Launching the 1 million hectare high-quality rice project - a milestone marking the beginning of sustainable agriculture

Updated date: 06/18/2024 06:02:22

DTO - Dong Thap held a launching ceremony for 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" (referred to as the Project) which is considered a milestone, marking a new beginning for people, businesses, and cooperatives to join hands in building a sustainable agriculture .

Units, cooperatives and enterprises signed an agreement on cooperation principles in implementing the Project.

Milestones mark action steps

Mr. Nguyen Van Vu Minh - Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) of Dong Thap province said that the launch of the Project is considered a milestone for the determination of farmers, businesses, and cooperatives to work together to build a sustainable rice industry chain. "If the solutions in the Project are implemented well, it will not only help increase the value of Dong Thap rice but also create a sustainable rice production environment for future generations," Mr. Nguyen Van Vu Minh shared.

Mr. Le Thanh Tung - Deputy Director of the Department of Crop Production, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development said that the world is increasingly interested in the value of rice grains, that value lies not only in the cultivation techniques but also in the responsibility of the producer. With the Project of 1 million hectares of high-quality, low-emission rice associated with green growth in the Mekong Delta by 2030, in addition to the goal of reorganizing rice production in the whole region. The Project also aims to create a sustainable rice production environment, creating a habit of environmentally responsible rice production for farmers through reducing fertilizers and pesticides, thereby creating quality products to meet market demand.

According to Mr. Le Thanh Tung, the Project is important not only for farmers in the Mekong Delta, but also for the determination to build a sustainable agriculture of the country. Therefore, the implementing entities need to clearly understand this issue in order to act together correctly. A key factor leading to the success of the Project is that farmers must participate in cooperatives, this is the only long-term solution for us to be able to organize rice production. Participating in cooperatives with a large enough area will be accompanied by investment in infrastructure, transportation, and conditions to reduce production costs on a large scale.

Mr. Le Thanh Tung - Deputy Director of the Department of Crop Production, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development discussed the need to produce rice to increase value.

Farmers benefit

Mr. Le Van Chan - Deputy Head of the Department of Cultivation and Plant Protection of Dong Thap province said that Dong Thap is ready to implement the Project in the province. The Project will be implemented in cooperatives that have implemented the VnSAT and WB9 models and qualified cooperatives. In the plan, by 2025, Dong Thap province will implement the Project in 7 rice-growing districts and cities of the province including: Tan Hong, Hong Ngu, Tam Nong, Thanh Binh, Cao Lanh, Thap Muoi and Hong Ngu city, with a total area of nearly 70,000 hectares. Particularly by 2030, in addition to the 7 localities mentioned above, the Project will be implemented in Lap Vo district, with a total area of 161,252 hectares.

At the launching ceremony of the Project, delegates and farmers watched a demonstration of mechanization in rice sowing at the field of Hamlet 4, Lang Bien commune, Thap Muoi district.

As the first cooperative in Dong Thap province to launch the Project with an area of 50 hectares, Mr. Nguyen Van Hung - Director of Thang Loi Agricultural Service Cooperative, My Dong commune, Thap Muoi district shared that the application of scientific and technical advances in the fields has long been implemented very effectively by the cooperative and has received the support of the people, most recently the SRP rice production model, recording production diaries. With the existing experience and the high determination of the members, the cooperative is determined to effectively implement the Project.

Cluster sowing and buried fertilization equipment is applied in the field of Hamlet 4, Lang Bien commune, Thap Muoi district.

According to the initial commitment between Thang Loi Agricultural Service Cooperative and service providers, in the autumn-winter crop of 2024, the Cooperative will implement a pilot model with an area of 50 hectares, with 24 households. Participating in production, households will be supported with 50% of the cost of materials such as: seeds, fertilizers, Trichoderma to decompose straw, mechanization applications (cluster seeders/aerodynamic row seeders), spraying drones... and at the same time, implement output linkage.

Demonstration of mechanized land preparation process at the field implementing the Project

Attending the Project launching ceremony, Mr. Huynh Thanh Man - Chairman of Tam Viet Hoi Quan, Thuong Thoi Tien town, Hong Ngu district, said: “Through the Project launching ceremony, I saw the determination of the locality through a specific model. As a farmer, I am also very excited and confident in the effectiveness of the Project. As one of the units selected to implement the Project, farmers in the Association are all ready and confident to implement the Project in the coming time”.

It can be said that the launch of the 1 million hectares of high-quality rice project in the province is considered the first step for sustainable rice production. To successfully implement it, there is still a lot of work to do, but with the response and determination of the locality, people and businesses in the initial steps of implementation, we believe that the project will create a sustainable step for the rice industry in the coming time...

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