Maintaining production rhythm, raising crop quality standards

On the morning of September 9, in Dong Thap, the conference “Mid-year review of crop production and plant protection in 2025; implementation of the 2025-2026 winter-spring plan in southern provinces and cities” took place with a practical spirit and a strong focus on concrete tasks.

Maintaining production rhythm

According to the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection, in the first nine months and projected for the entire year of 2025, the Mekong Delta (Mekong River Delta - MRD) and Southeast region continue to serve as the pillars for rice, fruit, and several major industrial crops. Rice cultivation area is estimated at 4.1 million hectares, yielding 26.12 million tons, with an average productivity of 6.34 tons/ha, all slightly higher compared to 2024.

In particular, the 2024-2025 winter-spring crop recorded increases in both acreage and productivity, helping to offset a slight decline in the summer-autumn, autumn-winter, and main season crops. The rice variety structure continues to shift toward high-quality rice, with fragrant specialty rice accounting for a larger share, forming the foundation for restructuring the rice sector based on quality standards and value enhancement.

Besides rice, short-term crops show many positive signs. Corn acreage increased by 8.3%, with output reaching 575,000 tons. Root crops (various types of potatoes) grew 2.4 times in acreage, while vegetables, beans, watermelons, and others covered 371,000 hectares (up 12.5%) with output of over 7 million tons, meeting both domestic consumption and export demand.

Crop restructuring on rice land continues to expand, with about 38,700 hectares shifted mainly to annual crops, perennials, and rice-aquaculture models - a flexible response to climate change while opening new market opportunities for agricultural products.

For fruit, the output of key varieties in the MRD and Southeast in 2025 is estimated at 7.3 million tons. Of this, durian accounts for 915,000 tons; mango 799,000 tons; jackfruit 1.052 million tons; and orange 1.091 million tons. Although production is increasing, exports, especially durian, face stricter requirements on quality, food safety, and traceability. Off-season production models continue to expand, contributing to balancing supply and demand over time.

Market challenges and “the answer” through standardization

Looking at the market, delegates at the conference discussed how quality control, traceability, planting area codes, and packing facility codes have become mandatory “passports”. This is not new, but the level of rigor is rising quickly, forcing localities, cooperatives, and enterprises to operate according to the “new rhythm.” At the same time, input costs, weather risks, pests, and logistics fluctuations continue to test the resilience of the value chain.

In this context, the conference’s message emphasized that standardization must be seen as a medium-term pathway. This includes standardizing varieties, processes (IPM, IPHM, “4 rights” in pesticide use), storage, and processing, as well as data—from unified cropping calendars to quick and accurate reporting and information sharing across management levels. When standards are implemented consistently, even if short-term markets experience “ripples,” value-added and competitiveness can still be sustained.

In reality, stable production results not only ensure national food security but also contribute to rice export supply - something especially meaningful amid complex natural disasters in the Central and Northern regions. On the other hand, when world rice prices decline and some markets shift policies in the short term, the rice value chain must pivot from selling in bulk to selling based on quality standards, along with post-harvest services, logistics, and quick compliance with technical requirements.

The conference reached consensus on specific targets for the remainder of 2025 and the 2025-2026 winter-spring crop. For rice, the 2025 autumn-winter and main season crops are projected at 900,000 hectares, yielding 5.56 million tons; the 2025-2026 winter-spring crop aims for 1.59 million hectares and 11.51 million tons.

Solutions for the coming period

According to Deputy Minister Hoang Trung, 2025 production results not only ensure food security and rice exports but also contribute to stabilizing farmers’ livelihoods. However, the sector still has limitations: the seeding rate remains high, planting area code management lacks consistency, value chain linkages remain loose, and some localities face difficulties in post-merger governance.

To address this, the Deputy Minister requested that Ministry units regularly forecast and guide production to adapt to climate change, monitor the quality of seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides. Localities should urgently harvest ripened rice, adjust sowing schedules for the winter-spring crop according to the prescribed cropping calendar, secure freshwater reserves, and strengthen irrigation. Meanwhile, enterprises, associations, and industry groups need to accompany farmers in providing inputs, linking production and consumption, and investing in sustainable value chains.

Dong Thap plans to sow about 227,000 hectares in the 2025-2026 winter-spring crop

Dong Thap’s production structure has shifted significantly, with 80% of the rice area now planted with high-quality varieties. The province is focusing on fruit cultivation, particularly durian, which brings high export value. At the same time, Dong Thap is paying attention to planting area codes and packing facilities, with 49 codes already issued to serve exports.

Dong Thap plans to sow about 227,000 hectares in the 2025-2026 winter-spring crop, making an important contribution to the region’s overall plan. Pest and disease control measures are being implemented consistently from the provincial to the communal level, ensuring quick and effective response. The province is also encouraging farmers to engage in production linkages and to strengthen the application of technology in agricultural management and marketing.

Dong Thap plans to sow about 227,000 hectares in the 2025-2026 winter-spring crop, making an important contribution to the region’s overall plan. Pest and disease control measures are being implemented consistently from the provincial to the communal level, ensuring quick and effective response. The province is also encouraging farmers to engage in production linkages and to strengthen the application of technology in agricultural management and marketing.