National rice trademark under consideration

Rice farmers in Vọng Thê Commune, Thoại Sơn District in the Mekong Delta Province of An Giang are growing Joponica rice. According to Lê Công Danh, who has planted Japonica for 5 years, the variety has a strong resistance to pests and disease and a productivity of 8-10 tonnes per ha.

Le Cong Danh, Farmer, Vong The Commune, Thoai Son Dist., An Giang Prov. said: This rice variety can grow well in acidic and salty soil.

Japonica rice has a high productivity and strong resistance to pests and cold weather. Markets for the rice include China, Japan, South Korea, Russia, and Europe. Some years ago, Angimex - Kitoku Joint-venture Company cooperated with farmers in An Giang Province to start planting Japonica. Currently, the Mekong Delta has about 20 thousand ha of Japonica rice fields.

"Cooperation between businesses and farmers in rice production is sustainable. Annually, 1,000 ha of this variety is exported to Japan.", Tran Thanh Tung Head, Office of Agriculture & Rural Development, Thoai Son Dist., An Giang Prov. added.

Recently, the Vietnam Food Association (VFA) proposed that Japonica be included in the plan to develop a national rice trademark because demand for the rice is rising quickly. Japonica now accounts for 12% of global rice consumption. Natural conditions in Vietnam are also favorable for the variety.

Dr. Le Van Banh, Agriculture expert said: The VFA proposal is worth considering because this rice variety can be exported to various markets. But Vietnam must also ensure export quality and quantity.

According to Dr Bảnh, the Japonica rice plant is firm, requiring a special machine to harvest it. Many hybrid forms of the rice also exist. As such, the mass production of Japonica must be carefully planned.