The “key” to increasing the value of rice products

Applying high technology and digital transformation to increase the value of rice products at Sao Khue Trading Joint Stock Company.

With over 220,000 hectares of rice cultivation land and an average annual output of over 1.4 million tons, Thanh Hoa has long played the role of the "rice granary" of the Central region. However, for many years, rice products in the province were mainly consumed in raw form, with low added value, and were heavily dependent on traders and short-term markets. Based on this reality, the province has implemented many solutions to reorganize production towards concentrated, large-scale commodities, linked with businesses and focusing on quality right from the stage of seed selection, cultivation to processing and consumption.

In Hoang Quy commune (Hoang Hoa), the large-scale field model of nearly 200 hectares has brought practical results. Participating farmers are supported with high-quality rice varieties, synchronous cultivation processes and especially a commitment to purchase output at stable prices, 300 to 400 VND per kg higher than the market. Mr. Le Van Canh, a farmer participating in the model, shared: "Previously, my family often struggled to find an outlet for rice, prices were unstable, but since participating in joint production, I no longer worry about consumption but only need to focus on producing standard rice."

Another important direction is the transition to high-quality rice varieties that meet the strict requirements of consumers and export markets. According to the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Thanh Hoa, by the end of 2024, the area planted with high-quality rice varieties accounted for nearly 75% of the total area, a significant increase compared to only about 45% in 2018. Varieties such as Bac Huong 9, Bac Thinh, TBR225 or Thien Uu 8 are popular because of their good growth ability, resistance to pests and diseases, and fragrant, sticky, and beautiful rice grains. In particular, Bac Huong 9 variety has been invested in large-scale production by Thanh Hoa High-Tech Agricultural Seed Joint Stock Company and distributed in major supermarket systems in Hanoi and Da Nang, helping to reposition the value of Thanh Hoa rice in the minds of consumers.

Along with improving quality, many localities and businesses in the province have focused on restoring and developing specialty rice brands. A typical example is the production model of yellow sticky rice in Ha Long commune (Ha Trung). With the determination to preserve the precious rice variety, since 2009, Ha Long Agricultural Service Cooperative has begun to implement a trial planting on an area of ​​2.5 hectares. Thanks to special soil conditions with light loam soil, little water, a growing period of more than 150 days and strict cultivation processes, the yellow sticky rice variety has developed stably again, producing white, round, naturally fragrant and sticky rice grains. Up to now, the Cooperative has expanded its area to 200 hectares and organized production according to VietGAP standards, applying mechanization, using biological fertilizers and pesticides to protect the ecological environment and improve the quality of agricultural products.

In particular, to stabilize output and increase product value, Ha Long Agricultural Service Cooperative has signed a product consumption contract with Sao Khue Trading Joint Stock Company and Luu Suong Trading Company Limited. Each year, these two enterprises consume from 200 to 300 tons of Ha Long's golden sticky rice, helping people feel secure in producing according to technical processes and focusing on improving product quality. From a product for the king, Ha Long golden sticky rice has become a 3-star OCOP product with the brand name "Gia Mieu Ngoai Trang golden sticky rice", widely consumed in the national market and increasingly favored by consumers.

Applying high technology and digital transformation is one of the indispensable "keys" to increase the value of rice products in Thanh Hoa. In key rice growing areas such as Tho Xuan, Vinh Loc... many cooperatives have applied crop management software, used transplanters, combine harvesters, modern drying and preservation systems. Thanks to that, the post-harvest loss rate has been significantly reduced, the quality of rice grains has been maintained and can meet the strict requirements of high-end markets...

Another “bottleneck” that the province is focusing on removing is investment in post-harvest processing and preservation infrastructure. Currently, there are more than 50 medium and small-scale rice milling facilities in the province, but only about 15 facilities meet export standards. Realizing this, Thanh Hoa province has issued many policies to encourage investment in building modern processing plants, capable of deep processing and standard packaging, meeting the requirements of the export market. Thanh Hoa High-Tech Agricultural Seed Joint Stock Company and Thanh Hoa Food Joint Stock Company are considered two pioneers in this field with automatic drying, impurity separation, and packaging systems, gradually affirming the position of Thanh rice in the domestic and foreign markets.

However, the reality is that despite its great potential, the amount of rice exported directly from Thanh Hoa currently accounts for only about 5 - 7% of the province's total output. To improve this, the province is promoting the construction of raw material areas that meet GlobalGAP and organic standards, and connecting with large export enterprises to bring Thanh Hoa rice to high-end markets such as Europe, Japan, the US, etc.

From the results achieved, it can be seen that the “key” to increasing the value of Thanh Hoa rice products does not only come from the output factor but must be based on the foundation of large-scale production, technology application, chain linkage and brand development. With the support of the government, businesses and farmers, Thanh Hoa rice is gradually affirming its position on the map of Vietnamese agricultural products, contributing significantly to the goal of sustainable agricultural development and increasing income for local people.

Article and photos: Chi Pham

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/chia-khoa-nang-cao-gia-tri-san-pham-lua-gao-246554.htm