The man who restored 40 varieties of seasonal rice was recognized as a 'farmer's scientist'

Mr. Le Quoc Viet next to his family's rice field - Photo: CHI CONG

On the afternoon of September 23, Mr. Do Tran Thinh - Chairman of the Farmers' Association of Kien Giang province - said that the Central Executive Committee of the Vietnam Farmers' Association has just decided to recognize Mr. Le Quoc Viet in Minh Luong town (Chau Thanh district, Kien Giang ) as "Farmer Scientist" for the 4th time in 2024.

Mr. Thinh added that Mr. Viet has contributed a lot to the province's agriculture in the past time, especially in restoring 40 varieties of seasonal rice, writing books about seasonal rice... Mr. Viet's seasonal rice model has been effective in restoring many seasonal rice varieties - rice plants that carry the cultural values of the Vietnamese people. In addition, he also shares knowledge about seasonal rice with students in the West.

"This is a bright spot for Kien Giang agriculture. Through this, local people change their perception of farming in a new trend, farming in harmony with nature, suitable for climate change, focusing on economic value, changing and improving the quality of people's lives," Mr. Thinh emphasized.

Previously, Tuoi Tre Online reported that from 2016 until now, he has divided his family's fields into different small plots to sow seasonal rice varieties that are now very rare such as Than Nong 5 (IR5), Than Nong 8 (IR8), Tao Huong, Chau Hong Vo, Sa Quay, Mot Bui, Mong Chim Roi and Nang Thom Con Vinh Quoi... (origin of Nang Thom Cho Dao).

For the above rice varieties, he took the trouble to go to institutes and universities to ask for genetic resources to restore the crop.

"Up until now, I have done it out of passion, preserving for myself and for the younger generation the image of the seasonal rice plant. I collected seasonal rice plants from my ancestors, then researched and applied technology to make them. Now that my efforts have been recognized by society, I am very happy and grateful. I also tell myself to do my best to preserve and promote the value of this seasonal rice plant," Mr. Le Quoc Viet happily said.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/nguoi-phuc-dung-40-giong-lua-mua-duoc-cong-nhan-nha-khoa-hoc-cua-nha-nong-20240923173338271.htm