On the morning of December 31st, in Can Tho City, Le Minh Hoan, Member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam and Vice Chairman of the National Assembly, attended the seminar "Meeting Vietrisa: One Million Hectares - One Journey" organized by the Vietnam Rice Industry Association.
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Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Le Minh Hoan attended the seminar "Meeting VIETRISA: One Million Hectares - One Journey"
Also attending were: former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Cao Duc Phat – President of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI); former Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment , President of the Vietnam Rice Industry Association Bui Ba Bong; Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Can Tho City Tran Tri Hung; and scientists, representatives from universities and research institutes in the Mekong Delta region, and businesses involved in the Vietnamese rice industry.
With two themes, "Meeting Vietrisa: One Million Hectares – One Journey" and "Linking the Value Chain and Ecosystem of Rice," the seminar provided an opportunity to reflect on the progress made towards the goal of one million hectares of high-quality, low-emission rice and to promote sustainable development in the future.
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On the occasion of the first anniversary of the implementation of the Project on 1 million hectares of high-quality, low-emission rice linked to the green economy, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Le Minh Hoan shared that, from pioneering models in An Giang, Dong Thap, Can Tho, etc., farmers have boldly reduced seeds, fertilizers, and water. Businesses have begun measuring emissions and tracing origins. Scientists are working alongside farmers in the fields, not just in laboratories. As a result, farmers have reduced costs, the soil is healthier, the rice plants are more resilient, and Vietnamese rice is beginning to gain a green identity in the international market. The rice is not only tastier but also a responsibly produced Vietnamese rice.
Based on the initial results of changing the mindset of rice farmers towards green, clean, and sustainable development, the Vice Chairman of the National Assembly stated that the achievements of the past year are not measured by the number of hectares, but most importantly by the shift in development thinking. This shift is from a mindset of doing a lot to a mindset of doing it right, from a chain-based approach to an ecosystem-based approach. And rice, farmers, businesses, and the State are not alone; no one is left behind. All are united in a vibrant ecosystem: land, water, seeds, people, knowledge, market, and environment. Within this ecosystem, the role of industry associations becomes particularly important.
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Chairman of the Vietnam Rice Industry Association, Bui Ba Bong, speaks at the seminar.
The Vice Chairman of the National Assembly expressed his sincere gratitude to the Vietnam Rice Industry Association (Vietrisa) - which is not only a gathering place for businesses, but is also gradually becoming the coordinating brain of the rice ecosystem, connecting farmers with the market, businesses with science, and policies with practice…
The Vice Chairman of the National Assembly expressed his wish that scientists would dare to step out of their research labs and work alongside farmers under the sun and in the mud, so that science would not remain on paper; that pioneering businesses would accept long-term investments and measure emissions even before the market pays out, but believe in the future of green Vietnamese rice; and that pioneering cooperatives would dare to change practices and learn new management methods, so that farmers would not only be producers but also members of the value chain.
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Former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Cao Duc Phat – President of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) – presents a commemorative gift to Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Le Minh Hoan.
According to Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Le Minh Hoan, when discussing the project to cultivate 1 million hectares of high-quality, low-emission rice, one crucial element is the change in human behavior. And in this journey of change, the press and media play a special role: not doing things for others, but accompanying them; not giving orders, but suggesting; not forcing, but making people want to change.
Newspapers can only tell stories that breathe the spirit of the rice fields, such as firmer, heavier rice grains, sturdier rice plants, and clearer water in the fields… to help farmers gradually change their mindset about rice cultivation; to help them feel proud of producing rice that is not only delicious and sells at a high price, but also demonstrates responsibility to the international community regarding green agriculture and reduced emissions.
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Former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Cao Duc Phat – President of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) shared his views at the seminar.
At the seminar, many delegates expressed strong agreement with the correct and necessary direction of the project to cultivate one million hectares of high-quality, low-emission rice in the Mekong Delta; and hoped that the project would be further expanded in terms of area.
Former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Cao Duc Phat emphasized that relevant units need to focus on expanding markets so that the green, clean rice produced by farmers is sought after by businesses and exported to the world.
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Delegates shared their views at the seminar.
According to Vietrisa, in 2025, the organization carried out many activities, including developing 148 new members, of which 11 are organizations, 62 are businesses, 32 are cooperatives, and 38 are individuals.
In its contribution to the project of cultivating one million hectares of high-quality, low-emission rice, Vietrisa has developed and put into use the "Green Vietnamese Rice with Low Emissions" brand; and has also issued the Provisional Regulations on the Use of the Green Vietnamese Rice with Low Emissions brand of the Vietnam Rice Industry Association (dated April 16, 2025).
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Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Le Minh Hoan and other delegates attending the seminar pose for a commemorative photo.
In 2025, Vietrisa granted the "Green Vietnamese Rice" low-emission label to 8 businesses covering a total area of over 18,000 hectares, with a rice volume of approximately 71,420 tons, reducing CO2 emissions by 3-6 tons. On June 5, 2025, Trung An Company exported its first 500 tons of "Green Vietnamese Rice" low-emission rice to Japan.
Vietrisa collaborated with international units and organizations to implement pilot models; awarded a Certificate of Production and Consumption Linkage for the 2024-2025 Winter-Spring rice crop to Vinarice in Rach Gia, Kien Giang; and notably, organized 11 workshops related to the development of Vietnam's rice industry towards a green, sustainable, low-emission direction and increased profits for farmers.
Source: https://daibieunhandan.vn/pho-chu-tich-quoc-hoi-le-minh-hoan-du-toa-dam-gap-go-vietrisa-mot-trieu-ha-mot-chang-duong-10402358.html
