A female director of the Thai ethnic group and her aspiration to bring Phu Yen rice to a wider market.

In Son La, the Quang Huy Agricultural Service Cooperative has contributed to making Phu Yen rice a key product of the locality.

Báo Nông nghiệp Việt Nam•20/11/2025

From 30 hectares of experimental land to 130 hectares of organic rice

In the fields of Muong Tac (Phu Yen commune, Son La province), the rice is ripening to a golden yellow these days. Amidst the fragrant scent of freshly harvested rice, the sounds of harvesting machines mingled with the joyful laughter and chatter of the people from the Quang Huy Agricultural Service Cooperative. Five years ago, few would have imagined that this area would become a prime example of Son La's "organic rice granary," where farmers are getting rich from traditional rice cultivation through clean and sustainable production methods.

The harvest season is bustling in the fields of Muong Tac, where the people of Quang Huy Agricultural Service Cooperative are working. Photo: Nguyen Nga.

The harvest season is bustling in the fields of Muong Tac, where the people of Quang Huy Agricultural Service Cooperative are working. Photo: Nguyen Nga.

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

In the early days, many members were hesitant, fearing reduced productivity, crop failure, and a lack of stable markets for their products. Addressing these concerns, Ms. Cam Thi Ngan, a Thai ethnic woman from Phu Yen and Director of the Cooperative, selected 10-15 exemplary households with contiguous plots of land to serve as a model. She and the Cooperative's management team personally visited each household to encourage, explain, and guide them on organic farming techniques, persistently persuading them to switch. As a result, from an initial 30 hectares with 60 members, the Cooperative now has 160 members and has expanded its cultivated area to 130 hectares.

Double benefits from organic farming

After seven years of consistently pursuing the organic rice farming model, reality has proven that the choice was entirely correct. Rice yields have not decreased but have actually increased thanks to improved soil, healthier rice plants, and fewer pests and diseases.

In 2023, the cooperative was recognized as meeting organic rice production standards, with clear traceability and protected certification trademark. By 2025, the unit aims to achieve VietFarm standards for low-emission processing and cultivation on 10 hectares of rice, with a yield of approximately 130 tons.

The Phù Yên rice product of Quang Huy Agricultural Service Cooperative meets organic standards and is protected by a certification mark. Photo: Nguyen Nga.

The Phù Yên rice product of Quang Huy Agricultural Service Cooperative meets organic standards and is protected by a certification mark. Photo: Nguyen Nga.

Ms. Ngan said: "The cooperative mills organic rice as soon as customers place orders to preserve its fresh flavor. Customers try it once and come back again because the rice is sticky, fragrant, and remains soft even when cooled."

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

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

Besides bringing economic benefits, the model also helps change people's awareness of environmental protection. Cleaner fields, clearer water sources, and the return of shrimp, fish, and crabs are signs of environmental revival.

However, organic farming is not simple. Ms. Ngan frankly shared: "The hardest thing is changing habits. Some households with small plots of land are still worried about reduced yields, and sometimes secretly add a little extra chemical fertilizer. The cooperative has to constantly monitor, remind, and educate the farmers so that they understand that following the correct procedures 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 provide guidance and support. Each plot of land is assigned a code number and has a detailed record of the cultivation process, ensuring clear traceability.

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

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

The aspirations of a pioneering woman.

For Director Cam Thi Ngan, rice is not only a source of livelihood but also the pride of her homeland. Having previously served as the Chairwoman of the Women's Union of Quang Huy commune (now Phu Yen commune), she understands the hardships of farmers who toil year-round, yet still face uncertain incomes.

“Phu Yen rice is delicious, but it lacked a brand name before. The Muong Tac rice fields were once mentioned in the folk song 'First Thanh, second Lo, third Than, fourth Tac,' yet the rice from this area was not widely known. Adding to that, the terrain and conditions of this basin area are only suitable for rice cultivation, so I always thought about how to increase the value of rice and help farmers live better lives,” Ms. Ngan shared.

It was this concern that motivated her to establish the Quang Huy Agricultural Service Cooperative, where farmers work together to practice clean agriculture, ensuring a stable market and their own brand.

"In the future, the Cooperative hopes to receive more attention and support from all levels of government in introducing mechanization and automation into all stages of production, from planting and harvesting to drying and preservation. Investing in modern equipment will not only help improve productivity and product quality but also address the shortage of young labor in rural areas," Ms. Ngan said.

The cooperative's long-term goal is to develop and expand the Phu Yen organic rice brand further, so that farmers can enhance the value of their products from their homeland's fields, feel secure in their work, improve their income, and gradually establish 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