New position of Vietnamese rice

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Agricultural engineer and farmers visit Loc Troi 28 rice fields. Photo: TL

Quality is internationally recognized

Within the framework of the Global Rice Trade Conference recently held in Cebu, Philippines organized by The Rice Trader, the World Delicious Rice contest gathered over 30 rice varieties from 10 countries Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, India, Philippines... Among them, Vietnam has 3 businesses participating in the contest with 6 rice varieties. In the end, Vietnam surpassed both champions Cambodia and India - the world's leading rice exporter - to be honored as the world's best rice in 2023.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) Hoang Trung emphasized that the general awarding of Vietnamese rice shows that not only one rice variety but many rice varieties are honored, thereby affirming the position of Vietnamese rice. Vietnamese rice in general. Mr. Nguyen Nhu Cuong, Director of the Department of Crop Production, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development also assessed that Vietnam currently has a very good set of rice varieties, high yield, good quality, short duration, with conditions to arrange seasons, avoiding adverse climate conditions, pests and diseases; at the same it is necessary to have farming processes that reduce input materials to adapt to climate change...

Owning 2 of the 6 rice varieties participating in this contest, Loc Troi 28 and Nang Hoa 9, Loc Troi Group Joint Stock Company said that the Loc Troi 28 rice variety was selected from more than 2,000 individuals from cross-breed combinations. Loc Troi 1 and Basmati from 2014 up to now have good resistance to pests and diseases, rice grains are long, clear white, slim, giving soft rice, the aroma combines the smell of jasmine and pandan leaves, and a rich sweet taste. Previously, Loc Troi 28 was honored as "The Best Rice in the World 2018" at the 5th Continental Rice Traders Conference - CRTC 2018 held in China and continued to be crowned "Best Rice in Vietnam" at the 5th Vietnamese Rice Festival of the year, 2022 in Vinh Long. Meanwhile, Nang Hoa 9 variety produces elongated rice grains, soft, chewy, aromatic rice with rich flavor and is one of 9 fragrant rice varieties granted tax-free export quotas to the EU market under the EVFTA trade agreement.

Deputy Minister Hoang Trung also said that after this award, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will strengthen activities to build brands and promote rice varieties that have contributed to the overall achievements of Vietnamese rice. Specifically, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has assigned the Trade Promotion Center to coordinate with businesses to build brands for rice varieties, and will request the Ministry of Industry and Trade to have policies to support promotion and branding for businesses which have quality rice varieties.

Sustainable production to increase value and reduce emissions

Recently, the Prime Minister signed Decision No. 1490/QD-TTg approving the Project "Sustainable development of 1 million hectares specializing in high-quality and low-emission rice cultivation associated with green growth in the River Delta region to 2030” The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is assigned to develop an implementation plan and coordinate with localities and associations to effectively and successfully implement the Project.

The goal of the project is to form one million hectares of high-quality and low-emission rice cultivation areas associated with reorganizing the production system according to the value chain, applying sustainable farming processes to increase value. , sustainable development of the rice industry, improving production and business efficiency, income and life of rice growers, protecting the environment, adapting to climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, contributing part of implementing Vietnam's international commitments. The project is implemented in 12 Mekong Delta provinces with an area of about 1 million hectares: An Giang, Kien Giang, Dong Thap, Long An, Soc Trang, Can Tho, Bac Lieu, Tra Vinh, Hau Giang, Ca Mau , Tien Giang and Vinh Long; performed in two stages.

Mr. Nguyen Nhu Cuong assessed that no project has mobilized so many resources, technical and financial support from carbon finance funds and support funds in the world. Specifically, according to leaders of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the World Bank has committed to lend about USD 350-400 million to implement the project.

From a business perspective, Mr. Huynh Van Thon, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Loc Troi Group, said that with the increasingly perfect agricultural ecosystem and rice value chain from seed to rice grain, Loc Troi and its subsidiaries Group members are determined to stick with farmers, expand production links, and actively participate in the 1 million hectares project recently approved by the Government to provide certified seed sources, especially the two rice varieties have Just won the award, Loc Troi 28 and Nang Hoa 9. Loc Troi encourages farmers to implement scientific farming processes and use a set of harmonious organic - biological - chemical crop care and protection solutions. Learn to protect the environment, save land and water resources, reduce the amount of chemicals sprayed on fields through mechanization... in accordance with the criteria for sustainable rice production. This enterprise also ensures rice consumption, promoting rice production and processing capacity to always provide delicious, new, high-quality rice to domestic and foreign consumers.

Many international financial organizations are also actively accompanying Vietnamese businesses in providing financial support for the development of multi-value rice chains, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing farmers' income. Typically, the PAN Group and Standard Chartered Bank Vietnam have just awarded a Memorandum of Understanding to cooperate in implementing financial solutions and services that meet environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards, helping this enterprise implement sustainable agricultural projects. In particular, PAN is cooperating with the People's Committee of Dong Thap province to build and implement the project to improve rice growers' income to develop a closed rice value chain, reduce emissions and increase income for farmers.

Similarly, Loc Troi Group Joint Stock Company (LTG) and the Business Development Bank (FMO) of the Netherlands have also just signed and exchanged a letter of intent to sponsor a credit package of USD 90 million (more than VND)2,100 billion) to implement sustainable rice production and agricultural infrastructure investment to improve Loc Troi's rice production and supply capacity.

With the cooperation of all levels of government, professional agencies, agricultural scientists, businessmen, businesses, international organizations and especially the labor of millions of farmers, Mr. Nguyen Nhu Cuong hopes that the project will fundamentally change the rice value chain in the Mekong Delta in particular and Vietnam's rice value chain in general.