This is the first rice crop that farmer Nguyen Cong Huong in Long Duc commune (Long Phu district, Soc Trang province) has participated in a pilot project to cultivate high-quality rice and reduce emissions.
After 105 days, his 2 hectares of rice were ready for harvest, with a yield of nearly 7 tons/ha and was purchased by the enterprise at 10,800 VND/kg, after deducting costs, the profit was over 50 million VND/ha.
“Production costs are about 20 million VND/ha. Total input costs are reduced by 10-15% due to reduced seeds, fertilization, and pesticide spraying. As a result, profits increase by more than 12% compared to production areas outside the model," said Mr. Huong.
Mr. Truong Van Hung - Director of Hung Loi Agricultural Cooperative (Long Phu district, Soc Trang province ) said that in the Summer-Autumn crop of 2024, the Cooperative has 50 hectares of pilot high-quality rice cultivation, reducing emissions with 46 participating households, the rice variety selected for cultivation is ST25 . Currently being harvested with a yield of 6.5 - 7 tons/ha. The total output is about 325 tons. The enterprise has signed a purchase contract for rice at a price of 10,800 VND/kg, about 2,300 VND/kg higher than the same period last year.
“This model has been effective in reducing production costs, increasing profits and has also been purchased by businesses. This is the motivation for us to continue implementing it in the upcoming Winter-Spring crop,” said Mr. Hung.
Similarly, many farmers of Tien Thuan Agricultural and Service Cooperative (Vinh Thanh District, Can Tho City) who participate in growing rice to reduce emissions are also guaranteed by the enterprise at a price 300 VND/kg higher than the market price. As a result, the profit is 3-5 million VND/ha higher than outside the model.
Farmer Pham Viet Hung (Can Tho City) said he has 2.6 hectares participating in the pilot model. The yield reached nearly 6.5 tons/ha (7% higher than outside the model), the quality of rice was improved and was purchased by businesses at the price of commercial rice at 7,000 VND/kg and seed rice at 7,500 VND/kg.
Mr. Nguyen Van Nhut - General Director of Hoang Minh Nhut Company - informed that the company has purchased more than 300 tons of rice from Tien Thuan Agricultural and Service Cooperative. According to the assessment, the amount of rice brought back meets the quality desired by customers.
According to the Department of Crop Production - Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, in the Summer-Autumn and Autumn-Winter crop of 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 of high-quality rice cultivation, reducing emissions, with an area of 336 hectares.
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 6.4 tons/ha, 400kg/ha higher than the average yield outside the model, with a rice output of 1,262 tons.
In the 2024 Autumn-Winter crop, 3 models (Kien Giang, Dong Thap, Tra Vinh) have sown 140 hectares, with an estimated average yield of nearly 6.4 tons/ha and output of 157 tons.
According to Mr. Le Thanh Tung - Deputy Director of the Department of Crop Production - Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, all models have associated enterprises to purchase rice, some models are purchased at a higher price than outside by 100 - 150 VND/kg. Profit is 12 - 20% higher than outside the model.
“Most farmers have increased their income from over 4 million to about 7.5 million/ha due to increased rice productivity and higher rice prices. Typically, in Can Tho City, farmers increased by about 4 million/ha, Tra Vinh increased by about 7 million/ha, Soc Trang increased by about 5 million, and in Dong Thap, it was about 2.5 million. This is a very attractive number,” said Mr. Tung.
