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19 - 29 July | Starting at $1,000

2026 International Rice Study Tour: Vietnam

Contact Janelle Ruggeri

p. 0427 413 920

e. jruggeri@rga.org.au

Click here to apply

ABOUT THE 2026 STUDY TOUR

The 2026 Study Tour will visit key rice‑growing regions in Vietnam, along with leading research institutions and SunRice operations.

This tour is presented by the Ricegrowers’ Association of Australia, with funding support from the Building Capacity in the Rice Industry Program.

Travel bursaries are available for up to 10 industry representatives—including growers, researchers, agronomists, and other professionals—to participate in this opportunity.

Applications close 10 March 2026.
Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed during the week commencing 16 March 2026.

DATES & ITINERARY

19 July

Depart Melbourne → Arrive Ho Chi Minh City

20 July

Explore Ho Chi Minh City

A full day to get to know the city, visit key cultural sites, and gain an initial understanding of Vietnam’s history and modern development.

21 - 24 July

Explore the agricultural heart of the Mekong Delta.

Activities include: visiting SunRice operations, meeting researchers at Can Tho University, touring the Cuu Long Rice Research institute, spending time in rice-growing areas and with farmer cooperatives.

25 - 27 July

Mekong Delta Cruise

Cruise through the waterways of the Delta, with time to see floating markets, small communities, and river‑based farming from a different perspective.

27 July

Visit An Giang University

Engage with staff and students to learn about local research and agricultural programs

28 July

Depart Ho Chi Minh City

29 July

Arrive Melbourne

COST

Participants will contribute $1,000 towards the Vietnam Study Tour and will be responsible for their own incidentals, including some meals while travelling.

Participants must also arrange and pay for their international travel insurance, passport, and Vietnam travel visa.

All other tour costs will be covered by the Building Capacity in the Rice Industry Program.

WHAT IS INCLUDED

The Study Tour offers participants the chance to immerse themselves in the Vietnamese rice industry, exchange perspectives on Australian challenges, explore potential solutions for local adoption, and bring key learnings back to the rice‑growing community.

The Study Tour includes:

  • Return flights and accommodation as outlined in the itinerary

  • All transport within Vietnam

  • Most meals throughout the tour

  • An experienced guide to support the group

  • Time in Ho Chi Minh City to explore key cultural and historical sites

  • 4½ days focused on the local rice industry, including visits to research organisations, grower cooperatives, and the SunRice mill

  • A two‑night, three‑day cruise along the Mekong Delta

PARTICIPANTS

We are seeking a mix of industry representatives — growers, researchers, agronomists, and other professionals — to participate in this development opportunity.

Priority will be given to applicants who demonstrate one or more of the following:

  • A clear interest in achieving the rice industry’s water use productivity target of an average of 1.5 tonnes of rice per megalitre (ML) by 2027.

AND/OR

  • An ability to identify current or emerging industry issues that may impact productivity, combined with a strong commitment to the rice industry and a willingness to trial new learnings on‑farm and report on project outcomes.

AND/OR

  • A focus on adopting and applying the latest technologies, including data use, benchmarking, and tools that support improved on‑farm decision‑making.

AND/OR

  • Farm, client, or research objectives that align with higher water productivity, reduced water input costs, improved yields and grain quality, lower production risk, and overall progression toward a more sustainable rice production system.

HOW TO APPLY 

We invite those keen to innovate, create impact, and make a difference in the rice industry to submit an application by Tuesday, 10 March 2026. Be quick – places are limited.
 
Delegates will be selected by a selection panel that will consist of representatives from RGA, AgriFutures Australia and Rice Breeding Australia based on experience in the industry, willingness to adopt research and development, commitment to the rice industry and overall responses to the Key Selection Criteria.

To be eligible, applicants must be:

• Available to participate in the full Study Tour on the specified dates.

• A rice grower, rice researcher, rice agronomist, or rice industry representative.

• Able to arrange and pay for appropriate international travel insurance, passport, and Vietnamese travel visa.

• Able to contribute $1,000 towards the cost of the Study Tour and cover incidentals, including some meals, whilst travelling. All other costs will be covered by the Building Capacity in the Rice Industry Program.

• Able to provide a detailed report to the rice industry on your return to share key learnings.

KEY SELECTION CRITERIA  

  1. What specific goals or things are you hoping to achieve by joining the International study tour?

  2. How will exposure to international research and farming practices assist you in your workplace/farm?

  3. In what ways do you anticipate incorporating any modern technologies or innovations learned abroad into your workplace/farming operations?

  4. What is your involvement with the Australian Rice Industry, and how long have you been involved?

  5. What are the main challenges you see facing the Australian Rice Industry?

  6. Why should you be selected as part of the 2026 International Study Tour?

  7. Are you able to contribute $1000 towards the overall cost of the Tour?

  8. Are you able to travel from 19 to 29 July 2026?

Click to Apply

Apply

For any enquiries, contact: Janelle Ruggeri | p. 0427 413 920 | e. jruggeri@rga.org.au

For any enquiries, contact: Janelle Ruggeri

p. 0427 413 920 | e. jruggeri@rga.org.au