HCMC – Vietnam has unveiled a VND8,968 billion (US$375 million) plan to bolster technical infrastructure for low-carbon rice cultivation in the Mekong Delta.
The primary objective of the plan is to enhance the production of high-quality rice in the region in line with the Government’s vision to cultivate one million hectares of high-quality, low-carbon rice.
The project will be implemented across 12 provinces in the Mekong Delta from 2026 to 2031, excluding Ben Tre. The preparation phase for the project is set to commence this year and continue until 2025.
Of the total investment, US$360 million will be sourced from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, with the remaining funds coming from Vietnam.
A significant portion of the investment, amounting to US$350 million, will be allocated to the development of essential public infrastructure. This includes bolstering the low-carbon rice value chain from production to processing and marketing, with the goal of covering 500,000 hectares of rice across the 12 provinces in the region.
Irrigation systems in the region will be upgraded to improve water management efficiency and support digital agriculture, ultimately boosting productivity, reducing labor costs, and increasing profits.
The project will also feature technology development and transfer, and project management, with respective budgets of US$20 million and US$5 million.
Discussions between Vietnamese authorities and the World Bank in the Asia-Pacific region indicate that project funding is expected to receive approval in May next year.