MAE to solidify rice ecosystem for sustainable exports

Recently, at the Government’s regular March press briefing, a reporter asked the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment about solutions to ensure rice production and exports amid growing challenges in the global landscape.

Responding to the issue, Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien stated that Viet Nam’s rice output structure includes 14 million tons for domestic consumption, 7-9 million tons for processing, about 3,000 tons for reserves, around 3.4 million tons for animal feed, and approximately 1 million tons for seeds, with the remainder allocated for export.

“In 2025, we exported 7.9 million tons, generating over USD 4.7 billion,” Mr. Phung Duc Tien noted at the press briefing.

Regarding the Middle East conflict, Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien pointed out difficulties related to fuel, fertilizers, and crop protection chemicals. In addition, rice prices are currently lower compared to the same period in 2025.

In this context, on March 11, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment advised the Prime Minister to issue Official Dispatch No. 21, which focuses on several fundamental and stabilizing solutions. Notably, it emphasizes strengthening science and technology programs, and promoting the use of new rice varieties that are short-duration and high-quality.

On the application of science and technology in production, Mr. Phung Duc Tien referred to the project on developing one million hectares of high-quality, low-emission rice in the Mekong Delta. He affirmed that this is not merely a production program but also a strategic solution to fulfill Viet Nam’s commitment at COP26 to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

A notable feature of the project is that it is not limited to a single region but is designed to be expanded based on scientific and practical foundations, from the Southeast region and the Central region to the Red River Delta. This approach aims to ensure consistency in quality, output, and environmental standards, thereby enhancing the position of Vietnamese rice in the international market.

One of the key solutions highlighted by the Deputy Minister is prioritizing the use of short-duration, fast-growing rice varieties while still ensuring high quality. This not only helps increase production cycles but also reduces risks from weather and market fluctuations, while strengthening the competitiveness of Vietnamese rice exports.

To increase added value and reduce input costs, the agricultural sector is focusing on implementing modern farming practices, such as the “Three Reductions, Three Gains” approach. This includes reducing seed rates, reducing the use of inorganic fertilizers, and reducing crop protection chemicals; while increasing yield, improving quality, and enhancing economic efficiency.

At the same time, irrigation systems and plant disease prevention efforts are being maintained in a constant state of readiness to ensure stable production, sustain rice quality, and help lower production costs.

A longstanding issue is seasonality, which often leaves farmers in a situation of “buying high and selling low.” To address this, the Deputy Minister noted that the sector is promoting greater storage capacity, accelerating deep processing, and building a closely linked ecosystem among farmers, cooperatives, and enterprises.

Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien also emphasized the importance of coordination among ministries and sectors in supporting sustainable agricultural development. The banking sector has implemented various preferential credit policies, particularly interest rate adjustments in 2024, which have helped people and businesses access capital more easily.

In addition, coordination between the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Finance in providing market information, regulating reserves, and developing response scenarios for fluctuations in input prices (such as fuel and fertilizers) is considered a key factor in stabilizing production.

The Deputy Minister also acknowledged and highly appreciated the role of the media in accompanying the agricultural sector, promptly reflecting realities on the ground and promoting effective models.

He affirmed that current solutions are aimed at a dual objective: addressing immediate challenges such as fluctuations in rice prices and international competitive pressures, while also building a long-term foundation for a modern, ecological agricultural sector.

In this regard, investment in agriculture and reducing logistics costs are identified as critical keys to solving the sustainable development equation. The philosophy of being “fundamental, flexible, and sustainable” is not only a short-term orientation but also a guiding principle for the comprehensive restructuring of Viet Nam’s rice sector in the coming period.