Seng Cu Rice, a specialty of the Northwest mountains and forests

Muong Lo field is located west of Yen Bai province, created over thousands of years by Ngoi Thia, Nam Dong, Nam Toc streams, and many small streams carrying alluvium from the mountain slopes. This is the second largest field in the Northwest. With a total area of over 3,000 hectares, surrounded by high mountains, Muong Lo field is a large food basket with specialty rice varieties such as Huong Chiem and Seng Cu..., with annual output from 30,000 - 32,000 tons.

Mr. Lieu Ngoc Mau - Chairman of Muong Lo Rice Production and Business Association, shared: People in Muong Lo region cultivate many delicious rice varieties, including the specialty Seng Cu Rice variety, famous for its softness and rich aroma, rich in nutritional value. Seng Cu belongs to a group of pure Chinese rice introduced to Muong Lo in the late 20th century through people's self-exchange.

Part of the delicious flavor of Seng Cu Rice is the experience of farming on wet fields of the Thai ethnic people in the Muong Lo region. It is a system of ditches, ponds, and water channels to bring irrigation to the fields to reach a high level of rice farming. These methods are both effective and protect the environment. The rice plants bask in the night dew and drink spring water flowing from the ravine to give the rice grains a supple, sweet taste, fragrant with the scent of the mountains and forests.

Currently, Seng Cu Rice is the primary commodity, accounting for nearly 40% of the area of Muong Lo field, with an annual output of more than 10,000 tons. The growing time of Seng Cu Rice is short (100 - 115 days), and two crops can be planted yearly. The rice crop is grown from January to February (solar calendar) and harvested from May to June. The rice is planted from June to July, and harvest begins from September to October, with an average yield of 40 - 50 tons/ha.

Since 2018, Seng Cu Rice variety has been restored by many scientific and local agencies, such as the Division of Agrochemistry, Agricultural Genetics Institute, and the Vietnam National University of Agriculture – VNUA (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development)... After restoration, the process and original seeds were handed over to the local production area.

Seng Cu is one of the types of rice that brings high economic value. The selling price ranges from VND 30,000 to VND 35,000/kg. Seng Cu Muong Lo rice products were granted a certificate of geographical indication protection by the Intellectual Property Office of Vietnam (Ministry of Science and Technology) in 2018. Since then, the product consumption market has expanded to many provinces/cities, and the value is increasing daily.

Mrs. Pham Thi Dong - Director of TND Agricultural, Forestry and Fishery Technical Services Company Limited (Nghia Lo town, Yen Bai) said: In 2019, Seng Cu Rice product was recognized as a 3-star OCOP product. Thanks to that, the Company has produced 100 tons of rice, brought 70 tons to the market, and earned more than VND 2 billion in revenue.

In 2020, the Company brought products to major supermarkets in Hanoi, such as BigC Thang Long Trade Center; Hapromart C13 supermarket, Thanh Cong... to introduce; Participate in seminars, fairs, and exhibitions in Hanoi and northern provinces to further develop the market.

To upgrade Seng Cu Muong Lo rice to a 4-star OCOP product, the Company has provided support for purchasing seeds, fertilizers, and technical guidance on rice production according to the VietGAP process for nearly 90 households, helping people change their lives. Change production thinking, create raw material areas with high output and quality, and ensure food safety. In 2021, Seng Cu Muong Lo rice was recognized as a 4-star OCOP product, with a brand reputation and an increasingly broader consumer market.

In recent years, Seng Cu Rice growing areas in Nghia Lo have been expanded, and the locality has also applied many policies to develop this specialty rice variety. People have practiced concentrated farming, single-variety fields, used microbial fertilizers and applied organic farming methods...

Mrs. Quan Thi Tuyet Nhung - Head of Nghia Lo Town's Economic Department, said to develop the Seng Cu Muong Lo rice brand, the Town has implemented many trade promotion, communication, and product introduction activities.

Previously, rice products in the highlands were mainly produced for self-sufficiency. The fact that Seng Cu Rice products have become high-quality goods, packaged according to standards, and traceable to their origin has created trust with consumers. This is a significant step forward in production, contributing to increasing the income value of farmers, building the image of the homeland, and promoting tourism development.

Currently, Nghia Lo town has 4 Seng Cu rice products recognized as OCOP products, including Seng Cu Rice of TND Agricultural, Forestry, and Fisheries Technical Services Company Limited; Seng Cu Muong Lo Rice of Muong Lo Rice Production and Trading Association; Seng Cu Phuc Son Rice of Phuc Son Organic Agricultural Products Cooperative and Seng Cu An Son Rice of An Son Agricultural Service Cooperative.