Vinh Long organic rice is favored by the US market

NutriViet Fragrant Rice products with raw materials produced in Vinh Long province are favored by American consumers for their taste.

Mr. Alexander Nguyen, a Vietnamese - American businessman representing ALEX'S Orangic Nutrition Food For Animal Company whose representative office is located at 179/1, Nguyen Chi Thanh, Ward 12, District 5, HCMC, said that the company is preparing to export roughly 25 tons or 1 container worth of NutriViet Fragrant organic rice to the US market.

Rice products are produced by NutriSoil Southern Joint Stock Company in conjunction with Tan Dat Cooperative in Vung Liem District, Vinh Long Province following strict organic processes. Mr. Alexander Nguyen informed that he had attempted to offer the rice products to 7 major markets in California. The products are highly favored by consumers for their taste. In addition, the company also has access to the Costco supermarket, one of the largest supermarket chains with presence in the majority of the US states.

“The US government is very open towards Vietnamese agricultural products. They have allowed the import of a variety of fruits, including rice. Seven major California markets have agreed to allow this rice product enter their market to advertise the Vietnamese products in the US. As for the Costco supermarket, we have provided them with sample products, so it won't be long before we have the results and they will let us sell rice products in this supermarket system", said Mr. Alexander Nguyen.

Mr. Tran Hong Bien, Director of NutriSoil Southern Joint Stock Company commented on the matter: Investing in a raw material area for organic production can be very challenging and time consuming. Firstly, we will establish a clean raw material area without using chemical fertilizers and chemical pesticides for 2 to 3 years. Afterwards, the water source will be tested. If the requirements are met, then we can proceed to grow raw organic rice.

Southern Nutrisoil Company cooperated with Tan Dat Cooperative to produce organic rice in 2019. So far, the organic material area belonging to Tan Dat Cooperative has reached 32 hectares in total. The two parties have mutually agreed to follow a strict process, which includes the use of Nutrisoil, FPF and 3-in-1 pesticides. These are certified organic products. Additionally, the parties will utilize several other biological products within the scope of organic certification.

Regarding the development orientation for the future, Mr. Tran Hong Bien said: “We will expand the material area and consequently increase the output. Hopefully, it will meet the needs of the domestic market as well as the US and the EU."

Tan Dat Cooperative is a pioneering cooperatives of Vinh Long province in production following organic and biological processes to ensure safety for consumers. The main activities of Tan Dat Cooperative include: linking the production of seed rice, high-quality commodity rice, organic rice, and performing mechanical rice transplanting services. The Cooperative have protected the environment by removing hazardous chemicals from the production process; increased social value by not exposing farmers to such chemicals; and created job opportunities for local workers.

Regarding the organic rice production linkage with Southern Nutrisoil Joint Stock Company, Mr. Doan Van Tai, Director of Tan Dat Cooperative shared that: The production process applies to many different products, including those from Southern Nutrisoil Joint Stock Company. The products in the raw material area have been certified with 3 international standards by the US, Japan, and Europe. The output is estimated to range from 400 to 500 tons. The province is also interested in expanding the planned planting area by at least 300 hectares.

Rice production currently brings low economic efficiency. Vinh Long Province wants to convert part of the inefficient rice area to more productive crops. The province directed farmers to switch to high-quality rice, certified organic rice or organic production to increase added value on the remaining area of land.

According to Mr. Nguyen Van Liem, Deputy Director of Vinh Long Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, within the framework of Project 03 on high-tech and organic production by Vinh Long Provincial Party Committee, the province has set a target for organic production to reach 1.5% of the agricultural production area by 2025; this figure is expected to rise to 3% by 2030. Namely, the area for rice is expected to reach 900 hectares by 2025, and 1800 hectares by 2030. The province currently has several certified organic growing areas such as Tan Dat Cooperative in Vung Liem district, My Loc Cooperative in Tam Binh district among many others. The province will provide support to expand the certified organic growing areas to neighboring regions in the immediate future.

“The agriculture and rural revelopment sector is advising the Provincial People's Council to issue a policy resolution to support high-tech production and organic production from 2022 to 2030. Subsequently, several projects will be established to support production. The projects are in the drafting stage; they are expected to be submitted to the People's Council for approval in early 2023 and implemented from 2023 onwards", added Mr. Nguyen Van Liem.