(Image: TTXVN)

On the evening of December 12, the Vietnam-Hau Giang International Rice Industry Festival 2023 officially opened in the city. Vi Thanh, Hau Giang province.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan, Secretary of Hau Giang Provincial Party Committee Nghiem Xuan Thanh, leaders of central and local ministries and branches; Ministers, deputy ministers and ambassadors of countries, leaders of international organizations attended the ceremony.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh expressed: The International Festival of Vietnam Rice Industry - Hau Giang 2023 aims to promote the image of the country and Vietnamese people as friendly, industrious, hospitable, and labor-loving. At the same time, the Festival also promotes Vietnam's thousands of years of wet rice civilization. Furthermore, Vietnam is committed to demonstrating its responsibility against the challenge of global climate change, ensuring global food security.

Paying special attention to the International Festival of Vietnam Rice Industry - Hau Giang 2023, from Hanoi, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh sent a message at the opening ceremony. The Prime Minister emphasized: "The International Festival of Vietnam Rice Industry - Hau Giang 2023 aims to promote the image of the country and people of Vietnam as friendly, industrious, hospitable, loving labor and promoting civilization." Vietnam's thousands of years of wet rice. Vietnam is also the first country to build and develop a plan for 1 million hectares of high-quality and low-emission rice, contributing to improving the spiritual life of the people. This is also a mission. It's a universal, all-people service. Demonstrating our international responsibility in combating climate change and building low-emission agriculture." 

Last November, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh approved the Sustainable Development Project of 1 million hectares specializing in high-quality and low-emission rice cultivation associated with green growth in the Mekong Delta until 2030.

Bộ trưởng Bộ NN&PTNT Lê Minh Hoan phát biểu tại lễ khai mạc (Ảnh: baochinhphu.vn)

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan shared: Rice has made Vietnam one of the leading exporters in terms of output and quality. Vietnamese rice was honored in the group of the best rice in the world, thanks to the diligent and diligent contributions of many people attached to their homeland's rice crop, from farmers, direct production cooperatives, and experts. , scientists, traders from everywhere to the business community..., along with a series of mechanisms and policies of the Party and State, have awakened the potential of the rice industry.

"Currently, facing the challenges of climate change, market fluctuations, and shifting consumer trends, the rice industry value chain needs flexible adaptations to become professional and sustainable. Not only creating high quality products but also contributing to creating a stable and peaceful ecosystem", Minister Le Minh Hoan emphasized.

According to Minister Le Minh Hoan, from the International Festival of Vietnam Rice Industry - Hau Giang 2023 with the slogan "Green Rice - Healthy Living", three criteria aim for the future of Vietnamese rice: For rice growers, for consumers, for the green environment.

The opening ceremony was staged as an art show, opening with the song and dance performance "Mighty Desire", the art program was divided into three parts "Sowing", "Carrying the burden" and "Harvest". . Songs inspired by the countryside and accompanying farmer's life for many years such as "Rice in our village", "Love of land and water", "Southern rice scent", "Hau Giang flute", "Singing about rice today" through the performances of singers Trong Tan, Cam Ly, Huong Giang, Trinh Nui, Le Minh Ngoc, Nhu Y, Thanh Nhuong... has once again added brilliant color to the beauty. beautiful Vietnamese rice in the era of integration.

Lễ khai mạc Festival Quốc tế ngành hàng lúa gạo Việt Nam - Hậu Giang 2023 (Ảnh: baochinhphu.vn)

Taking place from December 11-15, this year's Festival is the largest and largest event during the 14-year journey since the first Rice Festival held in 2009.

Vietnam's journey from a starving country to becoming one of the world's leading food-reliant and exporting countries is highly appreciated by other countries and international organizations and wants to share its experiences. experience and cooperation with Vietnam.

With a rice export volume of 6-8 million tons/year, Vietnam is currently in the top 3 rice exporting countries in the world, second only to India and Thailand. At some times, Vietnam also rose to the 2nd position in the world in terms of rice export volume.

Vietnam's rice productivity has reached a high level in the world, increasing from 4.88 tons/ha in 2008 to 6.07 tons/ha in 2023. Each year the average export is over 6 million tons/year, alone In the first 11 months of 2023, Vietnam exported 7.8 million tons of rice with a value of 4.4 billion USD. Vietnamese rice grains are present in markets from Asia, Europe, America to Africa.

Not only does production increase, Vietnam's rice price also increases along with rice quality. The average rice export price in the first 8 months of 2023 reached 542 USD/ton, an increase of 11.5% over the same period in 2022. This is also the year with the highest average export price in history after more than 30 years. The flow of Vietnamese rice reaches out to the world.

Besides output, quality is constantly improved, meeting the requirements of most high-end markets. More than 90% of Vietnamese rice exports today are high quality goods, affirming the position of Vietnamese rice in the world market.

The success of Vietnam's rice industry is the crystallization of the tireless contributions of rice farmers, scientists, managers, processing and trading enterprises and the support and assistance. precious international friends.

Vietnam is always ready to cooperate and share experiences with other countries in the field of agriculture in general and rice production in particular; At the same time, we hope that developed countries and international organizations will continue to support Vietnam in building a greener, more sustainable rice industry and food system, contributing to the successful implementation of protection commitments. environment, effectively respond to climate change and for a world without poverty./.

Source: baochinhphu.vn (Hải Minh)