The exponential growth recorded by Viet Nam in rice exports over the last two decades augurs well for nation’s food security as well as that of the world, experts said at a conference yesterday.
However, the shrinking area for rice farming even as food demand increased worldwide was a matter of concern and would need to be addressed by more efficient farming models, they said.
Experts attending the conference that focused on rice production in the Mekong Delta, known as the nation’s rice granary, said Viet Nam’s rice exports could reach about 10 million tonnes of rice a year by 2015 or 2016.
The Viet Nam Food Association (VFA) reported that this year’s rice export was expected to set a record in surpassing 7 million tonnes, accounting for more than 20 per cent of rice traded in the world.
Vo Hung Dung, director of the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI)’s Can Tho City Chapter, said that the country’s total productivity could rise to 44 to 45 million tonnes of rice in 2015 with export rising to more than 9 million tonnes.
“Viet Nam’s food security is one of the factors that contribute to the global food security. It will provide more rice to the world’s market using its capacity optimally,” Dung said.
He recalled that in 1989, Viet Nam exported 1.4 millions tonnes of rice worth over US$320 million.
There was a major spurt in rice exports between 2005 and 2010 in terms of both volume and price. The total volume exported during this period was 31.8 million tonnes.
Dung also said that Viet Nam faced the challenge of reducing area for rice cultivation even as local and international food demand kept increasing.
Rice productivity should be increased further, he said, adding that the model of large-scale farms should be applied. If this was done, Dung was confident that Viet Nam could produce 46 million tonnes of paddy and export 9.5 tonnes of rice annually by 2015.
He also noted that recent improvements in rice exports did not originate from production but harvesting and post-harvesting processes.
“Farmers currently know how to harvest rice effectively and minimise losses. The post-harvest potential is really great and it is the most vital issue that needs to be addressed to increase the volume of exported rice.”
Agriculture experts have estimated that the total volume of rice that can be lost after harvest can be as high as 10-15 per cent of total production. At this rate, with annual production exceeding 40 million tonnes, the volume of rice that can be lost is a whopping 2.5 million tonnes.
VFA General Secretary Huynh Minh Hue said that between 2006 and 2010, the country’s rice exports have grown sharply, from 4.69 to 6.75 million tonnes. The growth has gained pace this year and final export figure is expected to top 7 million tonnes.
But, he said, rice exports were not likely to increase next year.
Discussing the future outlook for Vietnamese rice exports, Bui Chi Buu, director general of the Institute of Agricultural Sciences for Southern Viet Nam, said that nation’s rice revolution would be able to contribute to rising food demand as the world’s population grows from the current 7 to 9 billion in 2020.
