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PROJECT “NETWORK FOR AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
THINK-TAKS FOR COUNTRIES IN MEKONG-SUB REGION” (NARDT)

supported to borrow capital to invest in production, buy machinery, equipment, and
supplies for agricultural production23, etc. Especially, when the market price of rice
dropped low, the Government implemented policies of purchasing and temporarily
storing rice and paddy rice24 to ensure income for rice growers25. These policies
helped reduce costs and increase efficiency for agricultural producers in general and
rice producers in particular.

Invest in scientific research and breeding: The Government spent 2% of the
budget on science and technology, of which, about 1/3 of the budget was used
to invest in agricultural science and technology. Most of the funds were spent on
research on varieties (rice varieties) and livestock breeds to improve yield, quality and
increase resilience to climate. Besides, enterprises imported several varieties to test
the production and supply system in Viet Nam. Numerous new varieties with higher
quality and better climate tolerance were introduced into production. However, low-
quality and high-yielding rice varieties were still preferred by several rice farmers.
Additionally, several implemented science and technology projects contributed
to supporting human resource training, gradually improved knowledge and skills for
farmers. Also, the national agricultural extension program applied many technical
advances and production processes that meet certification standards into production.

Encourage the application of technological advancements and safe
manufacturing processes: The Government, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural
Development, and localities encouraged producers to apply advanced production
techniques (such as Integrated pest management-IPM, The System of Rice
Intensification-SRI), safe production processes (VietGAP, Global GAP, organic, etc.),
and the production process reduces inputs (1 Must Do-5 Reductions, 3 Reduce-3
Gain, 1 Must Do-6 Reductions, etc.) through agricultural extension program, technical
assistance and input support program (seeds, fertilizers), standard certification
cost assistance program, etc. Additionally, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural
Development together with localities organized training sessions and guided farmers
to safely use and minimize the use of pesticides in production. Also, the Ministry
of Agriculture and Rural development strengthened quality control of inputs from
imported and domestically produced sources and announced a list of banned
pesticides.

Promote cooperation and linkage of the rice value chain: Individuals
and organizations participated in cooperation associated with the agricultural
consumption (rice) along the value chain were prioritized for development assistance
by the Government26, including credit support, investment support, training, and
technical training, input support for production, infrastructure support for linkages,
cost support for transferring new technologies and techniques (Decree No. 98/2018/
ND-CP). Besides, several production organization forms were renewed, production

23 Decree No. 55/2015/ND-CP, Decree No. 116/2018/ND-CP on credit policies for agricultural and rural development,
Decree No. 57/2018/ND-CP on incentive policies for enterprises investing in agriculture and rural development sector,
Loan program to support post-harvest loss reduction under Decision No. 68/2013/QD-CP)
24 According to Decree No. 109/2010/ND-CP dated November 4, 2010, on rice export business
25 According to Decree No. 109/2010/ND-CP dated November 4, 2010, on rice export business
26 Decision No. 62/2013/QD-TTg dated October 19, 2013, on the policy of encouraging the development of
cooperation, links the production associated with the consumption of agricultural products, construction of large
fields and Decree No. 98/2018/ND-CP dated August 5, 2018, on the incentive policy for development of linkages
production and consumption of agricultural products.

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