Vietnamese rice exporters have great opportunities to grow in production and value. (Photo: PV/Vietnamplus) Hanoi (VNA) - The fall-winter rice production area in the Mekong Delta will be adjusted to increase by 50,000 hectares compared to the early year plan to seize the opportunity to increase rice exports.
A year of record harvests
Addressing a regular press conference held by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) in Hanoi on August 1, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien said Vietnam's rice exports in the first 7 months of the year reached 4.84 million tons, worth 2.58 billion VND. USD, up 29.6%.
"In recent days, rice prices have increased to very high levels, this is a good sign but we still have to be vigilant,” Tien noted.
Nguyen Nhu Cuong, Director of the MARD’s Department of Crop Production, said given the increasing rice prices, the department has worked to raise the rice farming area for the autumn-winter crop in the Mekong Delta from 650,000 hectares to 700,000 hectares.
To reach the rice output target of 43 million tonnes, the department is coordinating with MARD's relevant agencies and localities in setting out cultivation plans and rolling out technical solutions, he said.
The fall-winter rice production area in the Mekong Delta will increase by 50,000 hectares compared to the early year plan. (Photo: Vietnamplus) Cuong also noted that El Nino could hit rice production, especially the winter-spring crop in the Mekong Delta, saying although its impacts on Vietnam might be less severe than other countries, vigilance should be maintained.
Opportunity for rice export
Rice export curbs by some countries like India, Russia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will offer opportunities to both Vietnamese exporters and farmers, especially those in the Mekong Delta, said Deputy Minister Tien, adding this will be a great opportunity to raise local incomes.
Vietnam's high quality rice products are popular in many countries. (Photo: Vietnamplus) According to Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has submitted a proposal to the Prime Minister to issue a Directive on increasing rice exports in the current context. The directive will clearly state the responsibilities of ministries, agencies, localities and businesses. After the Directive is issued, ministries, relevant agencies and localities will focus on removing difficulties for businesses and farmers to take advantage of rice export opportunities.
Cuong emphasized that the current context is a good opportunity to export rice products that should not be missed. To take advantage of the rising rice prices, the Department of Crop Production has increased the production area for the Fall-Winter crop in the Mekong Delta by 50,000 hectares from 650,000 hectares to 700,000 hectares.
Regarding the increase in rice prices, Cuong said that there will be a certain price increase on the market but this will not affect the supply because with the current national reserves and the crop harvest time being only 3 months, food security will be maintained along with higher volume of exports./.
