Step-by-step realizing the Project of 1 million hectares of high-quality, low-emission rice

Implementing the Project "Sustainable development of 1 million hectares of high-quality and low-emission rice cultivation associated with green growth in the Mekong Delta by 2030", Tay Ninh has quickly taken action, forming demonstration models, linking cooperatives with enterprises, changing production practices of farmers, localities, etc., and creating a foundation for expanding low-carbon rice areas, towards green and sustainable agriculture.

Farmers changing their mindset, applied new techniques to production

Since 2024, the Provincial People's Committee has established a Steering Committee, issued a plan and regulations, and approved the implementation plan of the Project for the period 2024-2025 and a pilot model of high-quality, low-emission rice cultivation. By mid-August 2025, the provincial agricultural sector had reviewed the area, selected cooperatives and enterprise; implemented demonstration models; coordinated with enterprises in building the high-quality rice value chain.

Currently, 69 cooperatives and 16 enterprises have registered to participate in the project. The pilot area is reviewed and updated on the digital map, and at the same time, the functional sector conducts a survey of technical infrastructure to propose investment, form a solid dyke system, protect production, control floods and salinity.

In the 2024-2025 Winter-Spring crop and 2025 Summer-Autumn crop, the province has deployed 13 farming models with a total area of ​​268 hectares according to the technical process guided by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment. Initial results show clear efficiency, the amount of seeds sown is reduced by 20-40 kg/ha; the cost of pesticides is reduced by 0.7-1 million VND/ha; the yield is increased by 200-500 kg/ha, helping farmers' profits to be higher by 1.5-5 million VND/ha compared to traditional farming.

Mr. Le Van Ngay - a farmer in Vinh Thanh commune, shared: “Previously, I sowed about 180-200kg of seeds/ha because I was afraid that the plants would be sparse. Participating in the model, I only sowed 100-120kg of seeds/ha, the rice was still good and had fewer pests and diseases. In particular, this also helps reduce the cost of fertilizers and pesticides, and my income also increased by a few million VND per hectare. More importantly, I am always assured because I do it correctly, with little impact on the environment.”

Another bright spot is that farmers' habits of handling straw after harvest have changed. Instead of burning the fields, many households have started to collect and reuse it as organic fertilizer or as livestock feed, both reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing additional income.

Chairman of the Board of Directors of Tien Phong Agricultural Production and Service Cooperative (Vinh Hung Commune) Nguyen Van Tam said: “The cooperative participated in the model of more than 20 hectares. At first, farmers were not familiar with reducing varieties, but after seeing the actual results, they were excited and bold enough to follow. The cooperative also signed a contract to guarantee output, helping farmers feel secure about the output. This is a very necessary direction for sustainable rice production.”

In parallel with the model of reducing varieties and saving costs, the province also coordinated with enterprises to implement a pilot model of “alternating wet and dry” irrigation. This method helps save water, reduce methane emissions from rice fields, and does not affect productivity. Currently, specialized agencies are synthesizing data to calculate the specific amount of reduced emissions.

In addition, the province has registered an area of ​​1,201 hectares (456 participating households) to sign an agreement to pay for emission reduction from the Carbon Asset Transfer Fund of the World Bank. This is a positive signal, opening up new opportunities for farmers when producing rice in association with the carbon market.

Not only stopping at the model, the province also focuses on propaganda and training, organizing many training courses on "Technical process of producing high-quality and low emissions rice" for farmers; building and training a team of reporters to do technology transfer work at the grassroots level. Thanks to that, farmers gradually grasp and apply it to actual production.

Towards a high-quality, low-emission rice area

Despite initial results, the province still faces many difficulties: the habit of sowing thickly, concerns about reducing seeds affecting productivity; collecting all straw after harvest is not feasible, especially in the Summer-Autumn crop; the number of enterprises participating in the consumption linkage is still limited; infrastructure serving rice production is not yet synchronized.

According to the Department of Agriculture and Environment, in the coming time, the province will focus on a number of solutions such as promoting propaganda to help farmers change their awareness, promoting the effectiveness of high-quality rice production and low emissions with content mainly related to current difficulties such as reducing seeds, collecting straw, linking with enterprises; advising the Provincial People's Committee to issue policies to support the application of scientific and technical advances, encourage mechanization, and strengthen production and consumption linkages. The focus is on supporting seeds, synchronous mechanization, applying digital technology in raw material area management; perfecting the Steering Committee, reviewing and adjusting the implementation plan until 2030, and developing a replication plan outside the project area associated with the consolidation and establishment of agricultural cooperatives.

Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment Dinh Thi Phuong Khanh emphasized: “The province continues to coordinate with institutes, schools, and enterprises to build technical models suitable for local ecological conditions; expand the area participating in the project; and create concentrated rice production areas, closely linking from production to consumption. The ultimate goal is to increase farmers' income, reduce emissions, and protect the environment.”

The project is not only a story of changing the way agriculture is done but also associated with the larger goal of green growth and sustainable development. With those steps, Tay Ninh is becoming one of the pioneering localities in realizing the goal of 1 million hectares of high-quality, low-emission rice in the Mekong Delta./.

By Bui Tung - Translated by Q. Thien