Straw is being exported to Japan for the first time.

The large amount of straw byproduct in the Mekong Delta, which is usually burned after the rice harvest, will be processed and exported to Japan as animal feed.

On November 18th, leaders of Song Hau Farm (Can Tho) held a meeting with the Japan Beef Import & Export Association (JBIX) regarding a cooperation project to process and export large quantities of straw from the Mekong Delta to Japan for use as animal feed.

JBIX stated that there is a great need for good, clean animal feed for livestock, especially for its herd of over 4.3 million cattle. Among these, straw is one of the feed sources receiving particular attention, with a demand of approximately 220,000 tons per year (processed).

A straw collector in a field in the western region.

"With this project, we will provide funding and equipment to the Vietnamese side, and also send personnel to Song Hau Farm to provide technical support and train workers," said Mr. Aoyama, Vice President of JBIX.

According to Nguyen Thanh Phu, Director of Song Hau Farm, if nothing changes, the first tons of processed straw will be exported to Japan right after the 2015-2016 winter-spring crop.

"Utilizing this resource will benefit farmers and reduce the burning of waste, which causes environmental pollution," Mr. Phu said.

According to VOV.VN