Fried and steamed: for U.S. rice exporter, grief in the Mekong Delta

Article Abstract:

American Rice-Vinafood, a rice-processing joint venture in the port city of Can Tho in the Mekong Delta, is one of many foreign companies operating in Vietnam trying to honour their investment licences. However following a government inspection, a report detailed alleged violations and they were ordered to pay a fine of 13.9 billion dong, and it was recommended that the venture be dissolved. The incident could threaten gradually improving US-Vietnam links, and illustrates the difficulties involved in doing business in Vietnam.

Foreign operations, American Rice Inc., RICED

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Problems in the paddy

Article Abstract:

Vietnam is enjoying a plentiful rice crop for the second straight year, but it faces many problems, especially concerning its export plans. Regional scarcities fuel inflation, while high overseas prices lead to smuggling of up to 600,000 tonnes annually, reducing the quantity available domestically. These troubles, plus changing land values, pests, and weather, have made Vietnam an unreliable supplier in both quantity and quality. Now it plans to turn most trading over to two new agencies, further fueling overseas fears.

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Good pests, bad pesticides

Article Abstract:

The United Nations-run Integrated Pest Mgmt program is highly successful in Vietnam, where 150,000 farmers have been through its 14-week training sessions since they began in 1992. It shows farmers how to reduce pesticide use without degrading yield, and in fact the IPM-trained farmers average 1/3 the pesticide expense and 4% higher yield than others. They also report improved health, and they can start raising fish or shrimp in the rice fields. Vietnam wants to expand the $2 million program to other crops.

Agriculture, Crop Production, United Nations, Pesticides policy, Pesticides regulation

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