Ecological agriculture is the inevitable path in the Mekong Delta

(Chinhphu.vn) - Today, October 6, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment coordinated with the People's Committee of Dong Thap province to organize the Conference "Promoting ecological agriculture and transforming food systems to respond to climate change, enhance biodiversity and improve livelihoods", with the accompaniment of FAO and WWF.

Developing ecological agriculture is an inevitable direction to ensure harmony between economic benefits and environmental protection.

The event is considered an important milestone in the effort to promote the ecological agricultural model in the Mekong Delta (MD) - the region considered the "rice and fish granary" of the country, which is being strongly affected by climate change.

Speaking at the conference, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Le Minh Hoan emphasized: "Ecological agriculture is not just a farming method, but the way we listen to and respect nature. This is a long-term vision for Vietnam to fulfill its commitment to zero net emissions by 2050, cultivating the future for future generations."

From a local perspective, Vice Chairman of Dong Thap Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Thanh Dieu said that developing ecological agriculture is an inevitable direction to ensure harmony between economic benefits and environmental protection.

The province is shifting strongly from "agricultural production" to "agricultural economy", with farmers as the center, cooperatives and enterprises as the pillars, and science and technology as the key driving force.

Dong Thap is currently promoting circular agricultural models, saving resources, reducing emissions, along with applying digital technology in managing growing areas, tracing origins and connecting markets. The province aims to both ensure food security and increase income, affirming its position as a pioneer in ecological agricultural transformation.

According to IPCC forecasts, if sea levels rise by 1 meter, 40% of the Mekong Delta could be flooded, threatening the livelihoods of more than 17 million people. In this context, ecological agriculture is considered a comprehensive solution, combining indigenous knowledge and modern science to build a more resilient, equitable and sustainable food system.

Mr. Thibault Ledecq, Conservation Director of WWF-Vietnam, said: "Food production not only meets human needs, but can also promote nature conservation. By prioritizing sustainable land use planning and expanding green finance, we can create a positive cycle where prosperity is linked to ecosystem restoration."

Meanwhile, Mr. Vinod Ahuja, FAO Representative in Vietnam, said the event in Dong Thap was an important milestone on the journey to build a sustainable food system that is resilient to climate change. He emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships, resource mobilization and translating policies into concrete actions.

This conference brings together representatives of the Government, international organizations, businesses, cooperatives and farmers to commit to action for sustainable, multi-value agriculture. The discussion session "The path of ecological agriculture - from indigenous knowledge to green markets" helps to concretize orientations, creating the premise for forming a transparent value chain, with farmers at the center of the transformation process.

The event also took place on the occasion of FAO’s 80th anniversary of action for food security and WWF’s 30th anniversary of biodiversity conservation in Vietnam. The theme of World Food Day 2025 – “Together for a food source and a safe future” – further highlighted the spirit and objectives of the conference.

According to the representative of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, ecological agriculture is not only an adaptation solution but also a long-term development strategy for the Mekong Delta region. The event in Dong Thap is expected to provide a specific action roadmap, identify a list of priority projects, green finance mechanisms, and strengthen multilateral partnerships.

This will be an important foundation to help Vietnam become a pioneer in the region in ecological agriculture, developing a transparent, responsible and sustainable food system, contributing to realizing the commitment to net zero emissions by 2050.

Do Huong

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/nong-nghiep-sinh-thai-la-con-duong-tat-yeu-tai-dbscl-102251006181451841.htm