Elevating the quality of rice

QTO - Amidst the strong transformation of agriculture towards standardizing processes and enhancing product value, many farmers in Quang Tri have boldly embarked on a challenging journey of transformation, adhering to VietGAP rice production standards, moving towards organic farming, and achieving international certification. Not only have they changed their methods, but they have also changed their mindset about farming, considering quality, transparency, and safety as core values, thereby using them as a foundation to help their local rice gradually conquer domestic and international markets.

From VietGAP certified fields

In the journey to rediscover the sustainable value of rice cultivation, VietGAP-certified production is not only a new way of farming but also a commitment to kindness towards the land, the seeds, and the consumers themselves. Fields cultivated according to standardized procedures, with synchronized seed, water, fertilizer, and pesticides, are gradually changing farmers' production methods, no longer relying on chance but being managed strictly, transparently, and aiming for higher value. And on that journey, many farmers have become courageous "pioneers," including Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh, Director of Thanh Dat Agriculture and Construction Joint Stock Company (Truong Ninh commune).

After nearly eight years working in a commune office, Ms. Thanh chose to return to her farm, believing in the enduring value of rice cultivation in her homeland. Witnessing the struggles of farmers with fragmented land plots, she understood that changing agriculture required a change in production mindset.

In 2022, she established Thanh Dat Agriculture and Construction Joint Stock Company, setting a clear goal: to cultivate rice along the value chain and ensure farmers benefit more than with traditional production methods. True to her word, she expanded her partnerships with cooperatives and production groups in the region to produce rice according to VietGAP standards. The fields were no longer sown using the old method but received standardized technical guidance; farmers received training and were guaranteed product sales, ensuring market access from the moment of planting.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh is finalizing her application for HACCP certification to introduce her rice into major supermarket chains and target the international market - Photo: D.V.

Seeing the effectiveness of the approach, more than 300 local households have joined Ms. Thanh's cooperative model; their income has increased by 8%-14% per crop compared to traditional rice farming. Not only does it help farmers increase their income, but her company also collects all the straw, minimizing the burning of rice stalks in the fields.

To increase efficiency, Ms. Thanh invested in a factory spanning over 1,500 m², a drying oven with a capacity of 80 tons per day, modern sowing, harvesting, and milling equipment, and standardized processing and packaging procedures. All of this creates a closed-loop system, ensuring that the rice grain travels its entire journey from the field to the table without losing its nutritional value, safety, or traceability. Furthermore, she is currently finalizing her application for HACCP certification, a crucial upgrade to achieve higher product standards, paving the way for entry into major supermarket chains and aiming for greater access to international markets.

Sharing the same vision, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Huong (Nam Gianh commune) began his journey with perseverance, determination, and a love for his homeland's land. In 2016, when many households abandoned their fields due to salinity, Mr. Huong was the first to invest capital in reclaiming 5 hectares of saline-affected lowland. He then continued to bid for and lease additional land, acquiring nearly 12 hectares – a scale that many considered reckless at the time. But it was from this very land that the Quang Hoa Clean Agricultural Products Production and Processing Cooperative was born, producing high-quality rice varieties according to VietGAP standards, increasing yields to 12 tons/hectare/year, and successfully building the "Quang Hoa Clean Rice" brand, achieving OCOP 3-star provincial certification.

From fragmented, low-value rice paddies, pioneering farmers like Ms. Thanh and Mr. Huong have transformed them into vast VietGAP-certified rice fields, elevating the value of their homeland's rice. "What's valuable is that they not only enrich themselves but also create a ripple effect, bringing the entire community into higher value chains and targeting larger markets," affirmed Tran Tien Sy, Chairman of the Provincial Farmers' Association.

Let's explore the challenging journey of organic rice.

Amidst the trend of clean agriculture as the direction for sustainable production, many farmers have boldly switched from traditional to organic farming. For farmers, completely abandoning chemical fertilizers and pesticides to return to natural farming practices is nothing short of a trade-off. But it is precisely because of this that organic rice is increasingly asserting its value through quality, consumer trust, and the first shipments reaching international markets. Recognizing this, Ms. Nguyen Thi Mai, from Phuoc Thi village, Gio Linh commune, has pioneered stepping out of her "comfort zone".

Gio Linh Organic Agricultural Products Cooperative builds a model for organic rice production linked to product consumption - Photo: D.V.

Instead of taking the safe route, she proactively registered to participate in the organic rice production model right from the first year the commune implemented it, when the area was small, the techniques were not yet perfected, pests and diseases were more difficult to control, and input costs were many times higher than conventional rice farming. "Clean fields" means everything must be done manually, from weeding and water management to seed selection and soil treatment. Organic rice farmers must accept lower yields at the beginning of the season, but in return, every inch of land is revitalized, and every grain of rice retains its original flavor.

Thanks to her perseverance and strict adherence to procedures, Ms. Mai's harvests gradually stabilized, producing superior quality rice with firm, fragrant grains, meeting the criteria to contribute to building the Gio My organic rice brand, one of the province's typical clean agricultural products. From an initial 3 hectares, she expanded the area to 5 hectares following a linked production model, creating a stable output for the purchasing enterprise with 22 tons of rice per harvest. Notably, her organic rice batches have participated in export orders, opening up a new direction for local agricultural products.

"Rice production according to VietGAP and organic standards is an inevitable trend of modern agriculture, reflecting a shift from a mindset focused on quantity to one that prioritizes product quality and transparency."

"As a technology transfer and connector between farmers, cooperatives, and businesses, the Agricultural Extension Center continues to support the development of rice production along the value chain, linked to processing and consumption markets. In 2026, the center will support organic certification for 10 hectares of rice in Vinh Linh commune and implement a 5-hectare rice-shrimp model in Gio Linh commune with the aim of achieving organic certification in the following years. This will contribute to expanding the area of ​​VietGAP and organic rice, adapting to climate change, and building a sustainable Quang Tri rice brand," shared Tran Thanh Hai, Director of the Quang Tri Agricultural Extension Center.

Alongside the efforts of individuals like Ms. Mai, the Gio Linh Organic Agricultural Products Cooperative plays an increasingly prominent role. With a fairly complete infrastructure including workshops, drying yards, storage facilities, and a modern machinery system, the cooperative has become a crucial "support" for maintaining the quality of organic rice throughout the entire process, from harvest to factory output. With 50 hectares cultivated using organic methods, an average yield of 60 quintals/hectare, and a total production of 300 tons, the cooperative not only produces but also organizes linkages and guarantees the purchase of all members' products at a price 1.5 times higher than the market price, helping farmers confidently invest and expand their scale.

Not stopping at the domestic market, the cooperative's organic rice products have reached many European countries, such as Germany, Belgium, and the Czech Republic, expanding the list of "demanding" markets that accept pure rice from the Gio Linh region. "When the first shipments were exported to Europe, we understood that the quality had been recognized, and the organic approach was not just a matter of belief, but had brought clear economic benefits. That is the motivation for the cooperative to continue investing in technology, expanding the area, standardizing processes, and enhancing the value of Quang Tri rice on the map of clean agriculture," shared Mr. Nguyen Giang, Director of the Gio Linh Organic Agricultural Products Cooperative.

Peace of Mind

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/kinh-te/202601/nang-tam-hat-gao-a1319ee/