After
the reunification of the country in 1975, the government identified
agricultural development as a priority. The Mekong Delta, with its
vast and largely untapped resource base, was targeted and the Cuu
Long Delta Rice Research Institute (CLRRI) was established with
assistance from the Government of India.
CLRRI
was founded in January 1977 at Thoi Thanh village, O Mon district,
Can Tho province. It is based on the Resolution no. 41 NN-TC/QĐ and
named the Mekong Delta Agricultural Technology Center. In 1985 the
Institute took its present name.
The
location was suggested in 1975 by Dr Luong Dinh Cua, a prominent
Vietnamese agronomist. It was to be in a central region of the
Delta, and close to the city of Can Tho and its university.
CLRRI
is one of 19 research institutions and centers of the Ministry of
Agricultural and Rural Development (MARD). The Institute receives
strong government investment, local provinces and has strong links
with many other organizations, both here and overseas. In the first
phase of its establishment, CLRRI received valuable assistance from
the Government of India, especially in training the workforce via a
scheme of deputizing experts and supplying equipment. The Government
of India still provides annual MSc and PhD scholarships to
progressive young CLRRI scientists.
The
growth of the Mekong Delta agriculture during the past 25 years, is
closely linked with the development of the Institute through
researches done and technologies generated. Development of high
yielding and short duration rice varieties which occupy vast areas
through out the Delta, generation and standardization of rice
production techniques such as IPM, INM, IWM, rice row seeder, rice
dryer etc...which broadly adapted by the farmer have been the
hallmarks of the Institute. Over the year, the Institute has offered
many training courses, vocational training and as a good place for
national and international post-graduate students to undertake their
thesis works.
