JICA helps Vietnam develop new rice variety

Japan today (October 27) signed a technical cooperation project to transfer its most advanced technology to develop new rice varieties in the midlands and mountainous areas in north Vietnam.

The project is carried out for five years from 2010 to 2015 with the budget of $4.6 million provided by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

“In this project, we will transfer our most advanced technology known as rice breeding selection method with DNA Marker Assisted Selection (MAS) to Hanoi University of Agriculture,” said Tsuno Motonori, chief representative of JICA Vietnam.

“With such technology, we aim to produce short-term, high yield and highly resistant to disease rice varieties that adapt to natural conditions of the midland and mountainous areas in the north Vietnam,” Motonori added.

Pham Van Cuong, who is one of the six Vietnamese scientists involved in the project, said the new technology and equipments would allow the scientists to produce new improved rice varieties for all regions in the country.

“I believe that through this project, Hanoi University of Agriculture will succeed in the selection of new improved rice varieties not only in the midlands and mountain areas of north Vietnam but also in other regions in Vietnam. And all the high technology, experience achieved from the project by Hanoi University of Agriculture will be applied in the nationwide,” said Cuong.

Despite being a rice export country, Vietnam is facing challenges in term of food security. More rice is needed to meet the expanding population which grows 1 per cent per year in Vietnam.

In the meantime, Vietnam is among countries most affected by global climate change. As a result, rice production has been decreased due to lack of water and soil erosion caused by deforestation, draught and flood.

In the country’s midlands and mountainous areas, rice production can afford only 70 percent of the population. 40 per cent of land area is able to grow one crop a year and productivity is still low. – VIR

Tags: JICA, Vietnam rice