One million hectares of high-quality rice project aims to preserve farming practices and protect rural landscapes

During a seminar on rural landscapes in Asia, with a focus on various East Asian countries such as South Korea, Japan, and China, participants raised several critical issues. Namely, the rapid pace of urbanization has eroded the intrinsic cultural values of rural areas. On the other hand, challenges such as an aging population and job shortages continue to weigh heavily on these regions. These discussions helped raise awareness regarding the survival of rural communities, which are considered the foundation of cultural identity and food security in these countries.

My peers and I came to the conclusion that the key solution lies in encouraging the youth to return to their rural roots and focus on developing "youthful agriculture." As a result, this idea will extend beyond the age of farmers and represent a shift in both technology and perspective.

"Youthful agriculture" is embodied in the application of modern technologies such as IoT (Internet of Things) to monitor cultivation environments, drones for pesticide application and crop analysis, and AI and Big Data to forecast yields and optimize production chains. Accordingly, these technologies enhance productivity as well as redefine agriculture, making this field more appealing and "youthful" in the eyes of the younger generation.

However, rice cultivation in East Asian countries, once a cornerstone of agriculture, has lost its prominence. This decline can be attributed to the general consensus that rice cultivation is a relatively simple field of agricultural production, whose success is dependent only on a sufficient supply of water, sunlight, and fertilizers.

As someone who grew up in a fertile countryside surrounded by vast rice fields, I view this issue differently. Rice farming is not simply an economic activity; it is also a mission to preserve rural landscapes, which are rich in historical, cultural, and livelihood values. With comprehensive investment, rice cultivation and rural landscape preservation can sustain farming traditions as well as breathe a new life into rural areas, promoting sustainability in both economic and cultural terms.

The "one million hectares of high-quality, low-emission rice" project in the Mekong Delta holds greater significance than a rice production strategy. The project is part of broader efforts to protect and revitalize rural landscapes. This initiative contributes to environmental protection and brings renewed vitality to rural areas, thereby preserving traditional farming practices and fostering sustainable development. To fully understand the importance of this project, we must reassess the state of rural Vietnam and draw lessons from the experiences of other countries.

Mekong Delta faces climate change and labor decline

The Mekong Delta, Vietnam's largest rice-producing region, is grappling with severe challenges from climate change, particularly saltwater intrusion, reduced water resources, loss of arable land, and a declining young labor force. According to a report by the General Statistics Office of Vietnam, between 2015 and 2023, the working-age population in the Mekong Delta decreased by 15%, while the area of rice farmland affected by saltwater intrusion increased by 10% per year. These issues pose a significant challenge for agricultural policies and regional sustainable development.

Although the Mekong Delta contributes up to 90% of Vietnam's rice exports, with a total revenue of 3.8 billion USD in 2023, high productivity and sustainability require more than a high output. The one million hectares of high-quality rice project in the Mekong Delta aims to boost local yields, enhance product quality, and protect the environment, thereby improving farmers' living standards.

Rural landscapes and the importance of preservation

In addition to their role as aesthetic elements, rural landscapes are crucial to the existence of ecosystems: they maintain biodiversity and protect natural habitats. According to the World Bank, improving and protecting landscapes can reduce economic losses from natural disasters by up to 20% in sensitive agricultural areas such as the Mekong Delta. Rural landscapes contribute to climate regulation, disaster mitigation, and biodiversity preservation. Accordingly, these factors directly impact agricultural production and community livelihoods.

Rural landscapes also possess irreplaceable cultural values. Outside their purpose as land for agricultural production, rural landscapes hold significant traditional values, customs, and practices, including rice farming and community cultural activities. As a result, protecting rural landscapes means protecting these values, preserving local cultural identity, and building a strong foundation for sustainable development.

Moreover, rural landscapes play a crucial role in eco-tourism development, providing farmers with additional income. Notably, models of eco-tourism combined with clean rice farming in Can Tho City attracted nearly 1 million visitors in 2022, generating over 1,500 billion VND in revenue. This level of success is evidence of the synergy between rural landscape preservation and economic growth through tourism development.

Successful rural landscape conservation models

United Kingdom: Agri-environment schemes

The United Kingdom is a pioneer in implementing policies to protect rural landscapes through its Agri-environment schemes. By 2022, these programs had protected nearly 6 million hectares of agricultural land with the participation of over 70,000 farmers. Key activities under the schemes include conserving biodiversity, maintaining natural ecosystems, and mitigating the negative impacts of agriculture. Consequently, these initiatives have preserved the UK's rural landscapes and restored ecosystems, contributing to the region's sustainable development.

Japan: Preserving terraced fields and promoting eco-tourism

Japan has successfully protected rural landscapes by conserving terraced fields, a cultural icon of many mountainous regions. In 2022, Japan preserved more than 20,000 hectares of terraced fields and transformed these areas into eco-tourism destinations.

This model protects the environment and provides farmers with a stable source of income through tourism activities, thereby creating a sustainable economic ecosystem that integrates conservation and development.

France: The PAYSAGES program and rural tourism

France has successfully implemented a rural landscape conservation initiative through the PAYSAGES program, which has protected over 200,000 hectares of agricultural land since 2000. This program has established sustainable conservation zones in addition to fostering rural tourism, generating 2 billion EUR in annual revenue. France has demonstrated that preserving landscapes not only enhances the value of natural resources but also creates new economic opportunities for farmers through eco-tourism activities.

South Korea: Organic farming and landscape preservation

South Korea is a model for the integration of rural landscape conservation with organic farming. By 2021, South Korea has converted more than 150,000 hectares of agricultural land to organic farming. These initiatives protect the environment and boost farmers' incomes, with growth rates reaching up to 25% compared to traditional farming methods. South Korea has proven that combining organic farming with rural landscape preservation benefits both the environment and sustainable economic development.

A sustainable future for the Mekong Delta’s rural areas

Protecting rural landscapes plays a more pivotal role than an environmental strategy; it has a direct impact on economic development and the livelihoods of rural communities. Countries such as the United Kingdom, Japan, France, and South Korea have demonstrated that protecting landscapes can preserve habitats while creating new economic opportunities for farmers through eco-tourism, organic farming, and other sustainable economic models.

With the "one million hectares of high-quality, low-emission rice" project in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam can draw valuable lessons from successes worldwide to develop a sustainable agricultural strategy. This initiative helps preserve traditional farming practices, protect rural landscapes, improve farmers’ quality of life, and foster a sustainable rural economy by balancing environmental protection with social development.