Conservation of Tan Luong sticky rice variety in Song Ma

The Thai ethnic people in Song Ma intensively cultivate many delicious sticky rice varieties, of which the Tan Luong sticky rice variety has large, round, white grains. When cooked, it has a characteristic stickiness and aroma, becoming a specialty in the culinary culture of the Thai people here.

Tan Luong sticky rice from Song Ma district is recognized as a 3-star OCOP product.

Currently, people in Chieng So and Nam Man communes continue to cultivate the Tan Luong sticky rice variety. Rice is planted in the summer-autumn season, from June to July every year, and harvested in November to December. Tan Luong sticky rice is suitable for cultivation in areas with high humidity, and its growth and development period is often longer than other types of rice.

In recent years, there have been many new, high-yielding rice varieties on the market, such as glutinous rice 87 and 97, so the area for growing tan luong glutinous rice is getting smaller and smaller. In order to maintain its advantages and create a source of seeds for production, from September 2020 to December 2023, the District Agricultural Service Center has carried out the scientific project "Research and conservation of tan luong glutinous rice varieties" in Song Ma district. The project was surveyed and implemented in Nam Man and Chieng So communes.

Model of restoration and conservation of Tan Luong sticky rice variety in Nam Man commune, Song Ma district.

The project team conducted surveys, arranged, collected data, evaluated characteristics and built a description of the characteristics of the Tan Luong sticky rice variety in 2 communes. Contacted the National Center for Testing and Testing of Varieties and Plant Products to test pure Tan Luong sticky rice seeds. Selected, evaluated and produced super pure seeds in line comparison fields, line multiplication fields and implemented a number of activities to build a cultivation process for Tan Luong sticky rice varieties.

Mr. Nguyen Van Cuong, Director of the District Agricultural Service Center, said: The Center has built a 1.1 ha demonstration model; organized training to transfer techniques to people in 2 communes on the restoration process, cultivation techniques and how to identify and prevent pests and diseases on rice. The results showed that Tan Luong sticky rice grows well, tillers in a concentrated manner, resists lodging well and limits pests and diseases, reducing input costs. Previously, the rice variety only yielded 4 tons/ha, but after restoration, the yield reached 5.6 tons/ha, ensuring quality and economic efficiency.

Mr. Lo Van Khai, Head of Huoi Cha village, said: Participating in the model of preserving Tan Luong sticky rice varieties, villagers in the village were guided to choose quality varieties. Instead of planting 3-4 rice furrows per clump, planting densely, with many pests and diseases such as brown planthoppers, aphids, etc. like before, in the last crop, villagers only planted 1 furrow, planted sparsely, fertilized and sprayed pesticides at the right time according to the instructions of the staff of the Agricultural Service Center. Thanks to that, the rice area grew and developed well, the rice yield increased from 1 ton to 1.6 tons/ha compared to previous years, everyone was excited. In 2024, the village continued to register to buy rice varieties after restoration and apply technical advances to production to improve the yield and quality of the winter-spring rice crop.

Tan Luong sticky rice is displayed at the booth displaying products of Song Ma district at the first Son La Coffee Festival.

Since September 2022, Toan Phat Cooperative, Na Nghiu Commune, has purchased Tan Luong sticky rice products from people in Nam Man Commune. However, due to low output, it is mainly sold retail to customers who want to buy them as gifts. Mr. Nguyen Hong Linh, Director of Toan Phat Cooperative, said: In 2023, the Cooperative purchased more than 7 tons of Tan Luong sticky rice from people in Nam Man Commune, at a price of 18,000 VND/kg to sell to the market.

At the same time, develop designs, packaging and actively promote and introduce products to consumers. Cooperate with households to produce and register to build OCOP products of Tan Luong sticky rice.

At the end of 2023, Tan Luong sticky rice was certified by the District People's Committee as a 3-star OCOP product at the district level. This is a driving force for the Cooperative to continue to cooperate with the people in effective production and business. In 2024, the Cooperative will supply 1 ton of seeds to people in some communes in the district and Sop Cop district to expand the cultivation area, then evaluate the effectiveness of each area provided with seeds to continue to replicate the model.

The restoration of Tan Luong sticky rice in Song Ma district has preserved and conserved the genetic resources of rice varieties with local characteristics, bringing specialty rice to serve market demand and increasing farmers' income.

In the coming time, the district will continue to promote propaganda to raise people's awareness in preserving the local Tan Luong sticky rice genetic resources. It is recommended that people use restored Tan Luong sticky rice varieties, promote the application of science and technology, and mechanization in production to improve productivity and product quality... gradually building a brand and affirming the value of Tan Luong sticky rice in the market.

Moonlight

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