Deputy PM urges implementation of one million hectare of high-quality rice project

A rice field in the pilot model for one million hectares of high-quality rice project in Cần Thơ City. — VNA/VNS Photo Thu Hiền

HÀ NỘI — Deputy Prime Minister Trần Lưu Quang has asked for the acceleration of the implementation of a project to develop one million hectares of specialised rice cultivation with high quality and low emissions associated with green growth in the Mekong Delta region.

Speaking at a meeting in Hà Nội on Wednesday, discussing the project’s progress, Quang emphasised that it creates a new production method suitable for the world’s production and consumption trends and generates a breakthrough in agriculture thinking in the Mekong Delta, which is facing the effects of rapid and unpredictable climate change.

This is expected to improve the income and living conditions of farmers and businesses while helping Việt Nam realise its goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

Agreeing with the opinions on the need to have the engagement of authorities at the central level as well as localities, farmers and businesses in implementing the project, the deputy PM required the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) to retain a coordinating role and and report to the PM on issues beyond that.

Regarding borrowing loans from the World Bank (WB), the ministry must clarify investment items and work contents to ensure consistency, no duplication and no overlap with other projects underway in the region, Quang added.

Deputy Prime Minister Trần Lưu Quang addresses the meeting on Wednesday. — VNA/VNS Photo An Đăng

MARD Deputy Minister Trần Thanh Nam told the meeting that to carry out the project, from now to 2030, his ministry has established a steering committee to oversee the project implementation.

This committee includes representatives from the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the State Bank of Vietnam, the World Bank and 12 Mekong Delta localities.

The ministry has developed a technical process for producing high-quality, low-emission rice in the region and a plan to enhance capabilities for partners and agricultural cooperatives in developing value chain linkages under the project.

It has also collaborated with localities to review the current status of production areas, infrastructure, production organisation and farming practices and to assess the situation of cooperatives in the Việt Nam – Sustainable Agriculture Transformation Project in the 2015-2022 period.

Nam said the MARD is currently working with the WB and the 12 localities to finalise a loan project for infrastructure and technical support for high-quality, low-emission rice in the Mekong Delta region.

According to the official, the ministry has implemented seven pilot models in Cần Thơ City and the provinces of Đồng Tháp, Kiên Giang, Trà Vinh and Sóc Trăng.

Initial assessments show that the rice farming model, during the 2024 Summer-Autumn crop in Cần Thơ, has yielded positive results.

Input costs, including those for seed, fertilisers, and irrigation water, have decreased by 10-15 per cent.

The pilot model’s yield ranged from 6.13-6.51 tonnes per hectare, compared to 5.89 tonnes per hectare under usual practices. Its profits reached VNĐ21-25.8 million (US$830-1,020) per hectare, surpassing the normal model by VNĐ1.3-6.2 million ($50-245) per hectare.

Moreover, the pilot model contributed to reducing CO2 emissions by two tonnes per hectare compared to the model that removes rice straw from the fields and by 12 tonnes per hectare compared to the practice of rice straw burial after harvesting.

As Việt Nam is the first country in the world to have a large-scale project on rice production towards sustainable growth and emissions reduction, it is facing a lot of difficulties, Nam said, proposing the government submit to the National Assembly a resolution to pilot certain specific policies regarding the use of official development assistance (ODA) and concessional loans from foreign donors during the legislature’s plenary session in October.

Additionally, the ministry recommended that the government allow the ministry to collaborate with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to prepare a project for a $270 million loan and to support the implementation of the project. — VNA/VNS