Can Tho pioneers use of digital tool to ‘score’ low-emission rice cultivation

On the afternoon of May 13, the Viet Nam Rice Sector Association (Vietrisa), in coordination with the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Can Tho and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), held a preliminary review of compliance assessment results for the One-Million-Hectare rice cultivation process, aimed at granting the low-emission Green Vietnamese Rice label through the ViRiCert tool.

During the 2024–2025 period, localities across the Mekong Delta have implemented technical processes for high-quality, low-emission rice cultivation in accordance with Decision No. 4043/QD-BNN-TT issued by the Crop Production and Plant Protection Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.

The application of digital tools in rice production helps reduce management costs and improve supply chain transparency. With data updated regularly, relevant authorities can more easily monitor quality and evaluate implementation results in each production area.

Notably, Can Tho is the first locality in the Mekong Delta to apply the ViRiCert digital tool to assess compliance with cultivation procedures, supporting the development of the low-emission Green Vietnamese Rice label.

The assessment activities were piloted by the Plant Production and Protection Sub-Department of Can Tho in 11 cooperatives, in collaboration with Vietrisa and with technical support from IRRI. These cooperatives were selected for their strong production capacity, management scale, and commitment to implementing the One-Million-Hectare project, which supports the development of the low-emission Green Vietnamese Rice label.

Through the ViRiCert tool, cultivation data from farmers and cooperatives are updated, managed, and verified in accordance with the technical criteria of the One-Million-Hectare project. The assessment is based on a scoring system and compliance levels across various stages, including pre-season water management, mechanized land preparation, seed use, sowing density, mechanized sowing, fertilizer application, mid-season water management, pest management, harvesting, and straw management.

According to cooperatives participating in the pilot program, farmers are now paying greater attention to low-emission techniques, water conservation, and minimizing post-harvest losses. Some models have also adopted drones for pesticide spraying, helping reduce labor costs and improve production efficiency.

The preliminary review identified three cooperatives in Can Tho that have demonstrated proactive innovation and a strong commitment to sustainable farming practices alongside local farmers. These include Thanh Cong Agricultural Cooperative in Truong Khanh Commune, Nghia Thang Rice Production Cooperative in My Xuyen Ward, and Khiet Tam Agricultural Cooperative in Thanh An Commune.

Nguyen Thi Giang, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Can Tho, stated that digitalizing data through the ViRiCert tool not only supports monitoring and evaluation but also lays the foundation for traceability, issuance of planting area codes, and the future development of certification mechanisms for low-emission Green Vietnamese Rice.

According to Giang, for low-emission rice to access premium markets with higher added value and competitiveness, it is not enough to simply “produce green”; producers must also be able to prove the “green production” process.

Several rice-exporting enterprises noted that demand for low-emission products is rapidly increasing in many international markets. This is viewed as an opportunity for Viet Nam’s rice industry to enhance the value of Vietnamese rice and build a distinct international brand.

Based on data collected through ViRiCert, agricultural authorities in Can Tho aim to establish planting area codes for rice cultivation to standardize production processes, strengthen traceability, and improve quality and food safety controls.

Le Thanh Tung, Vice Chairman and Secretary General of Vietrisa, said that all localities participating in the One-Million-Hectare project currently have demand for the low-emission Green Vietnamese Rice label. The ViRiCert tool was developed in alignment with the project’s technical procedures to support application intake and assessment activities.

Cooperatives and enterprises applying for the label must be members of Vietrisa. At present, the association grants the label free of charge to units that meet the production process requirements and achieve the required assessment scores using the ViRiCert tool.

To date, Vietrisa has granted the label to approximately 70,000 tons of rice exported to markets such as Japan, Europe, and Australia. Mr. Tung added that once certified export volumes reach around 500,000 tons or 1 million tons under the low-emission Green Vietnamese Rice label, the association will consider introducing certification fees.