Rice producers seek to build on net grains

The targets were mentioned at a meeting held in Kien Giang Province last Friday to review rice production last year and set orientation for this year.

Viet Nam's rice output reached about 43.96 million tonnes last year, a year-on-year increase of 1.64 million tonnes.

Southern provinces produced more than 30 million tonnes of rice, up nearly 1.45 million tonnes over 2011.

Overall, there was an increase in cultivation area, productivity and output, contributing to increased rice exports last year, the meeting heard.

Bui Ba Bong, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, said at the meeting that Viet Nam enjoyed strong growth in rice production last year, especially in the south.

To maintain the success, many things must be done this year, including restructuring rice production and production of seedlings, and strengthening measures to limit the overuse of agricultural materials in production, he said.

He asked the agricultural sector to expand large-scale rice production models and develop close linkages between farmers and businesses in rice production and trading. — VNS