The development stage of a science and technology enterprise

(Baonghean)On December 28, 2012, based on the assessment of standards, the Nghe An Department of Science and Technology granted a Science and Technology Enterprise Certificate to Vinh Hoa Co., Ltd. The company is one of the first two enterprises in Nghe An to receive this certificate.

About 10 years ago, when hybrid rice, especially Chinese hybrid rice, was dominating the market, Vinh Hoa Co., Ltd. quietly and persistently pursued its own path of researching, testing, and producing high-quality pure rice varieties. After testing dozens of pure rice varieties, with many failures, fate finally led Vinh Hoa Co., Ltd. to the AC5 pure rice variety in 2006. It should also be added that before Vinh Hoa Co., Ltd. tested and produced AC5, several other companies had tested it, but without success... From this rice variety, the company processed rice products under the Nghe An brand, and initial market acceptance was positive.

A turning point came for Vinh Hoa in 2008, at the "Vietnam ASEAN + 3" Technology and Equipment Fair, when the company signed a contract with the Institute of Food Crops to purchase the copyright for the AC5 rice variety. Accordingly, Vinh Hoa had the exclusive right to produce and market the purebred AC5 rice variety throughout the North Central and South Central regions of Vietnam. After acquiring the copyright, the company collaborated with farmers in Dien Chau, Yen Thanh, Do Luong (Nghe An), and Duc Tho (Ha Tinh) to boost the production of rice seeds and commercial rice.

In 2010, the company received funding from the Nghe An Department of Science and Technology to implement a science and technology project on the production and processing of safe rice according to VietGAP standards and the development of the "Xu Nghe" rice brand. This helped the company access and implement a closed-loop process from rice production to processing, ensuring quality standards. From there, the company officially established and was granted a trademark certificate by the Intellectual Property Office for the exclusive trademark "Xu Nghe Rice" for Vinh Hoa Company's rice products. Currently, over 7,000 hectares of AC5 rice are planted in the three provinces of Nghe An, Ha Tinh, and Thanh Hoa. With a yield 30% or more higher than other hybrid rice varieties, the area planted with AC5 is increasing rapidly. While the company only sold 400 tons of rice under the "Xu Nghe" brand in 2010, that number increased to 2,360 tons in 2012.

In addition, the company contacted the Institute of Agricultural Mechanization and Post-Harvest Technology to receive technology transfer for the production of bio-fertilizers. Furthermore, the company invested 15 billion VND in industrial-scale seedling production lines, rice polishing lines, and moisture-separating drying lines from a US non-governmental organization. It also invested in a 3,500m² rice storage facility capable of storing 3,500 tons of rice, with technological investment from the Institute of Agricultural Mechanization and Post-Harvest Technology. Moreover, scientific institutions have assisted my company in training and developing its technical staff. To date, 16 staff members have been trained at the Institute of Food Crops and Foodstuffs, meeting the standards of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development's high-quality rice development strategy program.

Besides the established and well-established AC5 rice variety, Vinh Hoa Company has also been collaborating with scientific institutions and farmers to test several new high-quality pure rice varieties, such as HT9 and TL6, with promising initial results. It can be said that science and technology are both the key and the foundation for the company's success.



Mr. Pham Xuan Can - Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology, presented the Certificate of Science and Technology Enterprise to Mr. Nguyen Van Hoa - Director of Vinh Hoa Co., Ltd.

To date, the company holds three intellectual property assets: one copyright for the production and business of the high-quality AC5 fragrant rice variety, one famous "Xứ Nghệ" rice brand, and one copyright for the author's trademark of the VH1 purple rice variety, which is currently being established, along with numerous awards and titles bestowed by Party and State organizations. The company has been selected by the Government, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the World Bank, and the People's Committee and Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Nghe An province to participate in the agricultural competitiveness project for the production of high-quality AC5 rice seeds, in order to expand the production of commercial rice and the processing of safe rice under the "Xứ Nghệ" rice brand.

Overcoming difficulties and challenges and continuing to develop, the company's future direction is to further strengthen its ties with scientists and research institutes to apply new achievements in breeding and technology, ensuring the latest and best products are always available. The company must also increase internal investment, especially in training technical staff who can not only master transferred technologies but also proactively research and address pressing needs. Simultaneously, it must continuously innovate management, particularly in reforming its approach to linking with farmers, aiming to form stable and sustainable rice production and business alliances based on the harmonious interests of all parties. Furthermore, it must focus on building, promoting, and developing its brand by continuously improving product and service quality, especially its two main products: high-quality purebred rice varieties and clean rice under the brand name "Nghe An Rice".

We are confident that, with the attention and support from all levels of government in facilitating access to capital, policies, and new scientific and technological advancements, and with the trust and support of farmers, Vinh Hoa Company Limited will continue to advance further in the production and business of clean rice, establishing its brand in both domestic and international markets.

Pham Xuan Can (Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology)