HNN – Not only does it produce clean rice, organic farming is opening up a sustainable development direction for the agricultural sector of Hue city.

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A new direction

Many successful organic rice production models have been established in the area, notably the An Lo Agricultural Cooperative and the Que Lam Group… Organic rice yields are generally lower than traditional farming. However, growers significantly reduce fertilizer and pesticide costs, and minimize environmental pollution. The price of organic rice can also be 1.5 to 2 times higher than conventionally grown rice, and the output is more stable when participating in the supply chain.

Despite the modest size of the farm, the initial models have produced high-quality products, meeting the growing demands of the market. “For about five years now, my family has stopped using traditionally produced rice and switched to organic rice. I believe that organic products are safer because they don’t use chemical fertilizers and pesticides,” shared Ms. Tran Thi Mai from Thuy Xuan ward.

However, according to producers, the biggest obstacle currently remains consumer awareness. Many people still prioritize cheap rice over quality and long-term health benefits.

Mr. Nguyen Ba, Director of An Lo Agricultural Cooperative, said that organic rice production brings many benefits. Farmland is improved thanks to the use of organic fertilizers and biological products. The field ecosystem is more balanced, natural predators thrive, helping to limit pests and diseases. Farmers also reduce their exposure to chemical pesticides, and the environment is better protected. If there is a business partnership to guarantee the purchase, the price of organic rice is usually higher than rice produced using traditional methods.

However, transitioning to organic farming is not an easy path. The land must undergo a conversion period of 2-3 years before meeting the standards. Farmers are prohibited from using chemical herbicides, so they must weed manually or apply biological methods, requiring significant labor. Pest and disease control also relies on biological solutions, regular field monitoring, and the protection of natural predators.

In the early stages, yields are often lower due to unstable soil and ecosystems. Producers must strictly adhere to procedures from seeds, water sources, and fertilizers to maintaining production logs for traceability and certification. Without partner businesses or organic certification, selling at higher prices also faces significant obstacles.

According to Mr. Nguyen Ba, the biggest challenge is building a sustainable consumer market. Currently, the main outlets are preschools, daycare centers, and some small businesses. “For long-term development, consumers need to change their habits, prioritizing safe products instead of just focusing on price,” Mr. Ba said.

Mr. Nguyen Hong Lam, Chairman of Que Lam Group, also believes that the biggest challenge lies not in production but in changing market perceptions. Many people still prioritize low prices over quality and food safety. Despite this, Que Lam remains committed to developing organic agriculture, continuing to cooperate with localities to build raw material areas, supporting farmers in transitioning to new production methods, and committing to purchasing products at market prices.

Opportunities for farmers

To encourage people to switch from traditional to organic farming, Hue City has implemented many comprehensive support mechanisms and policies. Accordingly, organizations, cooperatives, and individual farmers are supported in investing in machinery and equipment to reduce labor costs, increase productivity, and promote mechanization. For production and consumption linkage models, the city provides partial support for the cost of purchasing seeds and input materials; supports the cost of organic product certification; and also assists in designing and printing packaging and labels to build brands and enhance product value. These policies help reduce cost pressure in the initial stages of transitioning to organic farming, giving people confidence to invest in production.

Simultaneously, the city is also implementing the ” Development of Organic Agriculture and Circular Economy along the Value Chain in the Area from 2024 to 2030″ project, creating a basis for building organic production models, organizing training, transferring science and technology, and promoting linkages between farmers, cooperatives, and businesses.

According to Nguyen Xuan Truong, Head of the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection of Hue City, along with perfecting the support mechanism, the agricultural sector will continue to promote propaganda and raise people’s awareness of the benefits of organic production, while replicating effective models, building concentrated raw material areas and linking production with consumption along the value chain.

Text and photos: The Tri

Published Date: August 3, 2026