Building the 'General's rice' brand

New varieties, protocols, and ways of thinking

While visiting the fields, Mr. Dang Dai Tinh, Chairman of the People's Committee of Le Thuy district (Quang Binh) was excited by the grain-laden rice fields. He stated that in the past few years, Le Thuy has focused on building agricultural production links. By joining the production link, farmers have gained great profits and the district also creates all the best conditions for businesses to accompany the people…

In recent years, more and more models of linking rice production have appeared in the fields of Le Thuy district (Quang Binh) and attracted the attention of many farmers. The model of production linkage has helped farmers to form creative thinking about farming. In this year's winter-spring crop, Mr. Mai Ngoc Duong's family in Loc Thuy commune, Le Thuy district organic cultivated the new rice variety QS 88 supplied by Quang Binh Seed Company Limited (Quang Binh Seed Company). Despite the unfavorable weather, the rice yield was still about 66 quintals/ha, nearly 6 quintals/ha higher than other rice varieties he planted in previous seasons. Standing and watching the harvester running in the fields, Mr. Duong said that when joining the model in the past, people assumed that it was the state giving money to support people. When the money ran out, people stopped participating in the model. "We are currently creating a partnership model, farmers can independently implement the technical process that the enterprise has provided with seeds and fertilizers," said Mr. Duong.

After he landed the harvester on the edge of the field, Mr. Duong picked up a round bag of rice and loaded it on an ox cart to take it to the gathering point. Trucks of Quang Binh Seed Company waited at the gathering point to purchase wheat for farmers. 

In the winter-spring crop 2021 - 2022, Quang Binh Seed Company cooperates with Le Thuy District Department of MARD to organize a model of production associated with product consumption in an area of over 500 ha in many communes including Loc Thuy, Phong Thuy, An Thuy, Hoa Thuy, Son Thuy… Mr. Nguyen Xuan Ky, the Director of the company said: The company provided new varieties such as QS 88, LTH 31 for farmers' cultivation. These are high-yielding, high-quality varieties. 

In Loc Thuy commune, the linkage model between Quang Binh Seed Company and local farmers has been deployed on an area of ​​nearly 22 ha. The results showed that the wheat variety possesses cold tolerance, high endurance, and is not susceptible to pests and diseases. The rice belongs to the group of fragrant rice, meeting export standards… 

Mr. Dang Ngoc Thang, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director of Tuy Loc Agricultural Service Business Cooperative (Loc Thuy commune), a pioneer in bringing new varieties and models to the field, is very pleased with this model. According to Mr. Thang, farmers are very nervous when traders do not arrive to make purchases when the harvest season comes. Consequently, when the season is favorable with decreases in price, farmers are even more anxious about the harvested wheat. 

“Currently, we are building a linkage model to ensure farmers a good night’s sleep. The new varieties, fertilizers, and production processes have been taken care of by the business. Additionally, all of the wheat production output is purchased on the field with a guaranteed price higher than the current market price. After harvest, farmers only need to receive fresh payment" Mr. Thang said happily.

Agricultural engineer Do Xuan Thanh, Head of Le Thuy Seed Station (under Quang Binh Seed Company) has been working constantly in the fields these days to closely direct the people’s harvest, purchase, and transport of rice. He said that in addition to providing good seeds and quality fertilizers, he must always stand side by side with farmers in the field to monitor the occurrence of pests and diseases to take timely measures. 

The linkage model is built and distributed far apart over a large area, so engineer Do Xuan Thanh and other engineers in the unit are always busy. Engineer Thanh said: “Previously, our mission was just to provide seeds. But now when I am really attached to farmers, to the field from many stages, I can only rest assured when all processes are completed. These stages include seed preparation, fertilizer supplies, production processes, taking care of wheat that has grown over time, and loading each bag of rice on trucks”. 

Granting farmers a new position

According to farmers participating in the model, the QS88 rice variety has a growth period of 120-125 days in the winter-spring crop. The yield is high and stable from 75 to 80 quintals/ha, and the economic efficiency increases by 20 to 30% compared to other varieties.

Mr. Nguyen Xuan Ky, Director of Quang Binh Seed Company, said that bringing the new rice variety QS 88 into production according to the chain link model associated with offtake guaranteed contributes to increases in production efficiency. It also helps build the 'General's rice' brand. 

The company has ensured the supply of 100% of seeds and fertilizers and sent technical staff to guide farmers in organic farming. At the time of harvest, the company purchases all newly harvested rice right at the field for farmers.

Standing beside the newly harvested field, Mr. Mai Van Chung and his son (Phong Thuy commune, Le Thuy district) are using a motorbike hooked with an ox cart to carry rice to the main road to load it into a car. Mr. Chung seemed to forget the burning sun on his head and excitedly claimed that he had participated in the chain of links for three crops. 

Farmers participating in the link get many advantages. Not only are they assured of the seeds and fertilizers that the business has provided, but they are also allowed to make late purchases when harvesting rice. The fact that businesses purchase newly harvested wheat in the field also helps farmers benefit from additional transportation and drying costs. 

“Without business, people have to transport the rice home and then have to dry it afterward. It's beneficial when it's sunny and challenging during the rain. Now, farmers are saving a lot of time. The harvester piled up a sack of wheat on the edge of the field, my son and I just had to put it on an ox cart and pull a short distance. There, a representative of the cooperative stood out and weighed the two parties and their transactions. Money is also transferred quickly. There are many benefits, people are very confident in sticking to the field," said Mr. Chung.

According to Mr. Chung, in the last winter-spring crop, his family cultivated 10 sao of field (0.5ha), yielding about 7.5 tons/ha. The company's purchasing price is VND7.1 million/ton, making a total revenue of about VND53 million/ha. 

“Although the cost of fertilizer is very high this year, thanks to the link with the company, farmers still make a profit of about VND28-30 million/ha and trading is also active. People no longer worry about being pressured by private traders, no longer being criticized for different color rice"  Mr. Chung said excitedly.

With the goal of linking sustainable rice production and building a standard raw material area for the brand "General's rice", in the upcoming time, Quang Binh Seed Company said it will continue to coordinate with Le Thuy district to expand the cultivation area of rice varieties QS 88, LTH 31 rice varieties in the organic direction. “After purchasing wheat for farmers, the company implements the process of processing rice, packing labels according to the system of standards in the country and in export markets," said company director Nguyen Xuan Ky.

Through field inspections in Loc Thuy commune, Mr. Dang Dai Tinh, Chairman of the People's Committee of Le Thuy district, said that promoting the expansion of the linkage model would grant a new position for farmers in the field. “We always create the best conditions for businesses to reach farmers in the production link. Thereby spreading the brand "General's rice" to all parts of the country and to the international market", Mr. Dang Dai Tinh said.