The cultivation of fragrant rice in the Mekong Delta province of Soc Trang has shown good results, according to experts.
Soc Trang, the main fragrant rice growing province in the delta, hasaround 148,000ha under rice, with 44 percent of it earmarked forspeciality varieties, mostly of the fragrant kind.
In 1992-2015, Soc Trang spent more than 9 billion VND (430,000 USD) on20 programmes for creating and restoring speciality rice varieties.
One of them, to create the ST fragrant rice strain, has ended withmany varieties ranging from ST 1 to ST 25. Many of them are exportedat high prices.
ST 5, for instance, has fetched over 600 USD a tonne for the past seven years.
Speaking at a seminar held in the province in mid-May, Ho Quang Cua,deputy chairman of the Soc Trang Union of Science and TechnologyAssociations and also one of the local scientists who researched andcreated the ST varieties, said many farmers growing fragrant rice madeprofits of 50 -70 percent.
Cua and his researchgroup are planning to popularise ST varieties from 20 to 25, red ST, andpurple ST so that more of them are grown for export. The export pricesof these are as high as 800 USD a tonne.
Many cooperatives in the province have tied up with companies to ensure there are outlets for their fragrant rice.
Vo Tong Xuan, rector of the Can Tho University, hailing Soc Trang'sscientists for creating the ST variety, said the province should lookfor investment in rice drying, husking, polishing, and packagingfacilities.
Seminar participants said the profitsfrom speciality rice strains are very high, adding if the grain is grownusing a proper model like the large-scale rice fields and there iscooperation between farmers, scientists, companies, and authorities,farmers could enjoy up to 84 percent of the profit made through thechain until the rice reaches the consumer.
Le ThanhTri, Vice Chairman of the Soc Trang People's Committee, said to furtherdevelop speciality rice farming, the province needs to dissuadeindividual and small farming and strengthen cooperation between farmers,scientists, companies, and the Government.
Theprovince should provide farmers with advanced technologies and createmore high-quality rice strains suitable for harsh weather conditions, headded.-VNA
Soc Trang, the main fragrant rice growing province in the delta, hasaround 148,000ha under rice, with 44 percent of it earmarked forspeciality varieties, mostly of the fragrant kind.
In 1992-2015, Soc Trang spent more than 9 billion VND (430,000 USD) on20 programmes for creating and restoring speciality rice varieties.
One of them, to create the ST fragrant rice strain, has ended withmany varieties ranging from ST 1 to ST 25. Many of them are exportedat high prices.
ST 5, for instance, has fetched over 600 USD a tonne for the past seven years.
Speaking at a seminar held in the province in mid-May, Ho Quang Cua,deputy chairman of the Soc Trang Union of Science and TechnologyAssociations and also one of the local scientists who researched andcreated the ST varieties, said many farmers growing fragrant rice madeprofits of 50 -70 percent.
Cua and his researchgroup are planning to popularise ST varieties from 20 to 25, red ST, andpurple ST so that more of them are grown for export. The export pricesof these are as high as 800 USD a tonne.
Many cooperatives in the province have tied up with companies to ensure there are outlets for their fragrant rice.
Vo Tong Xuan, rector of the Can Tho University, hailing Soc Trang'sscientists for creating the ST variety, said the province should lookfor investment in rice drying, husking, polishing, and packagingfacilities.
Seminar participants said the profitsfrom speciality rice strains are very high, adding if the grain is grownusing a proper model like the large-scale rice fields and there iscooperation between farmers, scientists, companies, and authorities,farmers could enjoy up to 84 percent of the profit made through thechain until the rice reaches the consumer.
Le ThanhTri, Vice Chairman of the Soc Trang People's Committee, said to furtherdevelop speciality rice farming, the province needs to dissuadeindividual and small farming and strengthen cooperation between farmers,scientists, companies, and the Government.
Theprovince should provide farmers with advanced technologies and createmore high-quality rice strains suitable for harsh weather conditions, headded.-VNA
