Can Tho City, Vietnam, December 20, 2024—The Canadian Embassy in Vietnam delegation, led by Ms. Francesca Bellone, Head of the Development Cooperation Department, visited and surveyed the pilot model of the project “Sustainable Development of One Million Hectares of High Quality and Low-Emission Rice Associated with Green Growth in the Mekong River Delta By 2030” (1mHa) program at Thuan Tien Agricultural Cooperative in Vinh Thanh district.
This visit aimed to introduce the 1mHa Program to international partners. At the same time, it opened up opportunities for Vietnam to cooperate in investment with foreign partners and mobilize resources from international organizations, development partners, and non-governmental organizations to promote project implementation activities in localities.
Farmers, cooperative leaders, local agricultural sectors, and experts from the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) introduced Ms. Bellone to the overall cultivation process, the development orientation of the 1mHa Program, and a rice straw-based circular economy in the Mekong Delta.
According to IRRI Scientist Dr. Nguyen Van Hung, the 1mHa practice was developed based on innovations for increasing farming efficiency, productivity, and income and reducing GHG emissions in rice production. With its benefits demonstrated through the farming pilots, both farmers and rice exporters expressed high interest and willingness to participate in the program and apply the 1mHa practices.
Mr. Nguyen Cao Khai, Director of Thuan Tien Cooperative, shared the initial results achieved through two seasons of implementing the pilot model. In particular, the highlight is the change in people's farming practices, reducing investment costs, and increasing profits from 1 - 6 million VND/ha compared to traditional farming.
In addition, farmers increase economic efficiency from straw by-products by reusing them to grow straw mushrooms and composting them into organic fertilizers. Growing high-quality rice reducing emissions also ensures farmers' health and protects the environment. From this efficiency, cooperative members unanimously and enthusiastically participate in training programs, complying with production according to recommended processes.
Ms. Bellone expressed interest in integrating gender equality promotion activities within the 1mHa Program. She said that this is one of the important components that the Canadian Government pays great attention to. The focus is on what benefits the disadvantaged in the community will enjoy when participating in the project.
Participating private enterprises will reward farmers with increased rice prices during purchasing to encourage farmer participation. This incentive is provided if the product quality meets the required standards.
Also participating in this program, Mr. Tran Tan Thanh, Head of the Mekong Delta region of the Binh Dien Fertilizer Joint Stock Company shared that, in addition to supporting farmers with production techniques, providing organic fertilizers to reduce input costs, in the pilot model at Thuan Tien Cooperative, the company also recommends that farmers reduce 20 - 35% of fertilizer, 1 - 2 times of spraying pesticides and reducing the amount of seeds sown to 60 - 70kg/ha. Instead, the company provides farmers with an optimal solution to save fertilizer, but increase efficiency.
Based on the information shared above, Ms. Francesca Bellone expressed surprise and excitement about the entire process within the 1mHa Program. According to her, the 1mHa Program is a strategic project that helps Vietnam solve many challenges and contributes to realizing the Net Zero commitment.
Ms. Francesca Bellone emphasized that the joint efforts to produce high-quality rice and reduce emissions in Vietnam have created a close alliance. This will greatly support cooperatives in calling for support from partners in the future.