Rice output is estimated to reach 25.7 million tons in the Mekong Delta this year, up 400,000 tons over last year, reported the Southwest Steering Committee at a meeting attended by Deputy Prime Minister Vu Van Ninh in Can Tho city yesterday.

Farmers dry rice in the Mekong Delta (Photo: SGGP)

According to the committee, rice export is expected to increase 3.6 percent in volume but decrease 4.9 percent in value.

It reported difficulties in coping with clime change, which have affected rice production.

The Mekong Delta has also met with difficulties in consumption sources of three key products including rice, tra fish and shrimp.

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Van Ninh asked local authorities to boost agricultural production restructuring and fortify the quality of the key products to meet international standards.

He also asked the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to review the Government’s Decree 210 on agricultural investment to amend and supplement regulations, suiting specific conditions of the Mekong Delta--the country’s main agricultural production area.

The ministry should also submit to the Government a decree on agricultural cooperatives, he said.

The Government will increase budget spending and mobilize social and international capital to build important works including traffic infrastructure to develop agricultural production and goods trade, he added.