Launching 1 million hectares of high-quality, low-emission rice project

Households participating in the 1 million-hectare of high-quality, low-emission rice project associated with green growth in the Mekong Delta by 2030 must apply one of the sustainable rice farming processes. (In the picture: Farmers apply sowing machines in rice production)

A starting milestone

Deputy Director of the Department of Crop Production (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) - Le Thanh Tung said that the world is increasingly interested in the value of rice grains. That value lies not only in farming techniques but also in the responsibility of the producer. Project for Sustainable Development of 1 million hectares specializing in high-quality, low-emission rice cultivation associated with green growth in the Mekong Delta until 2030, in addition to the goal of reorganizing rice production in the entire region, also creates a sustainable rice production environment, creating environmentally responsible rice production habits for farmers by reducing the use of fertilizers and drugs, creating quality products to meet market needs.

“The project is important not only for Mekong Delta farmers but also for the country's determination to build sustainable agriculture. Therefore, implementing entities need to be clearly aware of this issue to act properly. The key to the success is that farmers must participate in cooperatives. This is the only long-term solution to organize rice production. Joining a cooperative 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 added.

According to Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development - Nguyen Thanh Truyen, the launch of the project is considered a starting milestone for the determination of farmers, businesses, and cooperatives to build a sustainable commodity rice chain. If the solutions in the project are implemented well, it will not only help increase the value of rice grains but also create a sustainable rice production environment for future generations.

According to the Provincial Department of Crop Production, Plant Protection and Agricultural Product Quality Management, currently, the Provincial Agriculture sector is preparing to implement the project in the province. According to the implementation plan, by 2030, 125,000 hectares of specialized high-quality and low-emission rice cultivation areas will be formed in the province associated with reorganizing the production system according to the value chain, applying sustainable farming processes to increase value, ensure sustainable development of the rice industry, improve production and business efficiency, income and life of rice growers, protect the environment, adapt to climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to implementing Vietnam's international commitments.

Specifically, the project is implemented in 7 districts of the province: Tan Hung, Vinh Hung, Moc Hoa, Tan Thanh, Thanh Hoa, Duc Hue, Thu Thua and Kien Tuong town. It will be implemented in 2 phases. Phase 1 (2024-2025) focuses on consolidating the existing areas of the Vietnam Sustainable Agriculture Transformation Project (VnSAT) in the province to 60,000 hectares. Phase 2 (2026-2030), specifically identifies the focus area to develop high-quality specialized rice areas to reduce new emissions outside the VnSAT area and will expand an additional 65,000 hectares towards the goal of 125,000 hectares specializing in high-quality and low-emission rice cultivation in the province.

Determined to deploy and implement

Tan Hung district has an annual rice cultivation area of ​​more than 36,500 hectares with an output of more than 510,000 tons. Participating in the project, the district aims to have 15,000 hectares of high-quality, low-emission specialized rice by 2025 and 31,310 hectares by 2030.

Deputy Head of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Tan Hung district - Phan Van Ni informed: Based on the criteria for selecting areas to participate in the project such as having a minimum continuous area of ​​50 hectares; More than 20% of rice cultivation areas have applied one of the sustainable rice cultivation processes; More than 70% of rice cultivation areas have used certified rice varieties or equivalent; 100% of households commit to collecting straw from fields for processing and reuse; More than 30% of the area has been linked to businesses; More than 40% of households in the area have been trained in sustainable rice farming processes; etc, the district chose Go Gon Agricultural Cooperative (Hung Thanh commune, Tan Hung district) as the unit to deploy and implement.

Director of Go Gon Agricultural Cooperative - Truong Huu Tri shared that the application of scientific and technical advances in the field has long been implemented effectively by the cooperative and has received the support of the people. With current experience and the high determination of its members, the cooperative is determined to effectively implement the project.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Truyen said: "The important goal of the project is to reorganize rice production in a sustainable direction, forming key areas for large-scale commercial rice production with systematic investment and value chain, thereby improving the value of rice grains and increasing income for rice farmers. At the same time, the project also aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, be environmentally friendly, and associated with green growth.

To effectively implement the project, the Provincial Agriculture sector requires localities to base on the Project's criteria, identify areas that meet the criteria, register and develop implementation plans; arrange funding to complete initial conditions to implement the project in 2024 and the following years. In addition, localities also need to proactively advise and propose mechanisms and policies to attract investment from businesses and support cooperatives to participate in the project, aiming to develop the sustainable production value chain”.

It can be said that the launch of the project in the province is considered the first step for sustainable rice production. There is still a lot of work that needs to be done, but with the response and determination of localities, people, and businesses in the initial steps of implementation, Long An believes that the project will be effective, promoting the stated purposes and meanings./.

By Bui Tung - Translated by Q. Thien

Source: https://baolongan.vn/khoi-dong-de-an-1-trieu-hecta-lua-chat-luong-cao-phat-thai-thap-a178573.html