The province has implemented 8 pilot models under the Project on Sustainable Development of 1 million hectares of high-quality, low-emission rice cultivation associated with green growth in the Mekong Delta by 2030
Transformation for adaptation
In recent years, rice production situation has had many positive changes. The annual sowing area has reached more than 500,000 hectares, with an output of more than 2.7 million tons. However, most of the area is still cultivated in the traditional way, with uneven productivity and quality, and low weather resistance.
To improve production efficiency and adapt to climate change, the provincial Department of Agriculture encourages farmers to convert the variety structure towards using high-quality, short-term rice varieties with good resistance to pests and diseases; promote the application of high technology, water-saving irrigation systems, and synchronous mechanization in the sowing and harvesting stages.
According to the Department of Agriculture and Environment, Long An is one of 12 provinces and cities in the Mekong Delta region implementing the Project on Sustainable Development of 1 million hectares of high-quality, low-emission rice cultivation associated with green growth in the Mekong Delta region by 2030.
In the 2024-2025 Winter-Spring crop, the Department coordinated with MTK Huu Thanh Joint Stock Company and Tu Sang One Member Co., Ltd. to implement 8 pilot models with an area of 121.4 hectares. Up to now, 6 models with an area of 101.3 hectares have been harvested in the districts of Tan Hung, Vinh Hung, Moc Hoa, Tan Thanh, Duc Hue, Thu Thua; 2 models in Moc Hoa district and Kien Tuong town are still being monitored.
Director of Dong Dung Cooperative (Tuyen Thanh Commune, Kien Tuong Town) - Nguyen Minh Tam informed: “The Cooperative has 4 out of 10 hectares of rice implementing the pilot model under the project. After a period of cultivation, the results are quite positive, the amount of seeds, fertilizers and pesticides are all reduced compared to traditional cultivation. The rice yield in the model is 8-9 tons/hectare, equal to the rice yield outside the model but the production cost is lower by 2-2.5 million VND/hectare”.
In addition, the cooperative is also ready to change the concept of cultivation, towards green production, for high productivity, avoiding burning straw in the fields, minimizing environmental pollution, taking advantage of straw sources to cover the roots of jackfruit and durian trees, using biodegradable products as fertilizer for crops.
Strengthening production chain linkage
Farmers harvest winter-spring 2024-2025 rice crop
Currently, the biggest bottleneck in rice production is still the issue of consumption linkage. This makes it difficult to regulate supply and demand, control quality and build the province's rice brand. To solve this problem, in recent times, the provincial Department of Agriculture has been promoting the linkage model (farmers - businesses - scientists - the State); at the same time, consolidating and developing new-style cooperatives.
Director of Go Gon Agricultural Cooperative (Hung Thanh commune, Tan Hung district) - Truong Huu Tri shared: "The cooperative currently has 120 members producing on 464 hectares, participating in the production - consumption linkage model with enterprises purchasing rice for export. However, we are still limited in financial capacity and post-harvest preservation equipment".
According to experts, when farmers participate in the value chain from input to output, the value of the product will be significantly increased, helping stabilize production and limit the situation of "good harvest, low price".
At the same time, one of the reasons why Long An rice has not achieved the expected value is that the deep processing rate is still low, as the province mainly exports raw rice with low added value. Therefore, developing the rice processing industry is a strategic step.
According to Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment - Dinh Thi Phuong Khanh, in recent times, the province has planned raw material areas and prioritized attracting investment in factories processing high-quality rice, specialty rice and organic rice. At the same time, the system of warehouses, logistics and distribution centers has also received investment attention to reduce post-harvest losses.
In addition to production and processing, building brands and expanding consumption markets are decisive factors for the sustainable development of the rice industry. Long An rice is now present in more than 30 countries, but mainly under the brand name of the exporting enterprise.
Along with that, environmental issues in rice production are also a big challenge. In particular, burning straw after harvest, overusing chemical fertilizers and pesticides have affected the quality of soil, water resources and air.
"The provincial Department of Agriculture is coordinating with related sectors to deploy a model of treating straw with microorganisms; encouraging farmers to use organic fertilizers instead of chemical fertilizers. The goal by 2030 is that at least 50% of the rice growing area will use environmentally friendly farming methods" - Ms. Dinh Thi Phuong Khanh informed.
Developing the sustainable rice industry is not simply about increasing output but also about harmonizing the economy, society and environment so that farmers can have guaranteed income, businesses are profitable, and consumers have access to quality, safe products./.
Reported by Bui Tung
\Translated by NT