Short-term certificate On June 25–26, 2025, Can Tho University (CTU), in collaboration with the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and international partners, organized the conference “Multiple Pathways toward Agroecological Transition in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta Region Rice Sector: Business, Development, and Research Practices”. This event was part of a support series for the implementation of the project "Sustainable development of one million hectares of high-quality and low-emission rice cultivation associated with green growth in the Mekong Delta by 2030". The conference aimed to create a forum for discussion and solution proposals among government agencies, academic institutions, international organizations, businesses, and cooperatives toward a comprehensive transformation of the rice sector ecosystem. The event attracted over 100 delegates from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Environment, and international development organizations such as the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), along with research institutes, universities, and enterprises both inside and outside the region.
Event overview
In his opening remarks, Prof. Dr. Tran Ngoc Hai, Vice Rector of CTU, emphasized CTU's role in accompanying ministries, localities, and international organizations in transforming the rice sector. He stated: “CTU is committed to leveraging its strengths in research, education, and knowledge-sharing to contribute to building a sustainable agriculture, adaptive to climate change, and improving livelihoods for people in the Mekong Delta. This conference provides a valuable opportunity for stakeholders to exchange ideas, cooperate, and promote highly practical transformation initiatives.”
Prof. Dr. Tran Ngoc Hai delivered the welcome speech at the event
Representing the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, Ms. Huynh Kim Dinh, Deputy Director of the Department of Economic Cooperation and Rural Development, affirmed that transforming the rice sector ecosystem is an urgent requirement in the context of climate change, economic integration, and increasingly strict market demands. She highly appreciated the initiative to organize the conference and expressed her hope that the event would offer important insights to support the successful implementation of the one-million-hectare high-quality, low-emission rice project linked to green growth in the Mekong Delta.
Ms. Huynh Kim Dinh spoke at the conference's opening session
Speaking at the event, Ms. Viviane Filippi, representative of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), shared experiences from international cooperation programs and emphasized the importance of inclusive agricultural finance. She noted: “Successful agricultural transformation requires not only technological innovation but also appropriate financial mechanisms and the active involvement of farmers. We are committed to continuing our support for Vietnamese partners, including CTU, in implementing sustainable development programs that create long-term impacts for communities.”
Ms. Viviane Filippi shared her insights at the event
Dr. Dang Kieu Nhan, Dean of the Mekong Delta Development Research Institute, CTU, introduced the conference objectives and program
On the morning of June 25, the conference featured four key thematic sessions focused on strategic directions for the development of the rice sector in the Mekong Delta. Topics included the context and strategy for Vietnam's rice sector, policies for ecological agricultural transformation, adaptive rice production models, and financial solutions from international organizations. Presentations from the Ministry of Agriculture, research institutes, and IFAD provided diverse perspectives and opened up sustainable development pathways for this key agricultural sector.
During the same morning, participants engaged in in-depth discussions under four thematic groups: transformation solutions and implementation roadmaps; digital technology applications and financial investment; policy and capacity building; and piloting and scaling up inclusive business models. The discussion groups offered practical proposals, highlighting the importance of innovation, multi-sectoral collaboration, and support mechanisms in transitioning the rice sector ecosystem in the Mekong Delta.
On the second day (June 26), the conference focused on strategic idea exchange and action plan development. In the afternoon, delegates visited the Kien Thanh Agricultural Cooperative (Hau Giang Province) to explore adaptive rice farming models and sustainable agricultural practices. There, they had direct conversations with farmers, learned about sustainable production organization, and shared lessons from real-world experiences.
Participants engaged in in-depth discussions
Delegates engaged on strategic idea exchange
The success of the conference marks an important milestone in promoting multi-sectoral cooperation, contributing to the effective implementation of the Mekong Delta rice sector transformation project toward a green, smart, and inclusive development. The event also affirms CTU's role as a leading institution in research, education, and knowledge connection for the sustainable development of the region.
Group photo
(Website Editorial Board)
