New vitality in the rice granary of Ia Lau buffer zone

(GLO)- Ia Lau rice fields (Gia Lai province) are considered the main rice granary in the border buffer zone. People not only change their farming practices but also apply science and technology, introducing many new high-yield rice varieties into production to build the "Ia Lau Rice" brand for sustainable development.

Prosperous rice granary of the buffer zone

These days, the rice fields in Ia Lau commune are stretching out in a green color. With some areas sown early, people are harvesting with combine harvesters and straw rollers instead of human labor; tractors are also used to transport rice from the fields to homes in a spreading excitement.

Combine harvester is harvesting Chau Van Chi Tam's rice field. Photo: Nguyen Diep

Mr. Chau Van Chi Tam (Tu village, Ia Lau commune) has been growing 5 hectares of rice in Ia Lau field for nearly 20 years. Previously, when there was no irrigation system, people mainly relied on rainwater, used old rice varieties, and did not apply technical advances, so rice productivity was low.

Since the State invested in building the Ia Lau and Ia Lop dams and the Plei Pai reservoir, along with the main canal system and the internal canals to bring water to each field, people have actively reclaimed land to expand the production area; applied synchronous mechanization from land preparation, sowing to harvesting... In particular, new rice varieties suitable for the climate and soil have been introduced into production such as: HT1, OM4900, DV108, Dai Thom 8...

“The investment cost for 1 hectare of rice is nearly 20 million VND/ha. Currently, my family's average rice yield is 7 tons/ha, after deducting expenses, the profit is 20 million VND/ha. Compared to long-term industrial crops such as coffee, pepper, durian, it is not as good, but it creates a stable source of income,” Chau calculated.

Similarly, for many years now, Mrs. Vu Thi Mat's family (Me village) has also produced 8 hectares of double-crop rice; focusing mainly on Dai Thom 8 and DV108 varieties, supplying traders inside and outside the commune.

According to Mrs. Mat, the average yield of the Summer-Autumn crop is often lower than that of the Winter-Spring crop due to the frequent impact of natural disasters. For example, her family's 8 hectares of rice yielded about 40 tons in the Summer-Autumn crop, while in the Winter-Spring crop alone, she was sure to harvest 60-70 tons of dry rice.

"My family has invested in buying a plow and a combine harvester to serve both the family and provide services to people in and outside the commune. The investment cost for plowing, seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides is approximately 18 million VND/ha. Rice cultivation is more stable than corn and cassava. If the rice price is stable at 7,000 VND/kg or more, after deducting costs, I will make a profit of nearly 20 million VND/ha," said Mrs. Mat happily.

Ms. Vu Thi Mat dries the newly harvested Summer-Autumn rice. Photo: Nguyen Diep

According to information from the People's Committee of Ia Lau commune, after the merger, the area of ​​​​two-crop rice in the commune is about 1,429 hectares, with an average yield of 7-7.5 tons/ha. Currently, people in the commune have proactively produced rice suitable to the local climate and soil conditions; applying mechanization from land preparation, sowing, and harvesting. Thanks to that, labor days have been reduced, while avoiding late-season drought and harmful pests. Rice is gradually bringing a prosperous and prosperous life to people in the Ia Lau buffer zone.

Open the way for sustainable development

According to the Economic Department of Ia Lau commune, currently, in addition to the main varieties such as Dai Thom 8, DV 108, some households also use new rice varieties with high yield and quality such as: TBR39, ST25...

In 2021, the Department of Intellectual Property ( Ministry of Science and Technology ) granted the "Ia Lau Rice" trademark certificate thanks to its more fragrant and delicious quality than other regions. This is a lever for the locality to form a specialized rice growing area, targeting domestic and foreign consumption markets.

Since then, people no longer produce on a small scale as before, but concentrate on commodity production; at the same time, they link consumption with cooperatives and businesses inside and outside the province, opening up a direction for sustainable rice development.

Me villagers check rice fields ready for harvest. Photo: Nguyen Diep

Speaking to reporters, Mr. Bui Van Tien - Vice Chairman of Ia Lau Commune People's Committee - said: Rice was one of the main crops of the people of Ia Lau and Ia Pior communes before the merger. This achievement is thanks to the stable water source from irrigation works invested in and built by the State.

In addition, all levels, sectors and localities prioritize resources to transfer scientific and technological advances, bringing new rice varieties with high productivity and quality, suitable for soil and climate conditions for people to produce. The lives of local people have changed a lot thanks to that.

People of Ia Lau commune transport early-harvested rice in the 2025 Summer-Autumn crop. Photo: Nguyen Diep

“In the coming time, the Commune People's Committee will direct specialized agencies to focus on guiding people to promote the application of scientific and technical advances in production. Along with that, building demonstration models of new high-yield, high-quality rice varieties will help people access and put them into mass production.

In addition, we also focus on forming production linkage groups linking rice consumption between farmers and cooperatives and enterprises to increase the economic value of rice, improve the quality of life for people, and contribute to ensuring national defense and security in border areas. In particular, we continue to build and enhance the brand of "Ia Lau Rice", providing quality products to consumers in and outside the province" - Mr. Tien added.

Source: https://baogialai.com.vn/suc-song-moi-o-vua-lua-vung-dem-ia-lau-post565700.html