Farmers and businesses in rural communes of Điện Bàn Town in the central province of Quảng Nam have been working to develop low-yield rice fields as the first ever sustainable source of organic rice in central Việt Nam since 2017.

A chemical-free zone has been nurtured using bio-fertiliser and non-chemical plant protection agents in Điện Thọ and Điện Hồng communes to produce the first safe rice crops over the past three years.

Organic rice fields in Điện Thọ Commune, Quảng Nam Province. Chemical-free agricultural production has sprung up in the central province. VNS Photo Công Thành

The organic rice zone has been supplying around 200 tonnes to consumers in the central region each year since 2017, earning 50 per cent yield increase and doubling the price of normal rice.

The co-operative model has also created a big change to switch from risky manual, unplanned farming to highly mechanised production. Farmers work under strict timetable supervision and technical management on their fields.

A farmer checks new grown rice on a farm in Điện Thọ Commune, Quảng Nam. The commune was the first in the province to grow organic rice. VNS Photo Nguyễn Văn Kiệt

“It’s a big change. Rice yield was formerly based on fertiliser and the climate,” said Nguyễn Thị Ly, 50, a farmer from Điện Thọ Commune.

“We spent at least VNĐ600,000 (US$26) on fertiliser and plant protection products for every 500sq.m of land, but the crops only sold for VNĐ1.2 million ($52.2). On top of that we had the risks of rat and insect damage and unfavourable weather, as well as unstable market prices after harvest time,” she said.

Ly explained that working odd jobs in the cities for one or two days could earn as much as a whole crop, and that was the reason many farmers had left their farms empty to seek better paid work.

“Rice farming only brings a little profit. It just helps supply families with food, while their main incomes come from other sources and jobs in urban areas and factories.”

Change

A deal to develop the organic rice farm zone was signed between Điện Bàn Agriculture JSC and 150 farmers in Điện Thọ Commune in 2017.

A farmer collects rice on a farm in central Việt Nam. Organic rice production will be the future choice for agricultural development. Photo courtesy of Gạo Phong Thử

Businesses have rented land from local farmers and employed them (the farmers) to work in the paddy fields following well-control organic rice production processes.

“We employ farmers for VNĐ5.5 million ($239) per month – a stable income in rural areas, excluding land rent of $65 per 500sq.m annually,” said Nguyễn Văn Kiệt, deputy director of the company.

“Meanwhile, businesses cover production costs and market management – two major factors – while farmers make a profitable share in the production chain,” Kiệt said.

Workers package organic rice at a factory in Quảng Nam Province. The Phong Thử organic rice brand was developed in the province from 2017. VNS Photo Mai Phước Thạnh

“It’s difficult for us to persuade farmers to change to mechanised production and non-chemical use,” he explained.

Nguyễn Thị Phong, a farmer, said her 1ha farm could produce seven tonnes of organic rice for a net profit of VNĐ40 million ($1,700) per year – a 50 per cent increase compared to previous production.

“Usually, crop needs six or seven rounds of chemical pesticide and four lots of fertiliser as well as weed-killer. But now only bio-fertilisers and pesticide are used on our farm. Organic farming helps the rice grow stronger with a natural resistance to pests,” Phong explained.

“Our organic rice – the Phong Thử brand – was awarded the certificate of the Good Agricultural Practices, VietGAP – in 2018. The product sells for VNĐ25,000 (about $1.08) per kilo – double the price of normal rice,” Kiệt added.

The vice director explained the organic process helped reduce production and manual labour costs, as well as time.

“Our close control and proven procedures minimise harmful insect infections, while an independent irrigation system kills weeds by maintaining a constant level of water.”

Locally born Nguyễn Phước Thiện, the mastermind behind the Phong Thử organic rice brand, said promoting safe food production was a sustainable way for farmers and the community to grow.

Farmers harvest rice in central Viêt Nam. Điện Bàn Town in central Quảng Nam Province has built the first organic rice zone in the region. Photo courtesy of Gạo Phong Thử

“It benefits everyone for two reasons. Consumers are not scared of poisonous chemical agents used in rice production, while farmers earn a better income,” Thiện said.

The company also has a contract with Hòa Thắng – a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) rice mill – to create the first organic rice production chain in central Việt Nam.

Nguyễn Minh Hiếu, vice chairman of Điện Bàn Town’s authorities, said Phong Thử organic rice product had been recognised as a typical brand of Quảng Nam following the ‘One Commune-One Product’ (OCOP) plan – an eco-tourism project launched by the Việt Nam National Administration of Tourism.

Hiếu said organic farming was a successful way of boosting technological applications in sustainable agricultural production.

Thiện, the founder of the Phong Thử brand, said they now planned to export their product to Europe and Southeast Asia. VNS