The head of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment explains the high price of rice seeds in Ha Tinh.

Speaking at the questioning session of the 34th meeting of the 18th term of the Ha Tinh Provincial People's Council, Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment Le Ngoc Huan clarified the issue of rice varieties in Ha Tinh having higher selling prices than the general market price in other provinces.

Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment, Le Ngoc Huan.

Mr. Le Ngoc Huan stated: The annual rice production area in the province is 105,000 hectares, of which nearly 60,000 hectares are for the spring crop (50% of which uses certified seeds with quality standards of level 2 or higher, equivalent to about 2,000 tons purchased from seed companies, the rest is from seeds saved by farmers), and 45,000 hectares are for the summer-autumn crop (about 20% of which uses certified seeds of level 2 or higher, equivalent to 400 tons purchased from seed companies).

Why is the price of spring rice seeds in Ha Tinh higher than the market outside the province?

Despite being the same rice variety and quality level, the retail price of rice seeds in Ha Tinh province has been 7-12 price points higher than in neighboring provinces for many years, with some varieties being up to 16 price points higher.

The prices of various seed varieties fluctuate between production seasons. Pricing is determined by seed production and trading companies at the beginning of the season, announced locally, and posted at sales outlets. Mr. Huan also confirmed that some key seed varieties in Ha Tinh province and further north have higher prices compared to provinces from Quang Tri southward, as voters have pointed out.

The Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment further analyzed: Entering the spring crop production in 2026, the prices of rice varieties announced by companies are basically stable compared to the spring crop of 2025, but there is still a price difference between Nghe An and Ha Tinh compared to Quang Tri. The price difference ranges from 3.85% to 37.21%, with the highest difference from 34.44% to 37.21%. Specifically, some varieties: HG12 (37.21%), HN6 (37.21%), Bac Thinh (34.44%); VRN10 (35.56%); VRN20 (27.91%), SV181 (26.25%)…

To address the aforementioned price discrepancies, along with issuing directives to strengthen the management of seed and material quality before the production season, the Department of Agriculture and Environment worked with three major suppliers in the area. According to these businesses, the reason for the higher seed prices in the market from Ha Tinh northward compared to provinces from Quang Tri southward is due to the origin of production areas; different seed quality grades (seeds from Ha Tinh certified grade 1; seeds from Quang Tri certified grade 2); and the packaging specifications of 1kg/bag, which significantly increase costs.

To protect the interests of farmers in Ha Tinh province, the Department of Agriculture and Environment has agreed with businesses to adjust the selling price of six key rice varieties supplied in the province to match the price in Quang Tri province when the varieties have the same quality grade and packaging specifications (5 kg and 10 kg bags).

Specifically, the North Central Seed Company Limited has agreed to reduce the price of Bac Thinh seeds to 35,000 VND/kg (certified grade 1), 10 kg/bag, and 29,500 VND/kg (certified grade 2), 10 kg/bag. Quang Minh Agricultural Company adjusted the selling price of HG12 and HN6 seeds from 43,000 VND/kg down to 35,000 VND/kg (certified grade 1), 10 kg/bag, and 27,000 VND/kg (certified grade 2), 10 kg/bag.

For Vietnam Seed Corporation - Central Branch, the company has agreed to reduce the prices of key seed varieties including: VNR20: 36,000 VND/kg (certified grade 1) and 31,000 VND/kg (certified grade 2), applicable to 10 kg bags; RVT: 34,000 VND/kg (certified grade 1) and 30,000 VND/kg (certified grade 2) for 10 kg bags; DB6: 30,000 VND/kg (certified grade 1) and 27,000 VND/kg (certified grade 2) for 10 kg bags.

Regarding future tasks and solutions, Mr. Le Ngoc Huan affirmed that the Department of Agriculture and Environment is continuing to invite supplying companies in the area to work together and discuss solutions to adjust selling prices appropriately, ensuring fairness and transparency among suppliers within the province as well as neighboring provinces.

Continue to widely disseminate information to localities and people to increase the use of certified rice varieties and limit the practice of self-preserving seeds; based on consumer demand, the seed varieties should be structured and priced reasonably to select and use those that achieve high efficiency. Coordinate with relevant agencies to strengthen the management of product quality and prices of agricultural inputs, especially rice seeds supplied in the area, promptly preventing and handling violations related to quality, opaque pricing, and substandard goods to protect producers and achieve production targets.

To protect the interests of farmers in Ha Tinh province, the Department of Agriculture and Environment has agreed with businesses to adjust the selling price of six key rice varieties supplied in the province to match the price in Quang Tri province when the varieties have the same quality grade and packaging specifications (5 kg and 10 kg bags).

“In cases where companies and businesses do not approve or supply seeds in 5kg and 10kg bags to serve farmers, and sell them at a higher price than neighboring provinces (with the same seed and packaging), the Department of Agriculture and Environment will consider removing them from the structure. For cases using 1kg bags, the People's Committees of communes and wards must compile a registration list, clearly stating the information of the people. Even for some localities that have organized bidding to select seed suppliers (according to the province's seed price support policy - PV), the locality needs to add an appendix clearly stating the conditions for supplying seeds in 5kg and 10kg bags. For any difficulties here, please contact the Department directly for support,” said Le Ngoc Huan, head of the Department of Agriculture and Environment.

At the parliamentary session, the Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment further affirmed that, not only regarding rice varieties, but the Department of Agriculture and Environment will strengthen quality management on all agricultural supplies and materials, from pesticides to fertilizers, ensuring transparency and strict adherence to regulations to serve the interests of farmers. He also expressed the hope that the entire political system would participate in tightening management. Furthermore, he urged farmers to immediately report any violations related to seeds, supplies, fertilizers, pesticides, etc., to the relevant authorities.

Source: https://baohatinh.vn/tu-lenh-nganh-nnmt-ly-giai-ve-gia-giong-lua-tai-ha-tinh-tang-cao-post300946.html