Female Thai ethnic director and the aspiration to bring Phu Yen rice far and wide

Son La Quang Huy Agricultural Service Cooperative has contributed to making Phu Yen rice become a key local product.

From 30 hectares of experimental to 130 hectares of organic rice

On Muong Tac field (Phu Yen commune, Son La province) these days, the rice is ripening. Amidst the fragrant scent of new rice, the sound of harvesters and the cheerful laughter of the people of Quang Huy Agricultural Service Cooperative resounded with excitement. Five years ago, few people thought that this land would become a typical "organic rice granary" of Son La, where farmers got rich from traditional rice through clean and sustainable production.

Bustling harvest season in Muong Tac fields of Quang Huy Agricultural Service Cooperative. Photo: Nguyen Nga.

In July 2019, Quang Huy Agricultural Service Cooperative was officially established, supported by Phu Yen District Agricultural Service Center (now Regional Agricultural Technical Station V, under the Provincial Agricultural Technical Center) to implement the project of converting to organic rice production - a challenging direction at that time.

In the early days, many members were still hesitant, afraid of reduced productivity, crop failure, and unstable product output. Faced with these concerns, Ms. Cam Thi Ngan, a Thai woman from Phu Yen, Director of the Cooperative, selected 10-15 typical households with contiguous fields to serve as a pilot model. She and the Cooperative Management Board directly went to each household to mobilize, explain, and guide organic farming techniques and persistently persuaded people to convert. Thanks to that, from the initial 30 hectares with 60 members, the Cooperative now has 160 members, expanding the planting area to 130 hectares.

Double benefits from clean farming

After 7 years of perseverance with the organic rice model, reality has proven that the choice is completely in the right direction. Rice productivity has not decreased but increased thanks to improved land, healthy rice plants, and few pests and diseases.

In 2023, the Cooperative will be recognized as meeting organic rice production standards, with clear traceability and a protected certification mark. By 2025, the unit will continue to meet VietFarm standards for low-emission processing and cultivation on an area of ​​10 hectares of rice, with an output of about 130 tons.

Phu Yen rice products of Quang Huy Agricultural Service Cooperative meet organic standards and are protected by the certification mark. Photo: Nguyen Nga.

Ms. Ngan said: "The cooperative mills the organic rice to keep the fresh flavor wherever customers order it. Customers eat it once and then come back because the rice is sticky, fragrant, and still soft when cold."

This year, the selling price of organic rice J02 reached 40,000 VND/kg, double that of regular rice. High-quality rice varieties are often "sold out" after only one month of harvest; other rice varieties such as BC15, a regular variety, also sell stably at 25,000-30,000 VND/kg.

The family of Mr. Cam Van Long, a member of the Cooperative, has about 1 hectare of rice. Previously, each crop, the family only earned about 20-30 million VND, but now thanks to organic farming, income has tripled, reaching 70-80 million VND after deducting expenses.

Not only does the model bring economic efficiency, it also helps change people's awareness of environmental protection. The fields are cleaner, the water is clearer, shrimp, fish and crabs have reappeared, signs of a revived environment.

However, organic farming is not simple. Ms. Ngan frankly shared: “The most difficult thing is changing habits. Some households with small fields are still worried about reduced productivity, sometimes secretly adding a little chemical fertilizer. The cooperative must regularly monitor, remind, and propagate so that people understand that following the correct process not only helps improve product quality but also protects their own health."

To effectively manage the production area, Quang Huy Cooperative has established a strict internal monitoring process, with 3 members regularly visiting each household at each stage of rice growth to guide and support. Each field is coded, with a detailed record of the cultivation process, ensuring clear traceability.

The smile of the female Director of Cam Thi Ngan Cooperative in the golden season of Muong Tac. Photo: Nguyen Nga.

The aspiration of a pioneering woman

For Director Cam Thi Ngan, rice is not only a source of livelihood but also the pride of her hometown. She was the President of the Women's Union of Quang Huy Commune (now Phu Yen Commune), and understands the hardships of farmers who work hard all year round but still have unstable incomes.

“Phu Yen rice is delicious, but it did not have a brand before. Muong Tac fields were mentioned in the folk song "Nhat Thanh, nhi Lo, tam Than, tu Tac", but the rice here is still not widely known. In addition to the terrain conditions, this basin area is only suitable for rice, so I always think about how to increase the value of rice, helping farmers live better," Ms. Ngan shared.

It was that concern that prompted her to establish Quang Huy Agricultural Service Cooperative, where people work together to practice clean agriculture, have a stable source of consumption and their own brand.

“In the coming time, the Cooperative hopes to receive more attention and support from authorities at all levels in applying mechanization and automation to all production stages, from transplanting machines, harvesting to drying and preservation. Investing in modern equipment will not only help improve productivity and product quality but also solve the shortage of young workers in rural areas,” said Ms. Ngan.

The further goal of the Cooperative is to develop and bring the Phu Yen Organic Rice brand further, so that from their own hometown fields, farmers can increase the value of their products, feel secure in their attachment to the fields, improve their income and gradually affirm the position of Phu Yen rice in the market.

Source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/nu-giam-doc-dan-toc-thai-va-khat-vong-dua-hat-gao-phu-yen-vuon-xa-d782241.html