Farmers in Mekong Delta continue to face losses

Farmers in the Mekong Delta have harvested hundreds of thousands of hectares of autumn-winter rice crop, through harsh weather conditions, but still have to face severe losses.

Farmers in the Mekong Delta have harvested hundreds of thousands of hectares of autumn-winter rice crop, through harsh weather conditions, but still have to face severe losses.

Since the beginning of the year, the country has sold around 4.8 million tons of rice touching revenue of more than US$2 billion. Nevertheless, the quantity of rice in stockpile still remains high.

Pham Hoang Liet, a farmer in Tan Hoa Commune in Chau Thanh District in the Mekong delta province of Hau Giang complained that farmers face many high overhead costs other than the cost of hiring labor at VND4,000,000 (US$190) per hectare.

Thus, they spend an average of VND700,000 (US$33) but are still unsure of sales as most traders only buy rice harvested by combines.

As per a decision made by the government and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to support farmers who have large paddy fields, warehouse for stockpiling will be given free of charge and farmers will also enjoy exemption of land use tax.

The Ministry has promised to adopt policies to bring traders and farmers closer, to help increase farmers’ incomes.

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