Training in Ecological and Organic Rice Production and Trade with International Certification

Within the cooperation framework between the University of Newcastle, UK, and the Institute for Climate Change, An Giang University, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Organics will organise a training program on ecological and organic rice production and trade according to international standards. Details are as follows:

I. OBJECTIVES

• Share technical knowledge on ecological and organic rice cultivation under international standards in the Mekong Delta.
• Provide a platform for discussion and experience-sharing in organising ecological/organic rice production and trade, contributing to sustainable agriculture in the Mekong Delta.

II. TIME – VENUE

• Time: 2 days – August 24, 2025 (Sunday) & August 25, 2025 (Monday).
• Venue (theory): Hall, Institute for Climate Change – An Giang University.
• Field Trip: Tan Dat Agricultural Production & Service Cooperative, No. 93, Ap Kinh, Trung Ngai Commune, Vung Liem District, Vinh Long Province.

III. PARTICIPANTS (expected 20)

• Farmers from cooperatives, groups, and individuals cultivate rice in the Mekong Delta.
• Agricultural extension officers and members of local farmers’ unions.
• Small enterprises producing and trading rice in the Mekong Delta.

IV. PROGRAM CONTENT

Day 1 – August 24, 2025 (Sunday)

• 07:30 – 07:45: Reception of participants and delegates.
• 07:45 – 08:00: Introductions, training overview, and group photo. By Mr Trinh Phuoc Nguyen.
• 08:00 – 10:00: Organising production and collaboration with farmers and stakeholders in organic rice production – Tan Dat Cooperative model. Q&A. By Mr Doan Van Tai
• 10:00 – 10:15: Break.
• 10:15 – 11:45: Certification process and organic rice trade under international standards – Tan Dat Cooperative. Presented by Mr Doan Van Tai
• 12:00 – 13:00: Lunch at An Giang University.
• 13:00 – 14:30: Ecological agriculture and community-based ecological rice transition in the Mekong Delta. Q&A. Presented by Mr Nguyen Tran Thuc
• 14:30 – 14:45: Break.
• 14:45 – 16:15: Developing community-based ecological rice models – lessons from Ca Mau. Q&A. Presented by Mr Nguyen Tran Thuc
• 16:15 – 16:45: Introduction to Regenerative Agriculture and Biodynamic Agriculture. Presented by Adjunct Associate Prof Nguyen Van Kien
• 16:45 – 17:00: Summary, announcements for the field trip, a short video, and an introduction to organic cooking activities at Tan Dat Cooperative. By Mr Huynh Ngoc Duc
• 17:30: Hotel check-in in Long Xuyen City.
• 18:00: Group dinner.

Day 2 – August 25, 2025 (Monday) on field training at Tan Dat Agricultural Production & Service Cooperative, No. 93, Ap Kinh, Trung Ngai Commune, Vung Liem District, Vinh Long Province.

• 05:30: Departure to Vung Liem, breakfast en route.
• 09:00 – 10:00: Field visits: Guided by Mr Doan Van Tai
  • Certified organic rice fields;
  • Rice fields under conversion;
  • Farming tools, equipment, and inputs;
  • Rice processing and packaging plant;
  • Rice and by-products from Tan Dat Cooperative.
    Group photo.
• 10:00 – 12:00: Organic cooking activity – introduction, menu, ingredients, cooking and presentation with all trainees participating. Implemented by Mr Doan Tan Dat, Mr Thach Thien, and Mr Nguyen Duy Tan
• 12:00: Organic lunch at Tan Dat Cooperative.
• 13:30: Return to An Giang University.

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V. TRAINERS

1. MR. Doan Van Tai, CEO of Tan Dat Agricultural Production & Service Cooperative
2. Mr Nguyen Tran Thuc, Director, Department of Crop and Plant Protection of Ca Mau province
3. Adjunct Associate Professor, Nguyen Van Kien, Director of Mekong Organics

VI. ORGANIZING COMMITTEE & ASSIGNMENTS

1. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Kien – Director, Mekong Organics – Co-organiser.
2. MSc. Trinh Phuoc Nguyen – Deputy Director, Institute for Climate Change – Co-organiser.
3. MSc. Huynh Ngoc Duc – Lecturer, Faculty of Agriculture, An Giang University – Program content design, expert liaison, trainee selection, feedback and evaluation.
4. Dr. Pham Xuan Phu – Lecturer, Faculty of Agriculture, An Giang University – Logistics (venue, refreshments, travel, meals, accommodation).
5. Eng. Nguyen Minh Dang – Mekong Organics Project Manager– Finance.
6. Eng. Phan Van Dai – Mekong Organics project officer– Communications, trainee liaison, certificates.
7. Mr. Thach Thien – Chef, Mekong Organics Chef Program – Menu design and organic cooking.
8. Nguyen Duy Tan – Student, Food Processing Technology, Vietnam College of Industry and Trade – Support in menu design and organic cooking.
9. Mr Doan Tan Dat, Director of Bach Moc Company in Tan Dat Agricultural Production & Service Cooperative.

Program agenda in Vietnamese

Lecture notes – Bài giảng