On September 4, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) in coordination with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and the People's Committee of Soc Trang province held a conference to review the implementation of the first 7 pilot models of the Project on sustainable development of 1 million hectares of high-quality rice , emission reduction associated with green growth in the Mekong Delta region by 2030 (Project).
According to the Department of Crop Production - Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, in the Summer-Autumn and Autumn-Winter crop 2024, it has coordinated with 5 provinces and cities (Can Tho City, Tra Vinh, Soc Trang, Dong Thap, Kien Giang) to organize the implementation of 7 pilot models.
In the 2024 Summer-Autumn crop, 3 provinces and cities (Can Tho City, Tra Vinh, Soc Trang) have implemented 4 models with an area of 196 hectares. The estimated yield is 64.52 tons/ha, higher than the average yield outside the model by 4.63 tons/ha, the rice output with reduced emissions is 1,262 tons. The profit is 12 - 20% higher than outside the model.
In the 2024 Autumn-Winter crop, 3 models (Kien Giang, Dong Thap, Tra Vinh) have sown 140 hectares, with an estimated average yield of 63.34 quintals/ha and an output of 157 tons, expected to be harvested from mid-September to the end of October 2024.
Input costs are reduced by 10-15%. Including a 40-50% reduction in seed quantity; a 30-40% reduction in nitrogen fertilizer; a 3-4 reduction in pesticide spraying; and a 30-40% reduction in irrigation water. The production cost of 1 kg of rice is reduced by 7-20% (from 252 VND/kg to 822 VND/kg).
Particularly reduced from 7,610 kg to 12 tons of CO2 equivalent/ha compared to outside the model.
All models have associated enterprises to purchase rice. Some models have enterprises signing contracts to purchase rice from households producing in the model at a price 100 - 150 VND/kg higher than outside.
Speaking at the Conference, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Tran Thanh Nam emphasized that the main goal of the Project is to reduce production costs and increase profits for farmers. And the 7 pilot models above have all proven to be effective.
According to Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam, another encouraging result is that farmers believe in and follow sustainable farming processes. Cooperatives have played a good role in linking, and local authorities have shown interest and support. This is the basis for expanding the area of high-quality rice cultivation and reducing emissions in the coming time.
