Value chain linkages drive low-emission rice production

Supporting farmers from the start of the crop season

Developing high-quality, low-emission rice production areas can only be effective when production is closely linked to stable market demand. For this reason, strengthening partnerships among agribusinesses, cooperatives, and farmers has become a critical component in implementing the Project on the Sustainable Development of One Million Hectares of High-Quality, Low-Emission Rice Associated with Green Growth in the Mekong Delta by 2030.

In My Hiep Commune, An Giang Province, the An Giang Agricultural Extension Center recently organized a business matchmaking conference to connect rice buyers with cooperatives participating in the Project. The event brought together many farmers, cooperative representatives, local authorities, and agribusinesses to discuss market demand, production practices, and partnership requirements for rice procurement.

According to Ms. Tran Thi Cam Tu, Deputy Head of the Agricultural Extension Division at the An Giang Agricultural Extension Center, the Project aims not only to improve rice productivity and grain quality but also to develop concentrated production areas that adopt advanced cultivation practices, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase farmers' incomes, and enhance the competitiveness of Vietnamese rice exports.

During the conference, farmers and cooperatives were introduced to government support policies, technical guidelines for cultivating high-quality, low-emission rice, and the requirements for building integrated value chains linking production with market consumption.

On this occasion, a MoU was signed between Sunrise Company and Hiep Loi Agricultural Cooperative, marking the first step toward establishing a concentrated rice production area that meets the standards set under the Project.

Mr. Nguyen Truong An, a representative of Sunrise Company, said that export markets, particularly in Europe, are increasingly prioritizing products with transparent traceability that meet food safety and environmental sustainability standards. Therefore, the company aims to establish stable raw material production areas from the beginning of each crop season to ensure better control over production processes and product quality.

For the 2026 summer-autumn crop, Sunrise Company signed a contract with Hiep Loi Agricultural Cooperative to purchase rice from 425 hectares under a production linkage scheme. Under the agreement, the company provides an advance payment of VND 5 million/ha for the contracted area. At harvest, the rice will be inspected for quality at the company's processing facility. If it meets the agreed standards, the company will purchase the rice at a price approximately VND 300/kg higher than the prevailing market price.

According to Mr. An, establishing production linkages from the beginning of the crop season not only enables the company to secure a stable supply of high-quality raw materials but also gives farmers the confidence to invest in low-emission cultivation practices, thereby gradually enhancing the value and reputation of An Giang rice.

Farmers gain confidence in adopting green production practies

By participating in the Project, Hiep Loi Agricultural Cooperative is gradually transforming its production model toward greater modernization and sustainability. Mr. Trinh Thanh Danh, Chairman of the Cooperative's Board of Directors, said the cooperative currently cultivates nearly 500 hectares of rice across three cropping seasons each year. Through the synchronized adoption of improved practices, including reducing seeding rates, applying balanced fertilization, implementing alternate wetting and drying (AWD) irrigation, practicing integrated pest management (IPM), and expanding mechanization, production costs have been significantly reduced while rice crops have become healthier and more resistant to pests and diseases.

What has encouraged cooperative members the most is the guaranteed market provided by the company's procurement commitment from the start of the season. Signing purchase contracts before planting allows farmers to avoid price pressure at harvest time and plan their production according to market requirements.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Phuong, one of the cooperative members participating in the production linkage model, said that through the cooperative, farmers receive support with rice seeds, fertilizers, straw treatment products, and regular technical training. These forms of assistance have given farmers the confidence to adopt new cultivation practices that both reduce production costs and improve rice yield and quality.

Mr. Le Van Cham, another member of Hiep Loi Agricultural Cooperative who cultivates 2.9 hectares of rice, shared: “Previously, I sowed around 150kg of seed per hectare and applied large amounts of fertilizer, yet the crop was still frequently affected by pests and diseases. After joining the Project, I reduced the seeding rate to about 80kg/ha. The rice has continued to grow well, with vigorous tillering and fewer pest problems, allowing me to significantly reduce fertilizer use and overall production costs.”

Mr. Pham Minh Khoi, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of My Hiep Commune, An Giang Province, said that business participation in rice procurement partnerships is a key factor driving the successful implementation of the One Million Hectares of High-Quality, Low-Emission Rice Project. With a stable market guaranteed, farmers are more willing to invest in improved production practices, helping enhance the value of Vietnamese rice, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and strengthen climate resilience.

Mr. Le Van Dung, Deputy Director of the An Giang Agricultural Extension Center, said that production linkage models will serve as a crucial foundation for expanding high-quality, low-emission rice cultivation across the province. These partnerships will help build sustainable value chains, increase farmers' incomes, and enhance the competitiveness of An Giang rice in international markets.

$ 1 = VND 26,520 - Source: Vietcombank.