cooperation in training, developing rice cooperatives, and human resources.

Rice products from various units and businesses were displayed and introduced at the conference.

Harvesting rice at a high-quality, low-emission rice production model in Thanh Phu commune, Can Tho city.

Speaking at the conference, Mr. Tran Chi Hung emphasized that the conference is taking place in the context of Vietnam's agricultural sector undergoing a strong transformation towards green agriculture – low emissions, fulfilling the national commitment to Net Zero by 2050. The Mekong Delta – considered the rice granary of the country – is being significantly impacted by climate change and urgently needs to innovate production methods, modernize the value chain, and enhance competitiveness. In this transformation process, international cooperation plays a crucial role, especially cooperation with Japan – a country with advanced agriculture, efficient management, high technology, and leading quality standards. Can Tho believes that the conference will bring many opportunities for cooperative development in the agricultural sector of the Mekong Delta and the whole country. Through this, cooperation will be expanded, and a sustainable rice value chain will be built, aiming for green development in the Mekong Delta region.

Text and photos: KHANH TRUNG

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/hop-tac-voi-nhat-ban-phat-trien-vung-lua-chat-luong-cao-phat-thai-thap-tai-dbscl-a195362.html