Mekong Delta Rice Research Institute is seeking recognition for a new drought resistant variety of rice developed through its continuing research program.

The newly developed OM 6162 rice variety can survive drought conditions and has been cultivated in many Mekong Delta provinces (Photo: Dong Thap Agriculture Seed Center)

The Institute has submitted documents and evidence to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for an official recognition of drought resistance of the new OM6162 variety, which is on trial cultivation in the Mekong Delta area, head of the Institute, Dr Le Van Banh, said.

OM6162 is one of many new rice varieties that are capable of adapting themselves to climate change impacts, Mr. Banh said. 

They can maintain steady growth in different disadvantageous conditions, like drought, flood and salt-affected soil, he explained.

To date, the Institute has created 31 rice varieties that can survive drought and 14 others that have high salt tolerance, he added.

OM6162 can be cultivated in many kind of soil, bringing in an average productivity of 4-5 tons of rice per hectare for the summer-autumn crop and 6-8 tons for the winter-spring season, according to the Dong Thap Agriculture Seed Center in Dong Thap Province.

Rice harvested from the variety has good quality that meets export standards, according to the center.

The variety has been cultivated broadly in many Mekong Delta provinces, such as Dong Thap, Tien Giang, Can Tho, Bac Lieu, Soc Trang, Hau Giang, Tra Vinh and Long An, the center said.