About Cay Noi sticky rice region

Cay Noi sticky rice field in Sang village, Quang Chieu commune.

Unlike other rice varieties that are grown twice a year, Cay Noi sticky rice can only be grown once a year. At this time, people in Quang Chieu commune are rushing to start the Cay Noi sticky rice planting season. The atmosphere is bustling and bustling with laughter in the fields.

The Cay Noi sticky rice variety originated from Laos and has been grown in the western border communes of the province for many years. This rice variety is very picky about soil, and cannot be grown anywhere. It must be in highlands rich in potassium and water sources for the fields to ensure good growth and development. Initially, ethnic people grew rice only to meet daily needs or make cakes on holidays and New Year's, so the whole Quang Chieu commune only had a few dozen hectares, with an average yield of 35 - 40 quintals/ha. Realizing that the Cay Noi sticky rice variety is suitable for local soil and has good rice quality, people have expanded the planting area to sell to the market. Currently, Quang Chieu commune has 400 hectares of agricultural land, of which more than 300 hectares are planted with Cay Noi sticky rice.

The reason why Cay Noi rice grown in Quang Chieu is more delicious is because the soil and climate conditions here are different from other regions, with a lot of sunshine, allowing the rice plants to photosynthesize well, and the average temperature during the year ranges from 28 to 30 degrees Celsius. The difference between day and night is quite large. This prevents the rice plants from losing energy, and the rice grains are continuously supplemented with nutrients. Through a long period of settlement, the Thai ethnic people in Quang Chieu commune have a system of valuable indigenous knowledge in rice production, combined with awareness of protecting rare varieties, water sources, and the environment to develop sustainable agriculture. In addition to the long-standing planting and care techniques, local people have known how to apply scientific and technical advances in rice production.

Since Cay Noi rice became a popular agricultural product in the market, the lives of the people in Quang Chieu commune have gradually improved. Products are sold as soon as they are harvested, and many traders even have to come to the field to pay in advance to buy rice. Gourmet customers also drive cars to the fields to buy, making the harvest season in Quang Chieu even more bustling.

Growing up with the aroma of sticky rice, with the desire for the "pearls" of her homeland to have a place in the market, Ms. Luong Thi Nong established Chung Thanh Agricultural and Forestry Cooperative. The Cooperative cooperates with 31 households in the commune to produce Cay Noi rice under the OCOP Program. These households are supported by the Cooperative with techniques, fertilizers and help to consume products at stable prices. This is the condition for people to feel secure in developing specialty rice varieties and increasing value, expanding the consumption market, gradually eliminating the situation of "good harvest, low price".

On average, each crop, Chung Thanh Agricultural and Forestry Cooperative harvests about 100 tons of Cay Noi sticky rice, equivalent to the value of finished rice from 700 - 800 million VND/crop. Although people do not sell rice to Chung Thanh Agricultural and Forestry Cooperative, the selling price of Cay Noi sticky rice is still much higher. Specifically, during the main crop, Cay Noi sticky rice costs from 30,000 - 40,000 VND/kg. According to calculations, with the relatively stable selling price in the past time, rice growers can earn a profit of 3 - 3.5 million VND/sao/crop, equivalent to 70 million VND/ha/crop, much higher than native crops. “Thanks to good quality and support in finding outlets, Cay Noi sticky rice is sold as soon as it is produced. The main markets are within the province and major hubs in Hanoi and Ninh Binh province,” said Ms. Luong Thi Nong, director of Chung Thanh Agricultural and Forestry Cooperative.

With the attention and direction of the local Party Committee and government, we believe that Cay Noi sticky rice - a unique agricultural product of Quang Chieu commune - will quickly be welcomed by domestic consumers. Thereby, it will bring high income to the people, contributing positively to the socio-economic development and poverty reduction of this border commune.

Article and photos: Tang Thuy

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/ve-vung-lua-nep-cay-noi-254679.htm