AU$1M project helps Mekong rice farmers adapt to climate

ACIAR, together with the University of Queensland and SunRice Group, has announced the continuation of their research collaboration to enhance climate-resilient rice production in the Mekong Delta, according to the ACIAR in Vietnam Newsletter published in July 2026.

With a total committed co-investment of AUD 1 million (approximately VND 18 billion), the research will help smallholder farmers address increasingly growing climate-related issues while meeting the standards of premium export markets.

The project will build capacity for cooperatives on a gender-inclusive, climate-adaptive basis, helping farmers perfect post-harvest processes to improve efficiency and traceability, targeting high-value buyers. Simultaneously, the project will promote seed research to create high-quality, climate-adaptive rice varieties ready for commercialization.

Ms. Gillian Bird, Australian Ambassador to Viet Nam, emphasized the importance of this partnership during her visit to the Mekong Delta and SunRice's Lap Vo Factory in Dong Thap province.

"This initiative is a clear testament to the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Australia and Viet Nam. We strongly support green growth and innovation in Viet Nam's agricultural sector. I am delighted to witness the public-private partnership between ACIAR and SunRice, founded on utilizing science as a lever for economic development and emission reduction", she affirmed.

Mr. Paul Serra, CEO of SunRice Group, stated that collaborating with ACIAR over the past four years in Viet Nam has brought tangible successes, specifically in developing a rice supply that complies with international standards, enhancing capacity and profitability for farmers and reducing input costs.

This new collaborative activity also aligns perfectly with the goals of the Project "Sustainable development of one million hectares of high-quality, low-emission specialized rice cultivation associated with green growth in the Mekong Delta by 2030".

Acting CEO of ACIAR, Dr. Nick Austin, reaffirmed the commitment to cooperate in addressing Viet Nam's priority issues and implementing partner-proposed initiatives, serving the interests of the Vietnamese people.

The University of Queensland is the lead agency for the project, collaborating with An Giang University, Can Tho University, the Mekong Delta Rice Research Institute and Ricegrowers Vietnam Company - a member of the SunRice Group.

AU$ 1 = VND 18,663 - Source: Vietcombank.