Organic rice and duck farming: A new direction in the low-lying Dan Dien area.

HNN.VN - On May 30th, at the Nghia Lo - Nam Phu - Nho Lam fields, Que Lam Group, in coordination with the Dan Dien Commune People's Committee, held a ceremony to launch the organic rice-duck farming model. This model not only opens up a direction for sustainable agricultural production but also brings the hope of increasing farmers' income and creating clean, environmentally friendly products in the low-lying areas.

Báo Thừa Thiên Huế•30/05/2026

The DT39 rice variety, supplied by Que Lam Group, is cultivated on fertile fields in Nghia Lo - Nam Phu - Nho Lam.

Mr. Nguyen Chi Quang, Chairman of the City Farmers' Association, affirmed: "Integrating ducks into rice paddies is not only a traditional farming method but also a modern, environmentally friendly agricultural model. This method is attracting the attention of many farmers due to its practical benefits such as improved productivity, reduced pests and diseases, increased economic value, and environmental protection."

Expectations from the new production model

From early morning, the organic rice fields of Nghia Lo - Nam Phu - Nho Lam were bustling with the laughter and chatter of farmers from Phu Hoa Agricultural Cooperative participating in planting the new summer-autumn 2026 rice crop. The seedlings of the DT39 organic rice variety, supplied by Que Lam Group, were planted on the fertile fields of Nghia Lo - Nam Phu - Nho Lam, promising a successful harvest.

Mr. Ngo Ngoc Luu, a resident of Dan Dien commune, shared that the people are very excited about the local implementation of the new production model. According to Mr. Luu, after only about 3 months of cultivation (from June to September), people can harvest rice and have their products purchased by businesses. This helps farmers feel secure in their production and at the same time creates conditions for developing organic rice raw material areas to serve the market.

Traditional manual rice planting remains the preferred method for people in low-lying areas.

The organic rice-duck farming model is a combined farming practice in which ducks are released into rice fields during the plant's growth phase. This model has been implemented in many localities and has proven effective in terms of both economics and the environment.

According to Mr. Le Hieu, a worker at Que Lam Group, ducks play the role of natural "field workers." While foraging, ducks help eliminate weeds and pests such as leaf-rolling caterpillars, stem borers, and stink bugs; reducing the number of pest eggs in the soil. Duck droppings become a rich source of natural organic fertilizer, contributing to soil improvement and providing nutrients for rice plants.

Furthermore, the constant movement of ducks in the rice fields helps to loosen the topsoil, improve aeration in the soil, and create favorable conditions for healthy rice root development. As a result, farmers significantly reduce costs for pesticides, herbicides, and animal feed.

Economic efficiency is linked to sustainable development.

According to Mr. Nguyen Chi Quang, numerous studies and practical production experiences show that the rice-duck farming model can increase rice yield by 5-15% compared to traditional farming methods. A favorable growing environment with loose soil, minimal weeds, naturally controlled pests and diseases, and a continuous supply of organic nutrients helps the rice plants develop steadily. Not only does it increase yield, but the model also produces high-quality rice, reduces chemical residue, and meets the growing market demand for clean agricultural products.

Rice transplanters have been brought to the fields to assist farmers in planting rice.

For the local people, this model offers a double benefit: harvesting rice while simultaneously generating additional income from duck farming. Meanwhile, input costs are significantly reduced by minimizing the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and labor for weeding. Ducks raised in rice paddies have better resistance to disease, and their meat and egg quality is superior, making them popular with consumers and commanding higher prices compared to industrially raised ducks.

According to Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Tien, Chairman of the People's Committee of Dan Dien commune, the organic rice-duck farming model not only brings economic benefits but also contributes to the formation of an agricultural experience destination, creating an attraction for tourists visiting the locality.

“This model has great potential for replication, not only in Dan Dien but also in other low-lying areas of Hue . More importantly, the model contributes to creating jobs, increasing income for people, and creating a source of safe organic products for the market. This model has been handed over to Phu Hoa Agricultural Cooperative and farmers in Nghia Lo - Nam Phu - Nho Lam for management and implementation to be replicated,” Mr. Tien emphasized.

Besides economic benefits, limiting the use of chemicals in production also contributes to protecting the agricultural ecosystem, reducing soil and water pollution, and conserving beneficial species. This is also in line with the trend of developing organic and ecological agriculture that Vietnam and many countries around the world are pursuing.