Illustrative image (Source: VNA)The binding requirements on rice exports are attributable to the continuous decrease in both volume and value of the product, said delegates to a workshop in Hanoi on August 25.
According to Tran Xuan Dinh, head of the Department of Crop Production under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Vietnam exports around 6-7 million tonnes of rice each year, however, the profits gained remain low and the prices of Vietnam’s exported rice are always lower than those of Thailand.
Together with Thailand, Vietnam is also facing fierce competition with India, Pakistan, and the US.
Deputy Director of the National Agricultural Extension Centre Tran Van Khoi proposed loosening requirements on rice exports to encourage the involvement of businesses.
He said that Vietnam’s current regulation requires rice exporters to have large processing plants and storehouses, while in Thailand, enterprises are allowed to ship rice abroad if the rice sack weighs less than 12kg. Therefore, in Vietnam, profits from rice exports are focusing on only big businesses.
At the workshop, many participants suggested the country change the landowner retention limit of 3 hectares as the current Land Law allows the transfer of land ownership.-VNA
