(VOVworld) - The global sustainable rice production criteria are to be applied in Vietnam for the first time, in large-scale fields in the Mekong Delta, which it is hoped to smooth the path for local rice to make its way to choosy markets. 


The 46 criteria were launched by the Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP) – an initiative of the United Nations Environmental Programme, said Huynh Van Thon – Chairman of the Board of Directors of Loc Troi Group – at a workshop in An Giang province on January 25.
He noted the SRP’s members are the world’s leading agriculture groups, international quality recognising organisations, agriculture ministries of the top rice farming countries, and rice trading businesses. When satisfying the 46 SRP standards, Vietnamese rice with its own brand will be able to enter the biggest and most demanding markets in the world, he added.

SRP Chairman James Lomax said this is an opportunity to provide sustainable income for farmers, protect the environment and ensure food security. He expressed his belief that local farmers are capable of applying those requirements well.