On May 8, in Vinh Gia border commune, the launch ceremony of Vinh Gia Floating Rice Cooperative and the signing of cooperation agreement under the "4 houses" model. Attending were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Minh Tam - Deputy Director of Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Phuong Thao - Vice Rector of An Giang University - Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City.
Also attending were Mr. Tran Chi Vien - Provincial Party Committee Member, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Party Agencies of An Giang province; Mr. Nguyen Van Cop - Provincial Party Committee Member, Vice Chairman of the Provincial Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee, along with representatives of leaders of departments, branches, government and people growing floating rice in the locality. In particular, there was the presence of Professor Ishikawa Ryuji - Hirosaki University (Japan).
At the ceremony, Vinh Gia Floating Crop Cooperative was launched, chaired by Mr. Duong Minh Giang as Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director. The event is considered an important step to restore and develop the floating rice crop area - a unique favorable farming model of the upstream region of the Mekong Delta. This is a rice variety that has the ability to grow according to floodwater levels, once popular in the Long Xuyen Quadrangle region but has declined sharply due to the pressure of intensive high-yield rice cultivation and a closed dyke system.
According to the cooperation orientation, the parties not only aim to restore the area of floating rice cultivation but also build a multi-value development model including clean agricultural products, ecotourism and biodiversity conservation. For the Cooperative to truly grow stronger, the connection of the 4-House model is indispensable. Therefore, right at the ceremony, the "Signing ceremony of strategic cooperation contract linking 4 Houses" was implemented as an important part, establishing a legal and commercial corridor for the project. In this linkage chain, Vinh Gia Commune People's Committee plays a role in supporting policies, planning planting areas and investing in essential infrastructure such as electricity, water, and transportation to create a foundation for sustainable development.
Vinh Gia Floating Rice Cooperative is the unit directly organizing production according to clean standards, developing OCOP products, managing raw material areas and implementing experiential tourism activities in the floating rice fields.
The scientific block includes An Giang University and the Vietnam Center for Pure Vegetable Research, responsible for restoring traditional rice varieties, building favorable farming processes and transferring techniques to farmers.
Meanwhile, O Plant-Based Food Joint Stock Company (OPB) plays the role of connecting the market, committing to consume products at stable prices, while building a brand and raising the value of Vinh Gia floating rice in the high-end segment.
According to participating units, this model brings many economic and environmental advantages thanks to significantly reducing fertilizer and pesticide costs, while the commercial value of floating rice is currently 2-3 times higher than ordinary rice. In addition, maintaining floating rice areas also contributes to preserving many precious rice varieties such as Nang Tay Dum, Nang Choi and preserving the typical natural ecosystem of the Long Xuyen Quadrangle region.