At New Green Farm Cooperative in Thot Not District, a delegation visited the rice fields using the high-quality, low-emission rice farming model. The delegation gathered information about production processes and observed how the Cooperative manages and utilizes straw, following the principles of circular agriculture.

The delegation met with Can Tho authorities, enterprises, and farmers to discuss high-quality, low-emission rice production, circular agricultural models, and supply chain linkages.

Currently, the New Green Farm Cooperative involves 101 rice-producing households, covering a farming area of 148 hectares. With support from Can Tho City's Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and various institutes, including IRRI, the Cooperative produces high-quality, low-emission rice. It then effectively utilizes straw by-products from rice production to cultivate straw mushrooms. The waste from the mushroom growing process is then repurposed as organic fertilizer to support rice cultivation and nourish other crops.

Delegates surveyed and learned how to manage and use straw at the New Green Farm Cooperative in the direction of circular agriculture.

The World Bank delegation visited the New Green Farm Cooperative to observe the outcomes of the completed Vietnam Sustainable Agriculture Transformation Project (VnSAT). Their goal was to gain a better understanding of how to replicate and promote the results of the VnSAT Project, as well as to learn about the implementation of the initiative aimed at achieving sustainable development of 1 million hectares of high-quality, low-emission rice, which is linked to green growth in the Mekong Delta by 2030. This initiative is called the One Million Hectares of High-quality, low-emission rice project.

The trip gave the World Bank valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities associated with high-quality, low-emission rice farming in Vietnam. Additionally, it enhanced the World Bank's ability to effectively support the Vietnamese government in pursuing a sustainable and environmentally friendly agricultural sector transformation.

During her visit, Vice President of the WB for East Asia and the Pacific Manuela V. Ferro expressed her happiness with the results of the VnSAT project for farmers. Thanks to the VnSAT project, farmers have reduced production costs and the use of chemicals and fertilizers with technological support from the World Bank, IRRI, and the Government of Vietnam. They have also managed to save water and labor while increasing selling prices and income. Building on the success of the VnSAT Project, Vietnam has initiated the one million-hectare high-quality, low-emission rice farming project, which presents a significant opportunity for Vietnamese farmers, particularly those in the Mekong Delta. The World Bank is committed to cooperating with and supporting the Government of Vietnam in implementing the one million-hectare high-quality, low-emission rice farming project.

Mr. Nguyen Ngoc He, Vice Chairman of Can Tho City People's Committee, discussed with the headmen of rice production and trading enterprises.

On behalf of the government and farmers of Can Tho, Vice Chairman of Can Tho City People's Committee Nguyen Ngoc He expressed gratitude to the Vice President of the WB for East Asia and the Pacific V. Ferro Manuela for her on-site survey and visit to the circular production model and the farmers' projects in the city. He also hoped that, with Ms. Ferro's attention and support from the World Bank, the one million-hectare high-quality, low-emission rice farming project would soon receive necessary investments for infrastructure development to enhance rice production in the provinces and cities of the Mekong Delta.

Can Tho is also optimistic that the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and local authorities in the Mekong Delta will promptly complete all necessary mechanisms and policies to submit to the Prime Minister for the prompt implementation of the one million-hectare high-quality, low-emission rice farming project which aims to promote circular production practices in Mekong Delta localities while reducing emissions to achieve optimal efficiency.