Mr. Tuan (left) discusses ways to develop production.

Nearly 4 years ago, at the end of 2019, thanks to the support of the Luc-xam-bua project, on the rice fields with a total area of ​​230 hectares of Phu My commune, there was an area of ​​1.2 hectares for organic rice farming model, implemented by 8 households of Phu My 1 Agricultural Cooperative. When the project ended, farmers were not interested in continuing to produce according to this model, because it required more effort, more costs, but the productivity was not high. However, organic rice farming brings many long-term benefits. That is, ensuring safety, protecting the health of producers, consumers and protecting the environment. In his role as head of the Cooperative, Mr. Tuan "whispered" to the households about those sustainable benefits. “I understand that it is not possible for people to listen in one or two days, but it must be “slow and steady” - Mr. Tuan recalls the days of going back and forth “worn out” to the households’ houses. “Mobilizing spiritually, while also providing material support, in the spirit of whatever brings the highest benefit to the people, we must try our best. Therefore, the cooperative tries to mobilize to “find” sources. When there is no stable source, the cooperative considers options, such as allocating reserve funds to support households that are implementing organic rice farming models. Up to now, the optimal solution is that the cooperative buys products from producers at high prices” - Mr. Tuan shared.

The dedication of the farmer “leader” was “rewarded”, when from the initial 1.2ha of experimental land, the area cultivated according to the organic rice model of Phu My 1 Agricultural Cooperative has now expanded to 5ha. Currently, the Cooperative is converting to organic production by another 5ha. Always concerned and striving to step steadily on the long road of increasingly expanding the area cultivated according to the organic rice model, contributing to the sustainable development of agricultural production in Phu Vang, the Director of Phu My 1 Agricultural Cooperative ensures the purchase of organic rice products at high prices, so that households can feel secure in production; while ensuring the stages of milling, packaging, and managing to expand the consumption market.

In addition to Duyen Anh restaurant (ordering rice), Hue Viet Organic Company Limited (ordering 10-15 tons of rice per year) are relatively stable customers, Phu My 1 Agricultural Cooperative is looking for additional outlets such as the Phu Vang district trading floor; some retail units in apartment buildings. Recently, some customers in Da Nang city have also ordered Phu My organic rice. In order for the products to "go out" to the provinces, supermarkets, and expand the market, Phu My 1 Agricultural Cooperative is currently being supported by the People's Committee of Phu Vang district to carry out procedures and certify 4-star OCOP products (to be completed by the end of 2023).

The director of Phu My 1 Agricultural Cooperative said: The cooperative is planning an area of ​​20 hectares, for the upcoming winter-spring crop, to grow glutinous rice (a variety brought in from Hung Yen ) according to the order of Hung Yen province. This is also the unit that purchases the products. "The price they set from the beginning, 7 thousand VND/1 kg of fresh rice, is quite guaranteed, so farmers agreed to produce when they were encouraged" - Mr. Tuan said.

In addition, in 2023, Phu My 1 Agricultural Cooperative will also produce high-quality rice varieties J02 on an area of ​​20 hectares, supplying products according to orders from the Provincial Plant and Animal Seed Joint Stock Company. “In the near future, we will also continue to produce high-quality rice varieties (with 2 sets of varieties) on an area of ​​20 hectares according to orders. This unit purchases fresh rice for people. I am very happy when farmers invest and expand the production of organic rice models and high-quality rice varieties; increasing income and also contributing to the sustainable development of local agricultural production" - Mr. Tuan confided.

Article and photos: Minh Duc