Special rice varieties

The LC93-1 upland rice variety, grown on low-yielding fertile soil in Huong Khe district, Ha Tinh province, does not require irrigation canals and drainage systems. The results are not inferior to wet rice cultivation, opening up a new direction in transforming crop structure and increasing income for people in this mountainous district.

Mr. Tran Dinh Luyen, residing in Huong Binh village, Loc Yen commune, Huong Khe district, said: "My family boldly converted more than 1 sao of ineffective colored land to experimentally grow the LC93-1 upland rice variety introduced by the commune. During the experimental planting process, the upland rice variety gave stable yield and was drought-resistant. This summer-autumn crop, my family expanded the upland rice production area to 3 sao."

"Since planting dry rice, the yield has been quite high, the first crop reached about 2 quintals/sao, then increased to 2.5-2.7 quintals/sao. We have both rice to eat and straw to raise cattle. Up to now, I have grown dry rice on all 3 acres of previously abandoned fertile land," Mr. Luyen shared.

Ms. Vo Thi Hien, residing in Huong Giang village, Loc Yen commune, Huong Khe, said: "Producing upland rice varieties is easy to do and easy to care for. Just plow, make ridges and sow seeds straight in rows. Before the rice is ready to tiller, people have to work hard to weed and hoe so that the rice does not compete for nutrients and can grow and develop well.

Each sao of dry rice yields nearly 3 quintals, which is higher than the yield of spring rice. In particular, this rice variety produces delicious, fragrant rice that is popular with people. Last year, my family sold rice seeds for 12,000 VND/kg, and edible rice for 8,000-10,000 VND/kg.

"The income from each sao of upland rice is over 2.5 million VND, while if you grow beans, you only earn about 1 million VND per sao, sesame is at most about 1.5 million VND, and upland rice is 2 to 3 times higher," said Ms. Vo Thi Hien, excitedly.

Huong Khe is one of the mountainous districts located in the arid area of ​​Ha Tinh, the annual temperature in the summer always increases from 0.5 to 1 degree Celsius compared to other places. Although the area has a system of rivers, streams, lakes and dams, most of the irrigation works are small, so irrigation work is very difficult.

Increasing area, greening land is ineffective

Every year, the locality organizes a review and evaluation of the production results of each crop to develop a suitable production plan. Especially when some crops such as corn, sesame, and beans are grown in the summer-autumn crop on high and dry land, bringing low economic efficiency.

The implementation of conversion and introduction of plant varieties suitable to the conditions and cultivation level into production has been focused on by the locality. Upland rice has been experimentally grown, showing its adaptability to cultivation and climate conditions, bringing visible results, so the area has been expanded year by year.

Mr. Nguyen Van Ngoc, Vice Chairman of Loc Yen Commune People's Committee, said: "LC93-1 upland rice variety was brought from Dak Lak province for trial planting in 2021. In 2022, production increased to 5 hectares, gradually increasing the area, and by the summer-autumn crop of 2024, it had expanded to 40 hectares.

Compared to other crops, rice cultivation on dry land has superior economic value while the cultivation conditions are quite simple. This rice variety is resistant to pests and diseases, resistant to natural disasters, easy to grow, easy to care for, and its productivity is not inferior to that of wet rice. In addition, rice stalks grown on dry land are one and a half times better than wet rice stalks, and agricultural by-products are also used for livestock farming.

Currently, many people in some communes such as Phuc Dong, Huong Lam, Huong Lien, Huong Do are also converting ineffective bean and sesame growing areas to grow dry rice varieties. This summer-autumn crop, the hot weather has lasted for a long time but the dry rice areas are still green and lush, the entire area has been harvested. Ensuring safety, avoiding adverse weather.

Talking to Dan Viet reporter, Ms. Le Thi Tham, Deputy Head of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Huong Khe district, said: "Dry rice grows and develops well, with a yield of about 2.7-3 quintals/sao (500m2 sao). With good drought resistance, simple planting process, and few pests and diseases, the district has expanded nearly 50 hectares of this rice variety, and is continuing to encourage people to expand the area in arid areas in localities in the district."