The project will be implemented in 48 months, by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), SunRice Group, University of Queensland (UQ), An Giang University, Can Tho University and Cuu Long Rice Research Institute (CLRRI).
The project has a total investment of over 4.3 million AUD, including over 1 million AUD funded by ACIAR.
According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Hai Quan, Director of the Vietnam National University - Ho Chi Minh City, the development of the Mekong Delta region plays an extremely important role in food security, biodiversity and the environment of Vietnam. The project will encourage cooperatives and rice farmers to adopt more sustainable rice-growing practices in the Mekong Delta region while enhancing necessary scientific knowledge on production practices and post-harvest practices, to optimise rice yield and quality throughout the region.
Notably, a centre for milling and post-harvest processing, at the Lap Vo rice-processing facility of SunRice Group will be established, where staff and students of An Giang University can research and share knowledge in the field of rice milling.
According to Australia’s Assistant Minister for Trade and Assistant Minister for Manufacturing, Senator the Hon Tim Ayres, Vietnam is one of the three largest rice exporters in the world, with about 53% of rice produced in the Mekong Delta and Australia needs to learn from Vietnam about the rice production process, that is useful to Australian farmers.
He noted that all parties involved in the rice value chain will have an improved understanding of the components of a sustainable, inclusive and export-oriented value chain. The participation of universities in this project will also open opportunities for students to study and supplement their knowledge, in fields related to the rice value chain.
