Certain experts have stated that Vietnam should pay more attention to maintaining sustainable rice production, and not on its ranking of rice export nations.

Vietnam among world\'s top rice exporters

“We should pay more attention to the interests of farmers, rather than worrying about our ranking in the world rice export market. This would involve long-term policies of sustainable rice production," said Vo Hung Dung, Director of Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) Can Tho City branch. He was speaking at a seminar on the issue on November 9.

According to Dung, the countries ranking in the world among rice exports does not necessarily bring about prosperity for people.

Bui Chi Buu, Director of Institute of Agricultural Sciences for Southern Vietnam (IAS), noted, “Rice production in Vietnam should prioritise a stable food supply domestically. And if we are to meet our production targets, farmer\'s livelihoods must be ensured."

Buu emphasised that export is only one aspect of a sustainable and healthy rice production and distribution system.

Concerning the country’s rice export prospective in the time to come, Dung was optimistic about export markets by 2016 thanks to the world’s increasing demand for food.

“Vietnam’s rice exports may increase by 7% per year to reach 10 million tonnes per annum by 2016,” Dung forecast.

Some, such as Huynh Minh Hue, General Secretary of Vietnam Food Association, have pointed out some major agricultural challenges, including the decrease of arable land because of industrialisation and urbanisation, drought and rising sea levels.

According to Hue, the country may also face fiercer competition in the future from other countries. He added that the price of the product on the world market may experience more fluctuations.

He said that the long-term strategy for rice production in Vietnam should consider the farmers themselves.

“It is probably not realistic to think we could surpass Thailand in terms of rice exports in the next five years,” he added.