Farmers in the Mekong Delta province of An Giang has enjoyed an increase of at least 30 percent in profit thanks to cultivating Japanese rice varieties.

The varieties, namely Kinu, Akita, Hana and DS1, have been provided by the Angimex–Kitoku Co., Ltd, with the aim of helping local farmers produce clean rice with high output.

According to Chau Van Ly, Vice Chairman the provincial Farmers’ Association, the cooperation in growing Japanese rice varieties between farmers in Long Xuyen city, Thoai Son, Tri Ton and Chau Thanh districts and the company in 2014 has proved effective, generating an output of 14,000 tonnes of rice worth 1 trillion VND (47 million USD).

During the farming process, the company has assisted farmers in preventing diseases and insects and supplied fertilizer to them. It has also bought all rice from contracted farmers to export to Japan .

In 2015, the farming area under the project is expected to range from 2,000-2,500 ha, and all produced rice will be shipped to the Japanese market.-VNA