Vietnam's first low-emission rice shipment to Japan

The Vietnam Rice Sector Association (VIETRISA), in collaboration with Trung An Hi-tech Agriculture Joint Stock Company, held a ceremony in Can Tho City on June 5 to celebrate the export of a 500-ton shipment of "Low-emission Green Vietnamese Rice" to Japan, at a price of $820 per ton.

This marks a historic turning point for Vietnam's agricultural sector, highlighting advancements in sustainable rice production under the "1 Million Hectares of High-Quality, Low-Emission Rice" project, currently underway in the Mekong Delta.

It also positions Vietnam as the first country in the world to introduce low-emission rice to the international market.

According to VIETRISA, the "Low-emission Green Vietnamese Rice" label was developed with support from the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and key international organizations, including: the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), the Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV), and the World Bank (WB).

The label is granted to rice products that meet stringent technical requirements under the project. Certification is provided by local agricultural authorities or specialized international organizations, ensuring traceability of origin, including place of production, rice variety, and crop season, while adhering to high-quality, low-emission production standards.

Following the issuance of brand regulations, VIETRISA certified seven companies with the right to use the "Low-emission Green Vietnamese Rice" label, covering a total volume of approximately 20,000 tons. 

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Tran Thanh Nam emphasized that this achievement reflects a transformative shift in farmers' mindsets, from traditional agricultural production to a dynamic agricultural economy.

It also reinforces the vital role of the rice industry in the Mekong Delta, solidifying Vietnam's leadership in sustainable agricultural practices.