Enhancing the Tay Ninh rice brand

In production, rice varieties are one of the factors that determine productivity and product quality. Poor quality rice varieties not only cause economic losses to farmers but also affect the Vietnamese rice brand. Therefore, to maintain the source of quality rice varieties, the Department of Agriculture of Tay Ninh province has implemented synchronous solutions, contributing to enhancing the Tay Ninh rice brand, towards green, sustainable and modern agriculture.

Good rice varieties will give high yields.

Dr. Dao Minh So - Head of the Department of Plant Breeding at the Southern Institute of Agricultural Sciences, said: “In the past, farmers often said "first water, second fertilizer, third diligence, fourth seeds" but modern agriculture must consider seeds as a prerequisite. If farmers use poor quality seeds without strict control, the quality will degenerate after each crop. These seeds are easily separated, mixed, lose their inherent characteristics, prolong the growing period, the rice grains lose their aroma, causing the selling price to decrease, and even being refused to be purchased for export. Not only causing economic losses to farmers, bad seeds also entail the risk of losing the reputation of the Vietnamese rice brand in the international market. A few batches of poor quality can affect an entire production area, even the national reputation."

Rice varieties are the first factor that helps plants to be healthy and resistant to pests and diseases from the beginning of the season.

In reality, many farmers use poor quality rice seeds, which not only affects productivity but also increases production costs. Mr. Nguyen Quang Hau (residing in Tan Hung commune) said: “Normally, I only buy certified seeds for the winter-spring crop, and for the summer-autumn crop, I will use rice from the winter-spring crop as seeds. Therefore, in the summer-autumn crop, I have to hire workers to cut the tail rice, weed, and plant the rice, etc. Production costs increase but productivity decreases, the rice grains are not beautiful, and traders buy at low prices. Calculating the cost of hiring workers is equal to the cost of buying certified rice seeds, so for the past few years, I have been buying certified rice seeds for sowing, both for peace of mind and to ensure quality.”

Rice yield is the top concern of farmers, while the first factor to achieve yield is to choose quality varieties that are suitable for the ecological conditions of the region. Rice yield is influenced by four main components: Number of panicles per unit area, number of grains per panicle, percentage of filled grains and grain weight.

However, according to research by professional agencies, whether or not a variety can maintain its purity depends on the growing conditions as well as the environmental factors that the rice plant must endure. Because of this, many rice varieties have degenerated, affecting productivity and reducing farmers' income.

In the 2024-2025 Winter-Spring crop, the province implemented 67 models with a total area of ​​2,708.6 hectares/1,096 households. As a result, the models were supported with certified seeds, so the seeds had a high purity of 96-98%, the germination rate reached 95-98%, the rice was level with the top, and the uniformity was good. The average yield reached 7.23-7.65 tons/ha, 0.13-0.18 tons/ha higher than outside the model. The average profit in the model reached 27.8-31.36 million VND/ha, an increase of 1.3-2.5 million VND/ha compared to outside the model.

In the 2025 Summer-Autumn crop, the province will implement 87 models, with a total area of ​​3,523.55 hectares/1,681 households. The models are supported with certified seeds, so the seeds have a high purity of 94-98%, the germination rate is from 94-97%, the rice is level with the top, and the uniformity is good. The average yield is 5.2-6.1 tons/ha, compared to outside the model, the yield is equal to or higher than 0.15 tons/ha. The average profit in the model is 12.2-16.6 million VND/ha, an increase of 1-2 million VND/ha compared to outside the model.

Research, restore and test high quality rice varieties

Faced with the degeneration of rice varieties, in recent years, the Hoa Phu Research and Experimental Farm has made efforts to research, restore, and test high-quality rice varieties. Deputy Head of the Agricultural Extension Department, Provincial Agricultural Extension and Agricultural Services Center Nguyen Thi Lan said: “The Farm is conducting trials, demonstrations, and testing of new rice varieties, while maintaining and producing rice varieties from super-original to certified levels that are being produced in large quantities in the market. The Farm focuses on restoring the IR4625 glutinous rice variety from production. That means, the Farm will retain the original varietal characteristics of IR4625 glutinous rice such as clusters of rice, sticky rice grains, opacity, and high yield. To restore this glutinous rice variety, the Farm will experience at least 3 production seasons to produce super-original varieties.”

With efforts and determination, the Farm maintains the original breed level, with many local specialty rice varieties; maintains the identification certification of 4 varieties: LA2, LA5, MLA1, PLA2 and 3 varieties originating from the Taiwan cooperation program: IR4625, R33, R78 and 1 control variety OM4900.

Deputy Director of the Provincial Agricultural Extension and Agricultural Services Center Vo Thanh Nghia informed: “The rice varieties at the Farm are all of high quality, have good resistance to pests and diseases, and stable productivity. High quality rice varieties have demonstrated clear economic value in the fields. Many familiar names to farmers such as ST25, ST24, IR4625, etc. have brought high value, and the cultivated area is increasing day by day”.

Changing production practices

In addition to doing a good job in researching, restoring, and testing high-quality rice varieties, the Provincial Agricultural Extension and Agricultural Services Center also fully implements policies to support prices of high-quality rice varieties and achieve certification levels.

To participate in the model, farmers need to meet the following conditions: farmers must be from communes in high-quality rice areas according to the province's planning; rice production areas have a low rate of using certified varieties and low-quality rice production areas need to convert varieties to suit market demand.

In particular, farmers must voluntarily participate, follow instructions and commit to investing enough counterpart capital to implement the model.

Farmers increasingly use certified and super-primary rice varieties

Each model has an area of ​​30-50 hectares (total support amount not exceeding 40 million VND/model); each participating household has an area of ​​0.5-3 hectares. The supported varieties for implementation are IR4625, OM18, OM5451, ST24, ST25, Nang Hoa 9, Dai Thom 8, etc. When participating in the model, farmers will be supported with seed prices according to regulations when purchasing rice seeds from certified level or higher.

Mr. Nguyen Van Thanh - Head of Hamlet 2, Nhon Ninh Commune, said: "Hamlet 2 has a total agricultural production area of ​​nearly 240 hectares. Previously, farmers mainly used rice from the previous crop as seeds for the next crop. Since receiving support from the provincial Department of Agriculture for rice seed prices along with the propaganda efforts of the local government, farmers have focused on sowing certified rice varieties and applying science and technology in production."

The 2025-2026 Winter-Spring rice crop is starting, the provincial Department of Agriculture recommends that farmers use certified rice varieties and a reasonable variety structure; in addition to prioritizing the production of rice varieties suitable for the crop structure and market, it is necessary to pay attention to varieties suitable for water resources and saline intrusion.

Specifically, farmers are recommended to use the following rice varieties: fragrant rice and glutinous rice varieties: ST25, ST24, RVT, VD20 and glutinous rice; high-yield, high-quality, and lightly fragrant rice varieties: OM4900, OM5451, OM7347, Dai Thom 8, Nang Hoa 9; rice varieties that are quite resistant to drought and salinity: OM6976, OM576,...

Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment Dinh Thi Phuong Khanh affirmed: “Using quality, certified rice varieties and reducing the amount of seed sown are the first requirements for healthy rice plants right from the beginning of the season. Reducing the amount of seed sown not only saves costs but also contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Previously, the sowing rate in many places was up to 100-150kg/ha, but now, thanks to modern equipment and increased public awareness, many models have reduced it to 80-100kg/ha, even some models are 60-70kg/ha while still maintaining productivity.

Therefore, localities and specialized sectors need to promote information and propaganda so that farmers understand the role of rice varieties and sowing density; continue to transfer science and technology; focus on improving research capacity, promoting cooperation between the State, research institutes and enterprises in the field of research, testing and restoration of high-quality rice varieties;…”./.

The province requires localities to proactively arrange rice production seasons in accordance with local conditions, flexibly adapting to changes in water resources for production according to the common crop calendar for the whole province. In which:

- Phase 1 from October 10 to 20, 2025 for communes in hill and border areas, some communes that may lack irrigation water at the end of the crop.

- Phase 2 from November 8 to 18, 2025 for communes in medium-land areas and dike areas.

- Phase 3 from December 5 to 20, 2025 for communes in areas where the dike is not yet closed and the remaining communes of the province.

Le Ngoc

Source: https://baolongan.vn/nang-tam-thuong-hieu-lua-gao-tay-ninh-a207661.html