In the morning of 30/3/2012, in Cao Lanh City, Dong Thap Province, Dong Thap Provincial People’s Committee co-operated with Vietnam Economic Times to organize the workshop on “Solutions for development of rice production and consumption in the MeKong Delta”.
Attendees of the workshop included Mr. Nguyen Thanh Bien – Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade, Mr. Pham Van Bay – Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Food Association (VFA), representatives from the People’s Committee, Dong Thap Province’s departments and agencies, PVFCCo-SE’s representatives and professors, doctors from the Mekong Delta’s institutes and universities and representatives from local cooperatives and rice exporters.
Addressing the workshop, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Bien elaborated on Vietnam’s rice export situation in recent years. In 2011, Vietnam exported more than 7 million tons of rice and earned revenues of over 3.5 billion USD. However, he raised the concern that although Vietnam was the world’s second-largest rice exporter, the export rice value remained low, the land area of low grade rice IR 50404 accounted for a large percentage while its consumption was very difficult due to the tough competition from other exporters like Indian, Philippines, Pakistan, etc.
The delegates at the workshop were also given introduction on domestic and foreign models providing sustainable rice production as well as advanced technology to reduce post-harvest losses as addressed by leading experts and scientists.
The scientists urged the local authorities to make revised planning for production, to focus at the beginning on selection of rice varieties, production process, post-harvest technology… thereby, to improve rice quality and promote Vietnamese rice brand. In the commercial stage, it is necessary to strengthen the roles and the connection of four factors (State – home business – the farmers – scientists)
