Vietnam's rice policy taking a toll on farmers

Can Tho, Vietnam

VIETNAM'S drive to become one of the world's leading rice exporters is pushing farmers in the fertile delta region to the brink, with mounting costs to the environment, say some scientists.

The communist country is already the world's second- largest exporter of the grain, but intensive cultivation, particularly the shift to producing three crops a year, is taking a toll on farmers and the ecosystem. "Politicians want to be the world's No 1 or 2 rice exporter. As a scientist, I want to see more being done to protect farmers and the environment," said Vo Tong Xuan.