New rice varieties of Border soldier Huong Phung create prosperous golden seasons

Huong Phung Commune has 1,638 households with 6,125 people, of which the Van Kieu ethnic group accounts for over 55% and poor and near-poor households account for over 35%. It is a locality with 155.1 hectares of wet rice fields and more than 5 hectares of crops, but due to many different reasons, productivity is low, with an average output of only about 100 to 150 kg for each sao of field with an area of ​​500 m2. People only produce in the Winter-Spring crop, while the Summer-Autumn crop leaves the fields fallow. The main reason is that the native rice seeds are degraded, poorly selected and preserved, the rice plants grow for a long time, are not resistant to pests and diseases, and when the weather is unfavorable, the rice often does not grow, the grains are empty... so the yield is very low and the crop is often lost. Grasping the above actual situation, Huong Phung Border Guard Station contacted ThaiBinh Seed Group to support officers to directly go to the site to research and survey soil, climate, irrigation conditions... to convert to other rice varieties suitable for the land and production practices of the people.

The new rice variety of Border soldier Huong Phung creates golden and prosperous seasons. Photo: Internet

The fact that Huong Phung Border Guard Station contacted ThaiBinh Seed Group to support the survey and research on soil, climate and irrigation conditions in order to convert rice varieties to other varieties suitable for the land and production practices of the people is a practical and meaningful action in the development of sustainable agriculture. Converting rice varieties suitable for the specific conditions of the land will help improve productivity and quality of agricultural products, thereby increasing income for farmers. Research and development of suitable rice varieties will create opportunities for agricultural production development, contributing to promoting the local economy and creating jobs for many people. New rice varieties can meet market demand with better quality, helping farmers have the opportunity to access consumption channels and increase product value. New rice varieties can be carefully selected to better adapt to climate and soil conditions, thereby minimizing negative impacts on the environment and conserving natural resources.

Border guards and people harvest the 2023-2024 Winter-Spring rice crop. Photo: Internet

Through contact with experts in the field of plant varieties, farmers will be equipped with more knowledge about cultivation, crop management and application of new techniques, contributing to improving production levels. After a period of surveying and organizing conferences to discuss the issue of converting rice varieties for people, the unit, together with the People's Committee of Huong Phung commune, reported and proposed to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Huong Hoa district for the station to work with the commune to build a model of "Converting high-yield, high-quality crop varieties", and at the same time, test-planting the pair of rice varieties TBR97, TBR 225 in the Winter-Spring crop 2021-2022 at 2 households of Mr. Ho Van Khun and Mr. Ho Van Phoi in But Viet village on an area of ​​10 sao (5,000m2). With optimal characteristics of resistance to pests and diseases, good tolerance to harsh climates, and short growing time, right from the first harvest, these two new rice varieties have yielded over 300kg/sao, nearly double that of the old rice varieties.

Seeing that the families of Ho Van Phoi and Ho Van Khun were able to grow high-yielding rice varieties that also required less time to care for, people from Cheng, Chenh Venh, But Viet, Xary villages... directly went to Huong Phung Border Guard Station to request continued support for varieties and cultivation techniques. Following the success of rice, high-yielding glutinous corn varieties also contributed to diversifying agricultural crops in Huong Phung. Realizing that Huong Phung land is not only suitable for high-yielding rice, but can also develop hybrid glutinous corn varieties with many outstanding characteristics such as: Short growing period, only 65 to 70 days for a cycle, good resistance to pests and diseases, drought tolerance, Huong Phung Border Guard Station continued to coordinate with ThaiBinh Seed Group and members of Chan May Cooperative, Huong Phung commune to support varieties for 2 households to pilot on an area of ​​1,000m2. After 65 days, the corn was harvested and sold for 5,000 VND/fresh corn cob. After deducting all expenses, the two households made a profit of 7 million VND/household. The coordination between the Border Guard Station, ThaiBinh Seed Group and the people created a relationship of community support, thereby enhancing solidarity and cooperation in production. This activity will be an important step in transforming agriculture towards modernity and sustainability, in line with the general development trend of the country. Surveying and converting suitable rice varieties not only solves problems in agricultural production but also contributes to improving the lives of local people, developing sustainable rural areas and connecting the community./.

Thanh Tung