Rice fields in Nghe An province say no to harmful chemicals.

Fields of "clean rice"

Having started producing organic rice in 2022 on a 1-hectare plot, the 2024 Summer-Autumn crop was the first time Mr. Nguyen Phuc Hung, owner of H2 Farm in Thach Son hamlet (Van Thanh commune, Yen Thanh district), produced it using a method of only applying fertilizer once throughout the entire season. “Previously, we used only organic fertilizers, but we still applied them 3-4 times per season. Now, switching to applying fertilizer only once according to the agricultural sector's guidelines, I've saved a lot of costs while maintaining stable or even higher rice yield and quality,” Mr. Hung said.

According to Mr. Hung, organic farming initially faced many difficulties, with lower yields and less convenience compared to conventional farming. Many tasks required manual labor, demanding genuine dedication, determination, and a complete shift away from focusing on quantity to quality. In the first season, his family's 1-hectare rice crop yielded lower productivity than conventional farming, but from the second season onwards, the yield was equal to or even higher. The greater benefit was ensuring the health of himself first, then consumers, and protecting the environment.

For many years, on her family's 1000 square meter "rice paddy" (a unit of land measurement) of "rice with earthworms," ​​like other households in the hamlet, Ms. Trinh Thi Lai in Chau Nhan commune (Hung Nguyen district) has never sprayed chemical pesticides on her rice plants to protect the earthworms. Yet, the rice still grows very well, with few pests and diseases, and yields high productivity. The selling price is also 2-3 times higher than the market price, and she still can't sell enough. Taking advantage of these "rice paddy" fields, starting from the Spring 2024 crop, the Department of Science and Technology began implementing a project to apply scientific and technological advancements to build a model of earthworm farming combined with organic rice cultivation in Hung Nguyen district. On an area of ​​3 hectares in Hamlet 8, Chau Nhan commune, 11 households participated, receiving 50% support for rice seeds, organic fertilizers, and technical training.

According to Mr. Nguyen Quang Huy, the project leader, although no chemical pesticides are being sprayed, people previously used chemical fertilizers. The key difference in implementing and expanding this model is that farmers will exclusively use organic fertilizers and biological pesticides derived from herbs, following the organic rice production process.

Ms. Phan Thi Giang, Deputy Head of the Agriculture and Rural Development Department of Hung Nguyen District, shared: "In addition to over 100 hectares of rice land with earthworms in Chau Nhan commune, which is very favorable for developing organic rice production, in other communes, growing rice organically will be a new direction that the district is paying attention to. This spring, Hung Nguyen district will continue to expand the model to several other communes, thereby gradually creating a new trend in rice production in the area."

New trends in rice production

In recent years, the trend of organic rice production has begun to emerge in some localities. Not only does this increase the value of rice production, but more importantly, this production method also contributes to changing farming habits, protecting the environment, and improving people's health.

Mr. Nguyen Van Duong, Vice Chairman of the Yen Thanh District People's Committee, said: Since 2021, Yen Thanh has implemented an organic rice production model covering nearly 20 hectares in Van Thanh, Lien Thanh, and Minh Thanh communes. The fields are less polluted due to the absence of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, ensuring food safety, and achieving yields comparable to traditional, large-scale production. Notably, organically grown rice is entirely purchased by the District Agricultural Services Center at a higher price than conventionally grown rice, thus building a brand and label for Yen Thanh rice to create a stable and valuable market outlet.

“Yen Thanh is the only district to date that has been approved by the province to implement a high-tech agricultural production project; and developing and expanding the area of ​​organic rice production, building the Yen Thanh safe rice brand is the goal we are focusing on; especially with the TH Group's rice processing plant located in the area,” Mr. Duong shared.

According to Mr. Nguyen Tien Duc, Head of the Provincial Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection: Organic rice production only uses organic microbial fertilizers, organic mineral fertilizers, and biological pesticides; absolutely no chemical fertilizers or chemical pesticides are used.

Pest management processes are also implemented according to organic standards, establishing an ecological balance between pests and natural enemies, while applying preventive methods such as selecting appropriate planting seasons, improving soil quality, and encouraging natural biological agents. This production method not only requires high technical skills but also demands a change in farming habits from farmers—from using traditional chemical fertilizers and pesticides to organic farming.

This spring, in addition to Yen Thanh and Hung Nguyen districts, Nghe An province continues to expand the model of organic rice production in Nam Dan, Dien Chau, and Quynh Luu districts.