To stop reckless conversion of land suitable for rice-growing to other uses, the draft decree stipulates that any proposed conversion of five hectares of riceland or more must be approved by the Prime Minister. The price paid for expropriated paddy fields must be double the price paid for dry fields. Certain provinces will be specialized in producing wet rice and inviolable rice-growing areas will be established. Officials who permit riceland to be used for wrong purposes will face investigation.

It is Government policy that Vietnam will retain at least 3.85 million hectares of riceland in 2015, 3.75 million hectares in 2020 and 3.6 million hectares as of 2030, including 3.2 million hectares for wet rice cultivation.

Agricultural experts expect the proposed decree to be enacted. They are very happy because it would be the first governmental legal document clearly showing its intention to use strong measures to protect Vietnam’s remaining rice-growing area. They say that the decision is better late than never – and not a moment too soon.

The MARD Agriculture Department recently forecast that by 2020, Vietnam may not have a rice surplus for export. Some scientists worry, in fact, that it may not have enough rice then to feed a predicted population of 100 million people.

The urbanisation process and the development of industry, transport facilities and golf courses has eaten up some 360,000 hectares of riceland in the past eight years.

The need for additional land serving non-agricultural proposals by 2020 is anticipated to reach 700 thousand hectares, potentially including at least 270 thousand hectares of riceland.In addition, climate change may eat away some areas of rice-growing land due to floods or salt water encroachment. Thus strict controls are needed to maintain the current area for rice growing.

Japan has long had policies that preserve rice growing land as essential to the maintenance of its cultural integrity. Now the Vietnamese Government is showing a similar determination to preserve the nation’s food supply and environmental health. It can benefit from the experience of other nations. Though it is late, it is not too late!