The label is granted by VIETRISA to rice produced in line with technical standards set under the program on the sustainable development of 1 million ha of high-quality and low-emission rice linked with green growth in the Mekong Delta by 2030 (One Million Hectare Program), and verified by commune-level authorities or accredited international organizations.
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A batch of Japonica rice certified as "Low-Emission Green Vietnamese Rice” label was exported to Japan in June. (Photo: vietnamnews.vn) |
Certified rice must meet traceability requirements covering production areas, varieties and cropping seasons, and comply fully with low-emission, high-quality cultivation protocols.
VIETRISA has so far issued label-use certificates to eight enterprises cultivating a combined area of about 18,000ha, its Vice Chairman Le Thanh Tung said at a meeting in Can Tho city.
According to Tung, Vietnam has become the world’s first country to produce and export low-emission rice.
The eight companies are currently exporting about 70,000 tons of low-emission rice under the One Million Hectare Program, out of roughly 400 rice exporters nationwide.
While the number of participating companies remains limited, Tung said, the exports mark an important milestone, reflecting the project’s early progress and the challenges of its initial implementation.
Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Le Minh Hoan said changes in human behavior are a critical but often overlooked factor in implementing the One Million Hectare Program.
Discussions on the program frequently focus on rice varieties, cultivation techniques, irrigation, fertilizer reduction, and emissions targets, Hoan said, but behavioral change cannot be measured by machines or found in rice fields.
He said the media play a distinct role in supporting that transition, not by directing or enforcing change but by accompanying farmers and encouraging them through practical examples.
“If policy is a blueprint, then the press is the storyteller of life within that blueprint,” Hoan said, adding that farmers respond more to stories of real people and familiar fields than to technical terms such as carbon targets.
Rather than emphasizing emissions, he said media coverage should highlight farmers who sow less densely and achieve healthier crops, reduce post-harvest burning or lower costs while maintaining yields, making change appear practical and attainable.
Hoan also described cooperatives as a key pillar of the project, noting that their reform cannot rely solely on administrative measures. He said the media could contribute by showcasing successful cooperatives, explaining management changes, and identifying gradual but sustainable improvements.
The press should neither exaggerate achievements nor focus solely on shortcomings, he said, but clearly outline pathways for others to follow, acting as a practical guide to innovation rather than portraying it as an abstract goal.
Meanwhile, Vietnamese businesses participating in the program need not only financial incentives but also credibility, trust, and a socially responsible image.
Hoan said the media could support this process by recognizing companies that make long-term investments alongside farmers, telling brand stories linked to sustainable farming practices.
Such coverage creates constructive pressure, encouraging companies to adjust their behavior towards sustainability to protect their reputation, meet market expectations, and secure long-term development, the official added.
Source: VNA