The Mekong Delta region has expanded its large-scale rice fields to over 100,000 ha in the 2013-2014 Winter-Spring crop, 34,000 ha more than the same period last year, according to the Steering Committee for the South-western Region.

Large-scale rice fields usually range from 300 to 1,000ha, facilitating mechanisation of farming work.

Rice cultivation in such fields has also met Vietnam Good Agricultural Practice (VietGAP) and Global Good Agricultural Practice (GlobalGAP) standards.

Accordingly, the region has used high quality rice seeds that have strong resistance against disease and unfavourable weather, and applied advanced technologies in farming in order to improve yields and meet export standards.

Director of Can Tho city’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Pham Van Quynh said several contracts encompassing seed, fertiliser, pesticide , machine and equipment supply were signed between businesses and rice farmers in the locality.

Enterprises have also pledged to buy rice at appropriate prices from farmers.

Mekong Delta farmers have harvested Winter-Spring rice crops on 20,000ha so far. According to the Vietnam Food Association, the price of fresh rice in the region fluctuates between 5,000 and 5,600 VND/kg, while high-quality dried rice fetches 5,700-5,800 VND/kg.

The Ministry of Finance said that the large-scale field model makes 1-4 million VND/ha more profit than the old system.-VNA