Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính visits the rice processing plant of Việt Nam Rice JSC (VINARICE) in Trường Xuân Industrial Cluster on Sunday. — VNA/VNS Photo Dương Giang

ĐỒNG THÁP — Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính and the Government's working delegation on Sunday visited a number of high-tech rice production and processing facilities, as well as inspected and surveyed transportation projects in the Mekong Delta province of Đồng Tháp.

Visiting the rice milling plant of Việt Nam Rice JSC (VINARICE) in Trường Xuân Industrial Cluster, Tháp Mười District, with a capacity to dry and process 50,000 tonnes of seeds and 100,000 tonnes of rice per year, PM Chính recalled the Party Central Committee's Resolution No 19-NQ/TW dated June 16, 2022, on agriculture, farmers, and rural areas, which sets the goal of a civilised and high-income farming population, ecological agriculture, and modern rural areas by 2045.

VINARICE is considered one of the units that have been performing well in implementing the tasks of the Resolution.

PM Chính praised the company for investing in high-quality rice production facilities with modern equipment. The rice output is then exported to consumers in many countries, contributing to building the value chain of rice, increasing the value of rice, and improving the lives of farmers.

The company also contributes to building an independent, self-reliant, proactive, and deeply integrated economy that is substantial and effective.

The Government leader requested the company to continue diversifying its products and markets, as well as participating more deeply in global supply chains.

It should engage in deep processing to increase the value of agricultural products, strengthen the close linkage between the farmers and businesses to promote the application of advanced science and technology to move towards clean, high-yield, and high-quality production, for the purposes of exports and guaranteeing national food security.

Furthermore, it is necessary to stabilise the market and prices, build the brand of Vietnamese agricultural products in general and the company's brand in particular, effectively implement the raw material planning, and establish the five-party linkage, including management, science, farmers, businesses (including banks), and consumers, based on the spirit of "harmonious interests and shared risks".

Visiting the Thắng Lợi Agricultural Service Cooperative in Mỹ Đông Commune, Tháp Mười District, PM Chính lauded the cooperative for taking the lead in linked production of commodity seeds and rice.

In particular, the cooperative is implementing sustainable rice production (SRP) according to 41 prescribed standards, such as not using child labour, alternating between flooding and drying the fields using a water level gauge system, contributing to reducing production costs and increasing profits for farmers.

PM Chính suggested the cooperative continue with efforts to push 'digital transformation' in agriculture.

Along with that, it should continue to implement green production, improve product quality, promote mechanisation to increase labour productivity, reduce input costs to enhance production efficiency, and contribute to increasing income for the people.

Also during the visit to Đồng Tháp, Prime PM Chính inspected the construction project of phase 1 of the Cao Lãnh-An Hữu Expressway, with a total length of 27.43km (18.2km in Đồng Tháp Province and 9.23km in Tiền Giang Province), and the total investment of about VNĐ5.886 trillion (US$247.7 million).

PM urged the investors and contractors to ensure the progress, quality, and technical standards of the project; ensure labour safety, environmental sanitation, and strive to complete the project before December 2025.

It is particularly important to prioritise the use of local workers to serve the project, which will reduce costs and create employment opportunities for the local populace, he noted.

PM Chính also inspected the upgrading project of National Highway 30's section in Cao Lãnh City (Cao Lãnh Bypass). The road section is 16.5km long, with a total investment of over VNĐ912 billion. The project is expected to be completed in 2024.

The same day, PM Chính also paid a visit and offered incense at the Memorial Area of Nguyễn Sinh Sắc - the father of late President Hồ Chí Minh - in Ward 4, Cao Lãnh City.

He took a moment to commemorate the merits, ethics, and noble character of Nguyễn Sinh Sắc, an exemplary figure of filial piety, a Confucian scholar rich in patriotism and love for the people.

In the commemorative book, PM Chính expressed deep gratitude to him and pledged to devote himself wholeheartedly to building a strong Việt Nam, where the people are increasingly prosperous and happy. — VNS