Saving water, boosting profits on the journey toward 1 million hectares of low-emission rice

Alternate wetting and drying gradually proves effective

In the context of climate change, rising agricultural input costs, and growing demand for green production, Dong Thap province is accelerating the shift toward resource-saving, low-emission rice farming. Among modern models, those applying alternate wetting and drying (AWD) stand out, as they are gradually demonstrating clear economic and environmental benefits.

According to the Dong Thap Department of Agriculture and Environment, by the end of 2025, more than 75,000 hectares of rice in the province had joined the 1-million-hectare high-quality, low-emission rice Scheme, reaching 104% of the initial-phase target. Pilot models implemented at cooperatives have shown many positive results: seed use fell by 46-53%, fertilizer use by 38-42%, and chemicals by 22-37%. In particular, greenhouse gas emissions dropped by 3.1-4.9 tons of CO₂e per hectare per crop, while yields increased by 420-442 kg per hectare.

The rice farming model applying AWD is gaining support from farmers across many localities. Nguyen Van Bung, a farmer in My Quy commune, Dong Thap province, who cultivates 6.7 hectares of rice, is experiencing the benefits after changing his farming strategy.

“In the past, rice farming required a lot of water, costs were high, and profits were low. Since joining the high-quality, low-emission rice production program and adopting advanced technical practices, especially alternate wetting and drying irrigation, I have reduced pumping costs and used less fertilizer and fewer pesticides. Each crop now earns me several million dong more per hectare,” he says.

Not only farmers but also cooperatives play an important role in reorganizing production and applying new techniques in the field in a sustainable direction. Thang Loi Agricultural Service Cooperative in My Quy commune (Dong Thap province) is a prime example.

According to Nguyen Van Hung, Chairman of the Board and Director of Thang Loi Agricultural Service Cooperative, after its members join the high-quality, low-emission rice model, the cooperative provides guidance on synchronizing new technical processes, from sparse sowing and efficient water management to post-harvest straw collection.

After more than two years of applying the new techniques in the fields, Thang Loi Cooperative has clearly witnessed lower production costs and stable yields. Connecting with buyers to sell products has also become easier, so farmers’ incomes have increased compared to traditional farming models. Instead of burning straw and causing pollution as before, fields are open to sell straw to traders at around VND 400,000 per hectare, thereby increasing production value.

Shifting from "producing more" to "producing efficiently"

Dong Thap is focusing on expanding advanced farming models for high-quality, low-emission rice production.

“According to our assessment, saving water and reducing input costs are key solutions to increasing farmers’ profits. Models such as rice-fish, rice-vegetable, rice-lotus, and AWD not only reduce emissions and production costs but also create added value, in line with the province’s green growth orientation,” said Le Chi Thien, Deputy Director of the Dong Thap Department of Agriculture and Environment.

Dong Thap also aims to have 100,000 hectares participating in the 1-million-hectare high-quality, low-emission rice Scheme by the end of 2026, progressing toward completing the target of more than 128,000 hectares before 2030. The province will continue investing in in-field irrigation infrastructure, strengthen technical training, and encourage businesses to join value-chain consumption linkages.

In reality, rice-fish, rice-lotus, rice-duck, and rice-vegetable farming models are not only economic solutions but also an important shift in the production mindset of Dong Thap farmers - from “producing more” to “producing efficiently,” and from increasing output to increasing value.

Deputy Director Thien emphasizes the local authorities’ efforts. The provincial agricultural sector has consistently accompanied farmers, cooperatives, and businesses in implementing many effective models. This opens new directions for the local rice industry. The ultimate goal is to realize the goal of building a high-quality, low-emission rice region and enhance the value of local rice grains in the future while adapting to climate change.

*$1 = VND 26,393 - Source: Vietcombank.