Rice fields in An Giang Province. The province exports about US$250 million worth of the grain annually. – VNA/VNS Photo Vũ Sinh

AN GIANG – An Giang Province is effectively restructuring its agricultural sector and developing new-style rural areas to enhance the livelihoods of its rural population.

Located in the Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta, the province benefits from vast fertile farmlands and a wide range of agricultural products, including rice, mangoes, oranges, jackfruit, grapefruits, and palmyra fruit.

An Giang has shifted its agricultural focus towards increasing value and promoting sustainable development.

This year it plans to restructure 7,463 hectares of farmland to grow crops suited to local conditions.

As Việt Nam’s second-largest rice producer after neighbouring Kiên Giang Province, An Giang is expected to harvest 4.1 million tonnes of paddy this year.

It is actively participating in the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development’s project to sustainably cultivate one million hectares of high-quality, low-emission rice aligned with green growth goals for the Mekong Delta by 2030.

Nguyễn Sĩ Lâm, director of the province Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said the focus would be on expanding rice cultivation and improving seed quality.

“We will adopt eco-friendly technologies and environmentally sustainable farming methods to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”

The department is collaborating with co-operatives and companies to secure markets and ensure stable prices for farmers.

Co-operatives and co-operative groups have received support to enhance operations, and new ones have been established to strengthen agricultural value chains.

The province targets agricultural growth of 3.5–3.8 per cent this year with a focus on producing high-quality rice, seafood and fruits.

New-style rural areas

An Giang is accelerating efforts to build new-style rural areas under the national programme aimed at improving rural livelihoods.

As of June this year 76 of its 110 communes had been recognised as new-style rural communes, according to the agriculture department.

To achieve this status, communes must meet 19 criteria covering infrastructure, irrigation, electricity, environment, income, education, healthcare, social security, and culture.

The programme has significantly transformed rural areas by improving infrastructure and living standards.

Võ Thành Trung, a resident of Hoà Bình Commune in Chợ Mới District, said: “Since the implementation of the new-style rural areas programme, rural communities have benefited from a greener, cleaner, and more attractive environment alongside socio-economic development.”

An Giang has introduced various farming models to improve farmers’ incomes as part of its new-style rural development efforts.

By the end of next year it aims to have 87 new-style rural communes, 41 advanced rural communes, and four exemplary rural communes.

Two communes have achieved exemplary status so far.

Rural communes progress from new-style to advanced and exemplary levels by meeting increasingly stringent criteria.

The province targets average per capita income in rural areas rising to reach VNĐ90 million (US$3,500) by next year.

The new-style rural programme has also promoted the development of speciality products under the country’s “One Commune – One Product” (OCOP) programme.

Tourists visit the Kim Loan Dried Snakehead Fish Making Establishment in Chợ Mới District and buy the product rated three stars under the national One Commune - One Product programme. – VNA/VNS Photo Thanh Sang

OCOP products

An Giang’s comprehensive implementation of the OCOP programme has boosted the rural economy, improved incomes and stabilised livelihoods.

Many OCOP products have become well-known provincial brands, acquiring strong market value both domestically and internationally.

Currently the province has 138 OCOP products rated between three and five stars.

These products have undergone quality enhancements, carry traceable origin labels and are distributed nationwide.

Nguyễn Thị Kim Loan, owner of Kim Loan Dried Snakehead Fish Production Establishment in Chợ Mới District, noted that her three-star OCOP-certified product has seen increased sales and broader distribution on e-commerce platforms and social media.

In recent years many OCOP products have successfully entered fussy export markets.

For instance, 25 farming households affiliated to the Khánh Hoà Agriculture - Tourism - Services - Trade Co-operative in Châu Phú District grow VietGAP-certified yellow-flesh longan on 40 hectares.

Their produce has been certified as a three-star OCOP product, and is exported to Australia and the US.

The province has organised various promotional activities and established OCOP display sites in Long Xuyên, Châu Đốc and key tourism destinations.

Nguyễn Tâm Tuyết Trinh, deputy director of the provincial Investment and Trade Promotion Centre, said: “We have increased support for OCOP producers to participate in fairs, exhibitions and networking events to link up with new markets across the country.”

Besides, several OCOP producers have expanded into tourism services, increasing their incomes and selling products directly to consumers.

The province is piloting OCOP-linked community tourism in Cù Lao Giêng, Bình Phước Xuân, Tấn Mỹ, and Mỹ Hiệp communes in Chợ Mới District.

By 2025 An Giang aims to have 170 OCOP products rated three stars and above, up from the current 138. – VNS