Can Tho City is proactively delineating and refining the boundaries of high-quality rice production hubs to lay the groundwork for “shaping” production regions, while also moving quickly to help farmers scale up high-quality, low-emission cultivation models.

Can Tho City is proactively delineating and refining the boundaries of high-quality rice production hubs to lay the groundwork for establishing production regions, while also moving quickly to help farmers scale up high-quality, low-emission cultivation models.

High-quality, low-emission rice farming model in Thanh Quoi Commune.

Can Tho City is the central hub of the Mekong Delta and has around 530,000 hectares of agricultural land, of which 319,000 hectares are dedicated to rice cultivation. In a bid to improve rice yield efficiency and raise rural incomes, the city's relevant authorities are implementing the Project on sustainable development of one million hectares of specialized rice cultivation with high quality and low emissions in association with green growth in the Mekong Delta Region through 2030, also known as the “One Million Hectares of Rice Project”, in Can Tho.

At the same time, the city is effectively rolling out development plans for high-yield, high-quality rice zones in line with its broader socio-economic development strategy. By doing so, it aims to promote the restructuring of the rice sector toward higher quality, develop value chains associated with green and sustainable growth, reduce emissions and improve the living standards of the population. 

The City of Can Tho has registered to implement more than 170,870 hectares under the One Million Hectares of Rice Project by 2030. On January 26, 2026, the Can Tho People's Committee promulgated Decision No. 337/QD-UBND to approve the planning of high-yield and high-quality rice growing areas in the city, with a total area of 179,280 hectares across 66 communes and wards. This lays the foundation for the city to establish specialized zones for high-quality, low-emission rice cultivation. In furtherance of Decision No. 337/QD-UBND, the Sub-department of Crop Production and Plant Protection of the Can Tho City Department of Agriculture and Environment is expediting coordination with local authorities and relevant agencies to review the current status of land use in line with existing master plans. This will enable the sub-department to specifically identify the areas participating in high-quality rice production zones in localities, along with accurate boundary maps and geospatial coordinates while avoiding conflicts with other master plans. The city will promptly digitize maps, delineate production areas, facilitate the monitoring of land use changes, issue planting zone codes and support farmers in expanding high-quality, low-emission cultivation models under the One Million Hectares of Rice Project.

The coordination and review process reveals that 9 communes have been identified as having a land shortage, with a shortfall of 2,115 hectares due to land being allocated for urban, industrial and transport development, as well as for the production of other crops and livestock. Among them, the shortfall is most significant in Tran De, Truong Long Tay, An Lac Thon and My Tu communes, followed by An Ninh, My Huong, Dong Thuan, Dong Hiep and Vinh Trinh communes.

Meanwhile, 17 communes and wards have been identified as having sufficient rice cultivation areas to meet the targets outlined in Decision No. 337/QD-UBND. However, due to existing demand and the potential to expand high-yield, high-quality rice zones, supplementary areas have been delineated to ensure the total area aligns with the city's master plan. These localities include Long Phu 1, Long My, Vinh Vien, Nga Nam, My Quoi, Tan Long, My Xuyen, My Phuoc, Long Hung, Lam Tan, Dai Hai, Thuan Hoa, Tan Thanh, Truong Khanh, Lieu Tu, Vinh Tuong and Hoa Luu.

According to Mr. Nguyen Van Huyen, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Lieu Tu commune, the locality intends to apply for an additional 750 hectares for the high-quality rice production zone. In addition to stepping up technical training, the commune hopes that the city's relevant agencies will support the development of more pilot models to facilitate farmers' learning and wider adoption.

Ms. Phan Bach Van, Head of the Economic Division of Tran De commune, said that to effectively implement the One Million  Hectares of Rice Project, it is necessary to clearly delineate production zones and step up communication and training for local farmers. The commune also looks forward to the city's relevant agencies rolling out synchronized training support activities and technical instruction linked to the development of local pilot models.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Giang, Deputy Director of the Can Tho City Department of Agriculture and Environment, said that alongside reviewing and delineating the location, boundaries and actual acreage of high-quality rice cultivation areas, the Department has directed the Sub-department of Crop Production and Plant Protection to work closely with local authorities and related agencies to expedite the review and identification of concentrated fruit production zones. All data will be updated and incorporated into the city's overall master plan through 2050, with a vision toward 2075.

KHANH TRUNG (Translated by MAI QUYEN)