To successfully implement the 1 million hectare rice project, we must breathe life into the rice plant.

On the afternoon of October 15th, in Can Tho City, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired a conference to discuss solutions to promote the implementation of the Project "Sustainable Development of 1 Million Hectares of High-Quality, Low-Emission Rice Specialized Farming Linked to Green Growth in the Mekong Delta by 2030" (referred to as the 1 Million Hectare Rice Project).

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh directs the establishment of a fund to support 1 million hectares of high-quality, low-emission rice. Photo: Huynh Xay

Here, Mr. Le Minh Hoan, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, stated that in the past period, after the Prime Minister approved the 1 million hectare rice project, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has worked continuously, overcoming many difficulties (transportation infrastructure, irrigation, dikes, farmers' preferences, cooperative capacity, etc.) and achieved initial results after a period of piloting various models.

According to Mr. Hoan, the ultimate goal of the project is to help people reduce input costs, increase income during harvest, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, achieving these results will take a very long time.

Besides the support from central ministries and the impact of policies, according to Mr. Hoan, greater proactiveness from localities in the Mekong Delta region is also crucial. Mr. Hoan also stated that the ongoing 1 million hectare rice project is the starting point for future emission reduction projects in other areas of the agricultural sector.

In his concluding remarks at the conference, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh directed the establishment of a fund to support 1 million hectares of rice cultivation. This fund will include state capital, carbon credit sales, support from partners, and socialized capital. The purpose of establishing the fund is to have a readily available source of capital, eliminating the need for lengthy procedures.

"I propose that Comrade Ho Duc Phoc (Deputy Prime Minister, concurrently Minister of Finance - PV) direct the Ministry of Finance to establish a fund to support 1 million hectares of rice cultivation, so that the budget for 2025 can be secured immediately," Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh instructed.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh also directed the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, as well as relevant ministries, sectors, and localities, to coordinate efforts to achieve the target of 1 million hectares of rice cultivation ahead of schedule.

To achieve this, the implementing unit must "breathe life into the rice plant" through digital technology, circular economy, science and technology, and innovation. At the same time, they must "cherish the rice plant as much as they cherish themselves"; only then can a revolution in rice cultivation be created.

Regarding funding, the Prime Minister requested diversification of resources (central government, local government, companies, social mobilization, and the public...), especially the elimination of the "request and grant" mechanism, subsidies, and cumbersome administrative procedures.

Regarding planning, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, and local authorities must conduct research to ensure that the raw material areas are sustainable and stable.

During the implementation process, the entire political system must be mobilized to participate, bringing science and technology into the raw material areas to create rice grains that meet high-quality standards, aiming for a world-renowned brand.

Mr. Le Minh Hoan - Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, speaks about the project "Sustainable development of 1 million hectares of high-quality, low-emission rice monoculture linked to green growth in the Mekong Delta". Photo: Huynh Xay

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, on November 27, 2023, the Prime Minister approved the Project to Develop 1 Million Hectares of Rice. The project is divided into two implementation phases. Phase 1 (2024-2025) focuses on developing 200,000 hectares. Phase 2 (2026-2030) will expand to an additional 800,000 hectares of high-quality, low-emission rice.

Over the past period, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, together with localities and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), has organized and implemented 7 pilot models in 5 provinces and cities including: Can Tho, Dong Thap, Kien Giang, Tra Vinh, and Soc Trang.

Currently, 4 out of 7 pilot models for the 2024 Summer-Autumn crop have reported very positive results. Specifically, costs have been reduced by 20-30% (over 50% reduction in seed quantity, over 30% reduction in nitrogen fertilizer, 2-3 fewer pesticide sprayings, and approximately 30-40% reduction in irrigation water), productivity has increased by 10% (yield in the model reached 6.3-6.6 tons/ha compared to the control group's 5.7-6 tons/ha), farmers' income has increased by 20-25% (profit increased by 4-7.6 million VND/ha compared to the control group), CO2 emissions have been reduced by an average of 5-6 tons per hectare, and all harvested rice production has been guaranteed for purchase by businesses at a price 200-300 VND/kg higher.

The results achieved from the pilot models have greatly encouraged farmers and cooperatives to trust and continue to actively participate in the project.

Source: https://danviet.vn/thu-tuong-pham-minh-chinh-de-lam-duoc-de-an-1-trieu-ha-lua-phai-thoi-hon-vao-cay-lua-20241015174255585.htm