06 May 2024, Vietnam: Department of Crop Production-Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (DCP-MARD), Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Can Tho City, and International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) officially launched its model rice fields under Vietnam’s One-Million-Ha program.

As part of Vietnam’s “One Million Hectares Sustainable Development Project for High-Quality and Low-Emission Rice Cultivation Associated with Green Growth (One Million Hectares Program)”, the Department of Crop Production-Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (DCP-MARD), Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Can Tho City, and International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) officially launched its model rice fields.

According to FAOSTAT, Vietnam produced over 42 million tons of rice in 2022 only– securing the food security not only of the country but of the Southeast Asian region. About 50% of this rice production is contributed by the Mekong River Delta (MRD). Because of the country’s steady progress towards intensifying rice production over the past decade, there is a need to make sure that its rice-based systems are developed sustainably. In agriculture, rice ranks as the second largest emitter of GHG yet, it also holds 36% of mitigation potential which is much higher compared to livestock (9%) and croplands (3%) (Roe et al., 2021; EPA, 2021).

Mr. Le Thanh Tung, Deputy Director of DCP, shared that the program aims to reorganize the entire rice industry in MRD to reduce production costs and GHG emissions, increase the value of rice products, and develop rural areas sustainably. Mr. Tung also said that the program would be forming cooperatives and farmer organizations closely linked with businesses to produce high-quality rice and increase income for farmers.

IRRI Scientist Dr. Nguyen Van Hung stated that the model fields will feature major innovations such as alternate wetting and drying (AWD), mechanized DSR combined fertilizer deep placement, site-specific nutrient management, integrated pest management, sustainable post-harvest, and rice straw management which are all part of the One-Million-Ha requirements for rice producers to achieve high quality and low emissions.

During the field demonstration, Dr. Hung introduced mechanized direct seeding combined with fertilizer deep placement technology and machines operated the field. The technology is a core feature of the One-Million-Ha program because it helps reduce seed rate, fertilizer use, and postharvest losses while increasing rice yield.

Mr. Nguyen Ngoc He, Vice Chairman of Can Tho City People’s Committee, shared that the city is pledging to make concerted efforts to successfully implement the One Million Hectares Program. He stated that they will strive to build a specialized high-quality rice production area with a scale of 38,000 hectares by 2025, and 50,000 hectares from 2026 to 2030.

In her special message, Dr. Joanna Kane-Potaka, Deputy Director General of IRRI, said that IRRI is taking this opportunity to learn from the farmers, the government, and all the partners involved.

Together with more than a hundred farmers and local stakeholders, Dr. Tran Thanh Nam, Deputy Minister of MARD, and Dr. Cao Duc Phat, Chair of the IRRI Board of Trustees, led the launching ceremony. Various stakeholders attended the event, including representatives from MARD and its attached agencies, Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development from the 12 provinces in the Mekong Delta, international organizations, academe, the private sector, farmer groups and cooperatives, and media.

Published Date: May 6, 2024