Vietnam is one of the leading rice exporters in the world, thanks to its fertile land and favorable weather conditions for rice cultivation. However, with growing concerns about sustainability and the quality of rice production, Vietnam has shifted its focus towards high-quality, sustainable rice production. By adopting modern technologies, encouraging eco-friendly practices, and supporting small-scale farmers, Vietnam is pioneering a new era of rice cultivation that benefits both the environment and the economy. In this article, we will explore Vietnam’s journey towards sustainable development of high-quality rice and the unique challenges and solutions that have made it a success story.
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Le Minh Hoan, recently hosted a workshop titled ‘The project of sustainable development of 1 million hectares of high-quality rice associated with green growth in the Mekong Delta’ on 7 April in Vi Thanh city, Hau Giang province. The project aims to tackle the limitations within the Vietnamese rice industry and promote sustainable production practices while simultaneously boosting farmers’ income.
While the rice industry in Vietnam has witnessed positive changes in all aspects from production to trade, the current industry still faces certain limitations that need to be addressed to achieve sustainable and efficient production. The Minister stated that transforming the rice production system would be a challenging task but necessary to improve farmers’ income without depleting resources or causing environmental degradation.
The proposed project will be implemented from 2024 in 12 provinces of the Mekong Delta and is expected to encompass approximately 1 million hectares by 2030, with an estimated output of 13 million tons of rice. The project aims to establish a specialized area for high-quality rice production and apply sustainability standards to adapt to climate change, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance the production and business system’s efficiency, increase rice growers’ income, ensure national food security, stabilize society, and elevate the reputation of Vietnamese rice products in the global market.
The project’s objectives will be achieved by organizing the production system along a value chain to promote sustainable rice cultivation, recycling rice straw to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and utilizing technology to enhance productivity and encourage farmers to sustainably manage their farms. In addition, the project aims to improve the post-harvest stage by developing better storage facilities and establishing collection and processing systems.
The proposed project will effectively shift the Vietnamese rice industry’s traditional model towards a sustainable, innovative approach that incorporates modern technology methods and sustainable practices to promote efficient production while lowering the risks of resource depletion and environmental degradation.
Another crucial aspect of this project is its potential to significantly increase farmers’ income since their traditional methods have previously hindered their earnings due to inadequate knowledge of modern rice production methods. The proposed project aims to educate and train farmers on sustainable rice cultivation methods, creating open discussions on best practices and reducing the use of fertilizers and pesticides.
In conclusion, the proposed ‘Project of sustainable development of 1 million hectares of high-quality rice associated with green growth in the Mekong Delta’ is a crucial step towards transforming the traditional Vietnamese rice production system into a sustainable, efficient, and environmentally friendly industry. With the implementation of sustainable practices, farmers’ income will be improved without exacerbating climate change, polluting the environment, or degrading natural resources.
