Evaluation of rice production towards VietGAP standards in the Mekong delta

Abstract

The study, conducted in threeecological sub-regions (flood, alluvial, and acid sulphate zones) in the Mekong delta region, aims to evaluate the efficiency of VietGAP practice to benefit, safe food and environment in paddy production. The research was demonstrated in three cooperatives, including Tan Cuong cooperative, Tam Nong district, Dong Thap province (flood zone);Khiet Tam cooperative, Vinh Thanh district, Can Tho city (alluvial zone); and Phuoc Trung cooperative, Chau Thanh A district, Hau Giang province (acid sulphate zone). At each cooperative, the rice VietGAP model (1 ha) was compared with the rice traditional model (1 ha) and collected the field diary record of 30 rice VietGAP model households and 30 rice traditional model households. Data were collected, analysed for evaluating technical, financial, and environmental effects. The results showed that applying VietGAP standards in paddy production obtained many benefits such as decreasing seed rate, fertiliser application, and pesticide use, and increasing rice yield by 2%. The profit of farmers applying VietGAP standards was raised by 28% compared to farmers not following the VietGAP practices. Thanks to reducing the number of times spraying pesticides, it reduced pesticide residues in rice grain, soil, and water at the end of the crop. Thus, rice production in the direction of VietGAP can increase profit, safe food and environment.