Having just finished harvesting the 2024 autumn-winter rice crop, Mr. Nguyen Van Ut (Vi Thuy district, Hau Giang province) was busy buying certified rice seeds (seeds multiplied from original seeds and meeting quality standards according to regulations) Dai Thom 8 to reserve for the next season.
Mr. Ut said: "Last year, it was very difficult to find the rice when it was close to the day of sowing because the dealer said it was out of stock. This season, I went early, the rice is currently in high demand, if I don't buy early, it will be difficult to buy when it is close to the sowing date, and the price will be pushed up. These past few days, I went to the dealer to place an order, and the dealer delivered it a few days ago so I can stock up in advance."
With 1 hectare of land, Mr. Ut estimates that he will buy and reserve 200kg of certified rice seeds. According to this farmer, the price of certified rice seeds is higher than that of regular rice seeds, but the yield and germination rate are high, and the post-harvest price difference with regular rice is about 300 - 1,000 VND/kg, so for the past 3 years, he has accepted to pay extra fees to cultivate good seeds.
Contrary to the anxiety of buying rice seeds in reserve, Mr. Nguyen Van That (Long My district, Hau Giang province) is leisurely due to production links with businesses.
"By participating in the production link, I am supported by the company from A to Z. After each harvest, the company will support rice seeds in a few days. I just need to bring them back to store for the next crop without having to run around looking for sources of goods," said Mr. That.
According to Mr. That, the selling price of certified rice varieties such as OM18, Dai Thom 8, ST25... usually means the rice quality is better, tastier, and more fragrant, so the selling price is higher. The company often purchases for export.
According to the review of the agricultural sector of Hau Giang province, in the province there are 20 enterprises, 45 cooperatives linking production and rice consumption with over 20,600 households participating, an area of over 22,130 hectares, and an output of 155,054 tons.
The provincial agricultural sector is promoting the expansion of models of cooperation with production enterprises and product consumption; enhancing transformation in production to create new breakthroughs, contributing to increasing income for farmers, especially in communes building new rural areas.
