Science and technology pave the way for the 1 million hectare 'green' rice project

Model of 1 million hectares of high-quality, low-emission rice of Tien Thuan Cooperative ( Can Tho City ) - Photo: VGP/LS

Farm mechanization, circular economic model

Within the framework of the Project "Sustainable development of 1 million hectares of high-quality, low-emission rice cultivation associated with green growth in the Mekong Delta by 2030" (1 million hectares of rice project), the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) plays the role of key technical partner, coordinating with the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and localities to develop and implement the Project.

Accordingly, IRRI has developed a technical process for cultivating high-quality, low-emission rice, which is being applied in the 1 million hectare rice project for the entire Mekong Delta region; supporting the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment in developing tools and piloting the implementation of a monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) system to monitor and measure the effectiveness of emission reduction.

Since 2024, IRRI has coordinated the implementation of 7 pilot models in Kien Giang, Can Tho, Tra Vinh, Soc Trang, Dong Thap provinces (each model covers 50 hectares), with some key supports, such as: Training on technical farming processes for 1 million hectares, improving efficiency and reducing emissions, such as applying alternate wetting and drying (AWD) combined with sensor-based real-time water level measurement technology, row seeding technology combined with burying fertilizer, correct fertilization, integrated pest management, harvesting, and straw management in the direction of circular agriculture .

Speaking to the Government Electronic Newspaper, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Huong, Deputy Director of the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection (Ministry of Agriculture and Environment) said that the 1 million hectare rice project has so far recorded positive steps forward in both technical aspects and the companionship, participation and support from many partners - from farmers, private enterprises, policy-making agencies to international organizations.

According to Ms. Thu Huong, IRRI is supporting the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment in developing technical processes for the Project, and at the same time developing and applying high-quality, low-emission rice cultivation technologies, such as using improved rice varieties, mechanized sowing combined with fertilization, optimal water management, balanced and regionally specialized nutrient management... In addition, IRRI also supports cooperatives in building a circular economic model using post-harvest straw, contributing to increasing farmers' income and protecting the environment.

"With the synchronous support from IRRI, along with the participation of ministries, branches, local authorities, businesses and people, we believe that the Project will be effectively implemented, contributing to transforming rice production towards increasing farmers' income, ensuring quality - green - sustainability, while affirming the position of Vietnamese rice in the international market," said Ms. Huong.

Dr. Robert Caudwell, IRRI Representative in Vietnam - Photo: VGP/LS

Responding to the Government Electronic Newspaper, Dr. Robert Caudwell, IRRI Representative in Vietnam, assessed: The 1 million hectare rice project is an important initiative not only for Vietnam's agriculture but also for global food security. Within the framework of this project, with a team of experienced international scientists, IRRI has been supporting the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment to develop a technical process for 1 million hectares along with high-quality, low-emission rice technologies such as seeds, mechanized sowing combined with fertilization, optimal water management, balanced and specialized regional nutrient management...

Results from current pilot models show benefits including: 30-50% reduction in seed quantity; 30-40% reduction in nitrogen fertilizer (N)/ha; 3-4 times reduction in pesticide use; 30-40% savings in irrigation water; productivity increases by more than 5%; profits increase by over 5 million VND/ha; CO₂e emissions decrease by an average of 6 tons/ha; almost all rice produced from the model is guaranteed to be purchased at a price 200-300 VND/kg higher than the market price.

Reduce costs, adapt to climate change

The results of applying the production processes show that in Tra Vinh, the total cost of rice production in the model area is 14% lower than the cost outside the model, but the profit in the model is 20% higher than outside the model. In Soc Trang and Dong Thap, the estimated total cost of rice production in the model area is 20% lower than the cost outside the model and the profit in the model is 12% higher than outside the model...

For mechanization and straw treatment, we have promoted support for comprehensive solutions such as field mechanization with the application of seeding machines combined with precise fertilization, reducing the amount of seeds and fertilizers used, increasing productivity and reducing production costs.

At the same time, post-harvest straw treatment has been popularized with models in the direction of circular agriculture, increasing income, reducing emissions and being environmentally friendly, such as producing organic fertilizer from straw using mechanization integrated with biotechnology, growing straw mushrooms...

These solutions not only reduce emissions but also create added value, helping farmers have additional income from agricultural by-products.

For sustainable development, the 1 million hectare rice project not only focuses on increasing rice productivity and quality but also focuses on adapting to climate change - a major challenge for rice production in the Mekong Delta, developing risk maps and adaptation plans for crop production. This tool has been effectively implemented in 5 regions of Vietnam, including the Mekong Delta.

In addition, actively crossbreeding and selecting rice varieties that are resistant to adverse conditions such as drought, salinity and waterlogging, contributing to enhancing the adaptability of the Vietnamese rice industry.

Ms. Pham Thi Minh Hieu, Head of the Department of Cultivation and Plant Protection of Can Tho City, commented: The results of implementing the sustainable rice production model on an area of ​​50 hectares, applying advanced techniques, such as sowing by machine combined with burying fertilizer, alternating wet and dry water management (AWD), balanced fertilization according to crop needs and the rice cultivation process "1 must, 5 reductions" (must use certified rice varieties; reduce seeds, reduce water, reduce fertilizer, reduce pesticides, reduce post-harvest losses)... yield increased by nearly 0.7 tons/ha, costs reduced by about 1 million VND/ha, most importantly, greenhouse gas emissions decreased by 2 to 12 tons of CO₂/ha. Enterprises purchased rice at a higher price than the market, showing the potential to form a sustainable value chain.

Currently, the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Can Tho has coordinated with IRRI to assess the level of technical application of farmers to have timely support and reward policies, contributing to promoting green farming. In the coming time, Can Tho will continue to replicate the model, expand training and strengthen market connections, both to increase income for people and to contribute to implementing Vietnam's commitment to reduce emissions in agriculture.

Enterprises are awarded Certificates of the right to use the green Vietnamese rice brand, low emissions for qualified enterprises, April 2025 - Photo: VGP/LS

'Green Vietnamese rice, low emissions'

One of the highlights of the Project is to build a green Vietnamese rice brand. Accordingly, IRRI and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development identify long-term cooperation pillars with the development of a high-quality, low-emission rice production model; strengthening the rice value chain with in-depth analysis and digital tools; supporting evidence-based policies and a quantitative emission reduction (MRV) calculation system; building a regional technical center to support cooperatives and farmers; and training to improve the capacity of agricultural extension officers.

Accordingly, IRRI has also supported VIETRISA to build the low-emission green Vietnamese rice brand and grant usage certificates to businesses participating in the 1 million hectare rice project.

Referring to the effectiveness of technical application in implementing the Project, Associate Professor, Dr. Bui Ba Bong, Chairman of the Vietnam Rice Industry Association (VIETRISA) said: Currently, implementing the 1 million hectare rice project, IRRI has closely coordinated with the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, VIETRISA and partners in developing technical processes for producing high-quality and low-emission rice, straw management processes to reduce emissions according to the circular principle and successfully implementing pilot models in many localities. Many techniques have been effectively applied such as mechanization of sowing and planting, alternating flooding and drying techniques, straw management, quantitative calculation of emission reduction (MRV)...

As a direct participant in the implementation of the Project, Mr. Nguyen Hong Thien, Director of Tu Sang LLC, said: During the implementation of the 1 million hectare rice project, the company has accompanied IRRI to provide mechanization solutions suitable for actual farming conditions.

These devices not only help reduce the amount of seeds and save fertilizer, but also contribute to shortening cultivation time, improving productivity and economic efficiency for farmers. This mechanization process helps significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions - a core goal of the Project towards green and sustainable agriculture.

"We are committed to continuing to accompany, innovate and actively contribute to the modernization of the rice industry, helping to improve the value of the production chain, people's lives and the position of Vietnamese rice in the international market," said Mr. Thien.

Mr. Cao Tien Khai, Chairman of Tien Thuan Cooperative (Can Tho City) shared: When the 1 million hectare rice project was implemented, we further realized the benefits from applying techniques in production and practicing circular agriculture today.

Applying the model has reduced 20-30% of fertilizer, reduced 10-15% of input material costs, while profits have increased from 1.3-6.2 million/ha. At the same time, it contributes to environmental protection, reducing CO₂ emissions from 2-6 tons/ha.

Le Son

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/khoa-hoc-cong-nghe-mo-duong-cho-de-an-1-trieu-ha-lua-xanh-102250515145647338.htm