Announcement of the TRVC Project in Vietnam's Dong Thap Province
SNV in partnership with the Department of Crop Production, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), and Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) in An Giang, Dong Thap, and Kien Giang provinces, are set to implement the “Transforming Rice Value Chain for Climate Resilient and Sustainable Development in the Mekong Delta (TRVC)” project. Funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affair and Trade (DFAT) will be implemented between 2023 and 2027.
On September 7th, 2023, the People's Committee of Dong Thap province, through Decision 912/QĐ – UBND.HC, approved the aid for the TRVC Project, which boasts a budget of AUD 1.425.220 (approximately 22 billion VND). Moving forward, on September 22nd, 2023, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Dong Thap province, in cooperation with SNV, successfully organised a conference in Cao Lanh City. This event officially introduced the TRVC Project to enterprises engaged in the rice value chain within Dong Thap province.
The event was attended by nearly 120 delegates, including representatives from a variety of enterprises, cooperatives, and departments such as Finance, Planning and Investment, Industry and Trade, Information and Communications, Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, as well as the Women's Union of Dong Thap province and the Provincial Farmers' Association. Delegates actively participated in discussions about the project application process and contest regulations, expressing their enthusiasm and interest in this meaningful opportunity for the development of the rice industry in Dong Thap province and the Mekong Delta region at large.
During the Q&A session, enterprises and cooperatives shared their typical questions and concerns related to the scale and acreage of production areas that enterprises have signed with cooperatives. Questions were also raised about the regulations on allowable rice varieties when participating in the Project and the determination of GPS coordinates to meet the requirements for positioning.
The conference not only facilitated a vital exchange of information and concerns but also marked a significant step forward in fostering collaborative efforts for sustainable agriculture in the region. Looking ahead, the TRVC project promises to be a cornerstone in the journey towards a more resilient and sustainable rice industry in the Mekong Delta, setting a precedent for climate-smart agricultural practices.