VIETNAM – Reviving traditional glutinous rice in Hai Duong

The Duy Tan Clean Agricultural Products Cooperative in Hai Duong Province, Vietnam, is led by a woman determined to protect local agricultural heritage. Nguyen Thi Quy, Director of the Cooperative, had a clear goal: restore and preserve the traditional Nep Cai Hoa Vang glutinous rice variety, expand production, and increase the income of cooperative members.

“This glutinous rice is a long-standing traditional variety in our area. Most of the fields in the past were planted with Nep Cai Hoa Vang. However, many farmers later shifted to hybrid varieties that often have lower quality. Our cooperative decided to restore the traditional rice, buy it back from farmers, and bring it to market so we can preserve the unique flavor of our hometown rice,” Quy says.

The cooperative members recognized that preserving the quality and reputation of this indigenous rice requires strict adherence to environmentally friendly farming practices. From land preparation and seed selection to transplanting, crop care, and harvesting, every stage follows careful standards designed to minimize the use of chemicals and protect soil and water sources. This ensures that the rice collected by the cooperative meets consistent quality standards.

Previously, farmers often sold their glutinous rice directly to traders by weight at low prices.

“Before we had equipment, the cooperative faced many difficulties. We had no factory and no machinery, so storing rice was inadequate, and it was hard to maintain quality. During drying and milling, we could not process large volumes at once because household machines were small and scattered,” Quy explains.

In 2024, the cooperative received USD 13,276 from the APFP-FO4A program, through the Vietnam Farmers’ Union (VNFU), to implement its business plan focused on building the brand for the traditional Nep Cai Hoa Vang glutinous rice variety.

The Asia-Pacific Farmers’ Program (APFP) – Farmers’ Organizations for Asia (FO4A) is implemented by the Asian Farmers’ Association for Sustainable Rural Development (AFA) and La Via Campesina (LVC), with funding from the European Union (EU) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). The program aims to strengthen the capacities of farmers’ organizations to provide economic services, advocate for enabling policies, and promote sustainable livelihoods for small-scale family farmers across Asia.

With this support, the cooperative acquired modern equipment, including a rice milling machine capable of processing one ton of paddy rice per hour, many times more efficient than traditional milling machines. The machine produces high-quality rice while reducing losses caused by grain breakage.

After milling, the rice is vacuum-packed using modern packaging equipment, also funded through APFP-FO4A, including a vacuum sealer and packaging printer. These investments help the cooperative modernize and automate production, reducing input costs while increasing product value and profits.
For farmers, mechanization has become a key factor in improving livelihoods. The modern equipment supported by APFP-FO4A not only enables deeper processing and higher value products, but also helps reduce environmental impacts from agricultural activities.

Through the leadership of women farmers and the revival of indigenous crops, the Duy Tan Cooperative is proving that preserving tradition can also create new economic opportunities for rural communities.