Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang has signed a decision approving the “Sustainably develop one million hectares of high-quality, low-carbon rice cultivation in the Mekong Delta by 2030” project.

Under the decision dated November 27, 1 million hectares of high-quality and low-emissions rice cultivation areas will be established, linked to the restructuring of the production system along the value chain and the application of sustainable farming practices to increase the value and sustainability of the rice industry, improve the efficiency of production and business, boost incomes and livelihoods of rice farmers, protect the environment, adapt to climate change, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and contribute to the implementation of Vietnam’s international commitments.

The project will be conducted in Can Tho city and eleven provinces in the Mekong Delta: An Giang, Kien Giang, Dong Thap, Long An, Soc Trang, Bac Lieu, Tra Vinh, Hau Giang, Ca Mau, Tien Giang, and Vinh Long.

It will be carried out in two phases. The first phase, in 2024-2025, targets transforming 180,000 ha of land under VnSAT projects (Vietnam Sustainable Agriculture Transformation) into low-carbon paddies.

The second phase, in 2026-2030, will determine key areas for the development of low-carbon, high-quality rice cultivation besides the VnSAT project areas and expand to 820,000 ha.