INTRODUCTION

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 a premier research institution 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 30 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.