Overcoming the situation of ineffective rice land

Outstanding economic value

In recent years, Hanoi’s agricultural sector has promoted the introduction of new high-yield, high-quality rice varieties into cultivation. The proportion of advanced varieties currently accounts for about 80% of the rice variety structure produced in annual crops.

In addition to new rice varieties, the city also encourages mechanization in land preparation, planting and harvesting. Thanks to that, rice productivity has increased day by day. Rice quality has also been improved, meeting the food needs of consumers in the capital.

However, the economic value from rice cultivation is generally low compared to other crops. Therefore, in recent times, Hanoi has focused on promoting the conversion of ineffective rice fields.

Grapefruit growing area in My Duc district (Hanoi city).

According to the assessment of the Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Environment, the conversion of crop structure on rice land brings economic efficiency 5-6 times higher than traditional rice cultivation. More importantly, it helps increase income for farmers.

For example, the efficiency of converting to short-term vegetable cultivation gives an average cultivation value of 250 - 300 million VND/ha/year or more; meanwhile, the flower growing model achieves a cultivation value of 450 - 480 million VND/ha/year.

Some fruit tree production areas apply fruit wrapping techniques, cultivate according to VietGAP standards, follow organic direction..., produce high quality agricultural products, bringing value from 550 - 700 million VND/ha/year.

Changing the crop structure to suit the actual needs of the people also helps to overcome the situation of leaving uncultivated rice fields uncultivated for ineffective rice growing areas, especially in low-lying areas, frequently flooded areas and hilly areas with difficult irrigation water sources.

Ensuring practicality

The conversion of crop structure on rice land is an orientation in line with the desire to improve economic efficiency in crop production and the actual needs of farmers. This work is regularly carried out by Hanoi.

According to statistics from the Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Environment, the total area of converted crop structure on rice-growing land in the period of 2021 - 2024 is estimated at 3,334.4 hectares; of which 1,052.72 hectares have been converted to annual crops; 1,358.42 hectares have been converted to perennial crops; and 923.26 hectares have been converted to rice cultivation combined with aquaculture.

Deputy Director of Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Environment Nguyen Manh Phuong assessed that converting rice land brings economic efficiency many times higher than simple rice cultivation, contributing to increasing income for farmers.

This solution also meets the actual needs of the people, overcoming the situation of abandoned agricultural land without cultivation. In addition, it creates conditions for people to accumulate land, convert to growing vegetables, fruit trees, flowers and ornamental plants for high economic value.

According to Mr. Nguyen Manh Phuong, currently in Hanoi, there are still some rice fields located in the interspersed areas of projects that are clearing land, or near residential areas, industrial parks, roads under construction; agricultural land facing difficulties in water sources, or located in low-lying areas, often flooded... Therefore, the city will continue to study and propose to allow the conversion of ineffective rice fields.

The representative of the Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Environment also said that they are continuing to implement solutions to encourage economic sectors to participate in converting crop structures on rice land to ensure compliance with agricultural development practices and regulations of the Land Law and the Capital Law in 2024, in order to increase the efficiency of rice land use.

 

According to Decision No. 6713/QD-UBND of the Hanoi People's Committee on promulgating the plan to convert the structure of crops and livestock on rice-growing land in Hanoi in 2025, the area of rice-growing land converted to annual crops is 535.38 hectares; the area of rice-growing land converted to perennial crops is 180.75 hectares; the area of rice-growing land converted to rice cultivation combined with aquaculture is 561.21 hectares.

Source: https://kinhtedothi.vn/ha-noi-khac-phuc-tinh-trang-dat-trong-lua-kem-hieu-qua.html