Preserving the black glutinous rice variety.

(QBĐT) - Faced with the risk of the gradual disappearance of the black glutinous rice variety with high nutritional and economic value, Quang Binh Seed Company Limited has implemented the task of "Conserving and restoring the black glutinous rice variety in Le Thuy district". The restored product will be widely supplied, expanding production, contributing to increasing farmers' income and promoting sustainable agricultural economic development.

The risk of extinction of this precious glutinous rice variety.

Black glutinous rice was once cultivated by the Bru-Van Kieu ethnic group in Le Thuy district on hillside fields, but due to increasingly harsh weather conditions and the lack of proper cultivation methods, yields were low, leading to the gradual decline of the variety. Since 2016, some households in Ngan Thuy commune have experimented with growing it in paddy fields, achieving better yields. To date, black glutinous rice is still cultivated in several villages, such as Khe Giua, Coi Da, Cam Ly, and Cua Mec in Ngan Thuy commune (Le Thuy district)... covering approximately over 10 hectares.

Model for producing black glutinous rice according to VietGAP standards in Ngan Thuy commune (Le Thuy district).

According to research, black glutinous rice is considered one of the valuable rice varieties capable of adapting to many different ecological zones and has been cultivated for a long time by ethnic minorities in mountainous areas of many localities in the province. With its characteristic dark purple grains, sticky aroma, and high nutritional value, black glutinous rice is not only a familiar food source but also has the potential to develop into a branded product in the "Two Excellences" region.

On the other hand, with increasingly developed socio-economic conditions, remote villages are gradually integrating into new trends in creating unique products to expand, transform, and serve the development of service and tourism industries. Therefore, agricultural products of the ethnic minorities, such as black sticky rice, are among the promising foods that will become attractive "specialties" favored by tourists.

Engineer Le Quoc Viet, Head of Business Department, Quang Binh Agricultural Corporation, and project leader, shared: Based on scientific evidence and practical experience, in order to have a basis for preserving rare genetic resources and improving product quality, Quang Binh Seed Company Limited has implemented research on restoring the black glutinous rice variety in Ngan Thuy commune to preserve a high-quality glutinous rice variety, ensuring stable yield, quality, adaptability to production conditions, soil, and development of localities in the area.

Prospects for a sustainable value chain

Using seeds that have been cultivated for generations by the Bru-Van Kieu ethnic minority in Ngan Thuy commune, and to accurately assess their practical effectiveness, Quang Binh Seed Company Limited has spearheaded the implementation of two VietGAP-standardized production models in Ngan Thuy and Duy Ninh communes (Quang Ninh district), each model covering 4 hectares. This is a test of the seed's stability and helps local people access advanced farming practices, improving productivity and product quality.

Black glutinous rice is grown in fields within Dong Hoi City.

Farmer Nguyen Van Duc in Cua Mec village, Ngan Thuy commune, said that black glutinous rice is not only regularly consumed by the local people but also sells very well and fetches a good price. The model of growing black glutinous rice using science and technology yields better results than the traditional methods used by the villagers. The rice plants grow faster and have a higher survival rate. With high yields and good quality, his family plans to expand the area for cultivating this rice variety.

The research team conducted investigations, surveys, collected documents, sampled seeds, and assessed the current state of black glutinous rice production in traditional growing regions. Based on the collected data, the research team developed and recorded the basic characteristics of the black glutinous rice variety from the initial source material. After the restoration and selection process, a super-elite seed source will be created, ensuring the preservation of the valuable characteristics of black glutinous rice, such as: small grains, characteristic dark purple color, sticky and fragrant rice, and high nutritional content...; from there, the elite seed source will be further propagated to serve mass production.

In January 2022, the Duc Ninh Dong Agricultural Service Cooperative (Dong Hoi City) implemented a trial planting model of the DH6 black glutinous rice variety (a type of Cam Pe glutinous rice from Thanh Hoa province since 2009) with 14 participating households on an area of ​​5 hectares. According to assessments, this variety has a short growing season, strong stems, good lodging resistance, concentrated tillering, and a high percentage of plump grains; the yield is stable at 35-40 quintals/hectare, and with good intensive farming practices, it can reach 50 quintals/hectare.

The mission also focuses on supporting sales and brand building. Linking with businesses that purchase the products helps ensure stable outlets for farmers, avoiding the situation of "bumper harvests leading to price drops." In addition, the unit has focused on labeling, packaging, and traceability, creating a foundation for promoting products in domestic and international markets.

Once the project is successfully implemented, the purebred black glutinous rice variety with guaranteed quality will be propagated, helping to improve economic efficiency. Quang Binh Seed Company Limited plays a crucial role in supplying seeds, providing technical support, and guaranteeing product purchase, contributing to creating a sustainable value chain for black glutinous rice.

According to the assessment of the Department of Science and Technology's leadership, developing a process for restoring the black glutinous rice variety not only helps preserve rare genetic resources but also provides a scientific basis for breeding and developing other indigenous varieties in the future. This is an important step in preserving and promoting the distinctive agricultural values ​​of Quang Binh, while opening up opportunities for sustainable agricultural economic development for local people.

Huong Tra

Source: https://www.baoquangbinh.vn/khoa-hoc-cong-nghe/202504/bao-ton-giong-lua-nep-than-2225351/