Low-emission rice increases profits for farmers

Implementing the project "Sustainable Development of One Million Hectares of High-quality, Low-emission Rice Associated with Green Growth in the Mekong Delta" in Vinh Long province has initially delivered clear efficiency in terms of economics, the environment, and rice quality, laying an important foundation for replication across the province.

In 2024, Phuoc Hao Agricultural Cooperative in Hung My commune was selected by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment to pilot a low-emission rice cultivation model through 2030. The model is being implemented on an area of 50 ha with the participation of 46 members.

Participating households apply cluster sowing techniques with a seed amount of only 60–70 kg/ha, helping to keep rice fields well-aerated, limit pests and diseases, and reduce input costs. At the same time, the cooperative has been equipped with a synchronous mechanization system, including rice dryers, combine harvesters, aerial vehicles for spraying pesticides, rice milling machines, paddy graders, and cluster row seeders. These facilities effectively serve the alternate wetting and drying (AWD) irrigation process, contributing to saving water and reducing methane emissions in rice production.

According to the National Agricultural Extension Center, after three crops, pilot models of specialized high-quality, low-emission rice cultivation in the Mekong Delta have achieved greenhouse gas emission reductions of 2–12 tons of CO₂/ha.

In the 2025 summer–autumn crop, the model continues to be implemented on an area of 50 ha with the participation of 34 farmer households, following technical procedures of the Vinh Long Agricultural Extension Center combined with farmers' practical cultivation experience.

Mr. Truong Hoa Thuan, Director of Phuoc Hao Cooperative, stated that the adoption of sparse sowing, cluster sowing, alternate wetting and drying irrigation, and synchronous mechanization has helped increase rice yields by around 0.5 tons/ha and reduce production costs by 10–15%, thereby raising farmers' profits by VND 6–9 million/ha/crop.

According to assessments by the Department of Agriculture and Environment, rice productivity in these models reaches an average of 6.5–7 tons/ha for fresh paddy; production costs decline by 15–17%; and profits increase by 20–30%, while also helping to limit environmental pollution. Notably, the rice meets quality and safety standards and satisfies the requirements of both domestic and export markets.

Building on the effectiveness of these pilot models, Vinh Long province has now developed approximately 5,000 ha of high-quality rice under the One Million Hectares project, including 196.8 ha of pilot models and nearly 4,800 ha scaled up with the participation of 30 cooperatives.

Typically, Phuoc Hao Cooperative and Chau Hung Agricultural Service Cooperative (Hung My commune) are actively replicating high-quality rice production models in line with the policy of the Vinh Long Department of Agriculture and Environment.

According to Mr. La Quoc Yen, Director of Chau Hung Agricultural Service Cooperative, the cooperative began participating in the project in the 2024 autumn–winter crop and has so far completed three crops (two crops/year). The model was implemented on an area of 80 ha in the first year and expanded to 150 ha by the 2025 autumn–winter crop.

Under the model, farmers receive support covering 30% of fertilizer costs. Seeds and organic fertilizers are proactively supplied by the cooperative, with organic fertilizers accounting for around 70%. The cooperative is applying a process that reduces chemical fertilizer use by 30–40%. In 2024, the Agricultural Extension Center and the Sub-Department of Rural Development organized three technical training courses on low-emission rice production. In 2025, two additional courses are planned.

"Compared to traditional production methods, production costs have decreased by about 15%. Profits have increased from VND 1.8 million to VND 2.2–2.3 million/cong/crop (cong: a local measurement, 1 cong ~ 1.000m2), while paddy prices are higher than the market by VND 500–1,500/kg depending on quality," Mr. Yen said.

According to Mr. Lam Van Tan, Director of the Vinh Long Department of Agriculture and Environment, the One Million Hectares of High-Quality Rice project is a major policy of the Party and the State, receiving strong consensus from farmers and cooperatives, as well as support and interest from many domestic and international organizations and enterprises. However, implementation at the local level still faces difficulties due to fragmented rice production and weak linkages among farmers, cooperatives, and enterprises. In addition, rice products have yet to establish a brand, and there remains a lack of leading enterprises along with large-scale storage systems and machinery.

In the coming period, the provincial agricultural sector will clearly identify key areas for investment to develop production zones specializing in high-quality, low-emission rice. Vinh Long strives to have 50,000 ha meeting the prescribed criteria by the end of 2030, contributing to enhancing the value of the rice industry and aiming at sustainable agricultural development.

* USD 1 = VND 26,398 (Source: Vietcombank)