Supporting ethnic minority and mountainous people to make a living from the black sticky rice cultivation model

The Women's Union of Hung Xuyen commune, Doan Hung district, Phu Tho province, has boldly built a model of women starting a business from the local precious sticky rice variety.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan Anh (Vice President of the Women's Union of Hung Xuyen commune) has built a model of "Cultivating black sticky rice to adapt to climate change and protect the environment" to create stable jobs and increase income for female members.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan Anh

Doan Ket area in Hung Xuyen commune is one of the four extremely difficult areas under Project 8 of the National Target Program for ethnic minority and mountainous areas of Doan Hung district, Phu Tho province.

According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan Anh, Deputy Director of the Hung Xuyen Grapefruit and General Service Cooperative, in the past, people grew black sticky rice on a small scale to mainly serve the needs of their families, such as using it to make sticky rice and cakes during holidays and Tet.

When applying suitable technologies such as using less fertilizer and irrigation water, it limits pests and diseases while still creating high quality products with good productivity.

With the goal of preserving traditional products and developing the local economy in 2021, local Party and government levels have mobilized sticky rice growers to participate in establishing the Hung Xuyen grapefruit and general service cooperative. After its establishment, the cooperative focused on production and care in the direction of organic, environmentally friendly production. Applying appropriate technologies such as using less fertilizer and irrigation water, thereby limiting pests and diseases while still creating high-quality products with good productivity.

The cooperative is also the focal point for purchasing, processing, consuming and selling products for members and people in the commune. Up to now, the area and productivity of black sticky rice have increased to 30 tons/year, with a revenue of nearly 1 billion VND/year, creating jobs for many local workers. Contributing to the preservation and development of traditional products as well as the economic development of Hung Xuyen commune.

Up to now, the area and productivity of black sticky rice has increased to 30 tons/year, with revenue of nearly 1 billion VND/year, creating jobs for many local workers.

The model was implemented in 2021 with 5 hectares in 2 areas of Doan Ket and Vinh Lai. Currently, the model has been expanded to 29 hectares with 450 households participating in 9 areas of Thuong Khe, Dong Duong, Nghinh Lap, Anh Hong, Tan Lap, Doan Ket, Vinh Lai, Cao Soc, Nha Hop. The models all focus on production and care in the direction of organic production, environmentally friendly, applying appropriate technologies such as using less fertilizer and irrigation water, thereby limiting pests and diseases while still creating high quality products and good productivity.

"Previously, people cultivated in a self-sufficient manner. Now, people have joined the cooperative to be guided on concentrated organic cultivation and production to improve productivity and quality. Thanks to that, the cultivated area in 2024 is 29 hectares, the number of cooperative members is up to 450 households, of which 174 households are members in extremely difficult areas," said Ms. Lan Anh.

Regarding the method of selling products and approaching customers, Hung Xuyen grapefruit and general service cooperative is the focal point for purchasing, processing, consuming and selling products for members and people in the commune. Hung Xuyen black sticky rice is certified as an OCOP product, bringing economic value and creating additional income for cooperative members and women's association members.

It can be affirmed that black sticky rice is a local product that brings high income to members and women, actively contributing to economic development and new rural construction.

The cooperative has an organic, environmentally friendly rice growing and care process, applying appropriate scientific technology to limit pests and diseases and produce high quality, high yield products. Planting time usually starts in May and harvests from the end of October.

Black Khoai sticky rice has the characteristics of good growth and development, can withstand intensive farming, prefers low-lying fields with lots of water, can withstand flooding for 1-2 days, the plant is 1.3-1.5m high. The ability to tiller is average, has good resistance to pests and diseases, the growing period is from 140-160 days and the yield is from 1.3-1.5 quintals/sao. Currently, black Khoai sticky rice on the market is priced at about 45-50 thousand VND/kg.

To continue developing local specialties and building the black sticky rice brand, Ms. Lan Anh said that the cooperative plans to expand the planting area. At the same time, it will proactively seek and expand the market for products for local people with the desire to create jobs and bring a stable source of income, improving the lives of cooperative members and local people.

The cooperative has been connected by the Women's Union of Doan Hung district with the provincial center for industrial promotion and consulting on industrial and trade development to support the construction and registration of product trademarks, logos, website creation, and packaging design. Thereby contributing to increasing the value of products and becoming daily consumer goods for people in and outside the province.

With this model, the cooperative has achieved "6 reductions", which are reducing the amount of seeds; reducing the amount of nitrogen fertilizer; reducing the use of pesticides; reducing the amount of irrigation water; reducing post-harvest losses; reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This helps save a lot of costs by reducing seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and labor. Thereby, helping farmers increase profits significantly compared to traditional production methods. The product has been recognized as a 3-star OCOP and strives to achieve OCOP 4 in 2024.

It can be affirmed that black sticky rice is a local product that brings high income to members and women, actively contributing to economic development, building new rural areas, and constantly improving the material and spiritual life of members and women in Doan Hung district.

Source: https://phunuvietnam.vn/ho-tro-ba-con-vung-dtts-va-mien-nui-lam-kinh-te-tu-mo-hinh-canh-tac-nep-khoai-den-20240717202656716.htm