Rice prices in the Mekong Delta provinces remained stable at the end of the week after a slight increase yesterday. Currently, some localities are actively proposing solutions to overcome difficulties in rice consumption, and warehouses are also opening to buy more rice. Some localities have also implemented activities to support farmers in harvesting rice most conveniently. Typically, Thoai Son District, An Giang, applies the following measures: Regarding the transportation, harvesting and circulation of rice, applying the principle of using combine harvesters and workers to harvest rice in each commune. Before combine harvesters and workers harvest rice, rapid testing must be performed – testing costs are covered by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of An Giang. For water transport vehicles to purchase rice in the province, rapid testing must be performed when entering the district according to regulations. The cost of Covid-19 testing is paid by traders (or businesses). When traders (or businesses) in the province travel to purchase rice in the province, they will not be quarantined when returning to the locality. Regarding loading and unloading of rice, follow the “4 on-site” principle, using local labor forces. Establish rice loading and unloading teams, in which priority is given to loading and unloading labor forces in the commune to participate in these teams and conduct rapid testing support for these subjects to support the harvesting and transportation of rice during the complicated developments of the Covid-19 epidemic. In addition, the purchase of reserve rice from the proposal of the Ministry of Industry and Trade has not yet been implemented. “Currently, of the 10 largest exporting enterprises on the list of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, there are two enterprises, the Northern Food Corporation and the Southern Food Corporation (Vinafood 1 and Vinafood 2), but these two units are “inactive”, the warehouse is empty for unknown reasons”. Hopefully the Corporations will soon have solutions to help farmers overcome this difficult period.
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