Truong Thanh scales up high-quality, low-emission rice cultivation

Clear effectiveness from the practical model

On April 3, the People’s Committee of Truong Thanh commune, Can Tho City, organized a workshop to review the 2026 winter-spring rice production model under the Project “Sustainable development of one million hectares of high-quality, low-emission specialized rice cultivation.” The workshop was attended by Mr. Le Thanh Tung, Standing Vice Chairman and General Secretary of the Viet Nam Rice Industry Association (VIETRISA); Ms Tran My Hanh, representative of the Plant Production and Protection Department (MAE), along with representatives from departments, agencies, enterprises and local farmers.

Mr. Le Tan Thien, Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Truong Thanh commune, said the model was implemented in line with city and local plans, with a target of reaching 100 ha in 2026 and expanding to 865 ha by 2030. The model focuses on reducing seeding rates to 70 kg/ha, cutting 20% of fertilizers, pesticides and irrigation water, while ensuring 100% of the area has off-take contracts, synchronized mechanization, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

In the 2026 winter-spring crop, the locality connected with enterprises to sign off-take contracts for 60 hectares of rice with 43 participating households, using certified Dai Thom 8 seed variety. Results showed that production costs decreased significantly, yields increased by 100-200 kg/ha, and profits were more than VND 2 million/ha higher compared to control fields. In addition, farmers were guaranteed purchase prices about VND 200/kg higher than the market price.

Mr. Thien emphasized that the model has clearly demonstrated its superiority compared to traditional cultivation. Reducing input costs while maintaining stable yields has helped increase farmers’ profits, serving as an important motivation for them to change production practices.

Not only delivering economic efficiency, the model also brings social value by transforming farmers’ mindset from small-scale production to linked, planned, and market-oriented production. Environmentally, the application of alternate wetting and drying irrigation techniques and reduced use of fertilizers and chemicals has significantly cut greenhouse gas emissions, a key factor in the context of increasingly severe climate change in the Mekong Delta.

Cooperatives as the “core” of production restructuring

On this occasion, leaders of the People’s Committee of Truong Thanh commune awarded the establishment certificate to Truong Thanh Clean Rice Cooperative in Thoi Phuoc 1 hamlet. Initially, the cooperative has 7 members covering 21 hectares, and is expected to become a focal point for organizing production, linking consumption, and building a local clean rice brand.

Mr. Tran Cong Danh, Director of the cooperative, shared: “The establishment of the cooperative is not only a milestone of farmer cooperation but also reflects the aspiration to build a sustainable rice brand. We are committed to operating in the right direction, improving product quality and strengthening links with enterprises for long-term development.”

According to local leaders, the cooperative will act as the “core” in the value chain, serving as a bridge between farmers and enterprises, as well as a hub for receiving and implementing technical advances and support policies. To operate effectively, the cooperative must strictly follow technical processes, promote digital transformation, build the “Truong Thanh Clean Rice” brand, and enhance management capacity.

The commune authorities pledged to continue accompanying and supporting the cooperative through training, technology transfer, market linkage, and infrastructure investment. At the same time, the locality will promote participation in the Project and expand production scale associated with environmental protection.

Mr. Le Thanh Tung, Standing Vice Chairman and General Secretary of the VIETRISA, said that the Mekong Delta has 1.5 million hectares of rice land with an annual output of about 24 million tons. Beyond domestic consumption, Viet Nam has a rice export surplus and ranks third in the world in rice export volume. The Project on one million hectares of high-quality, low-emission rice issued by the Government aims to reorganize the value chain more tightly, starting from farmers, with a focus on reducing input costs to better control prices.

Accordingly, the VIETRISA, with support from the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), has developed the Viricert tool to assess farmers’ compliance with the 4043 process issued by the Plant Production and Protection Department. The goal is to certify cooperatives, farmers, and enterprises participating in the Project, allowing them to use the “Viet Nam Green Rice – Low Emission” label, thereby enhancing credibility in export markets.

Mr. Tung also appreciated the locality's efforts in implementing the model. He noted that participation by farmers and cooperatives not only helps increase income but also contributes to restructuring the rice sector toward sustainability, emission reduction, and higher export value. Establishing production linkages through cooperatives is an inevitable direction. When production is well organized, processes are followed, and links with enterprises are strengthened, rice can be sold at higher prices and gain deeper access to international markets.

With these initial positive results and the coordinated involvement of authorities, enterprises, and farmers, the high-quality, low-emission rice model in Truong Thanh is expected to continue expanding, contributing to the realization of sustainable development goals for the rice sector in the Mekong Delta.