Sustainable Development of the Mekong Delta’s Rice Sector: One Year of Transformation and the first milestones of the 'One Million Hectares' Project

Abstract

In the context of Vietnam’s agricultural sector facing multiple challenges - including climate change, land degradation, environmental pollution, and market fluctuations - developing a high-quality, low-emission, and sustainable rice production model based on science and technology has become an urgent priority. The project “Sustainable Development of One Million Hectares of High-Quality, Low-Emission Specialized Rice Production in the Mekong Delta by 2030” officially entered its pilot and implementation phase in 2024. Its goal is to chart a new course for Vietnam’s rice industry, enhancing the national brand and contributing to the protection of the planet for future generations. This article analyzes the outcomes of the project’s first year - from policy direction and pilot models to results in productivity, quality, and environmental performance - while identifying challenges and limitations that need to be addressed. Based on these findings, it offers recommendations for the sustainable development of the Mekong Delta’s rice sector in the coming period.