Two rice varieties of ThaiBinh Seed pave the way for Cao Bang

Across the fields nestled between the mountain ranges of Cao Bang Province, fragmented terrain, unpredictable weather, and specific cultivation habits present a landscape where not every rice variety can take root and thrive. Consequently, identifying hybrid rice varieties that adapt well to mountainous conditions, possess strong resilience, and deliver stable yields alongside good grain quality has long been a paramount focus for the local agricultural sector.

Driven by these practical production requirements, ThaiBinh Seed Group Joint Stock Company recently co-organized a field seminar to evaluate two hybrid rice varieties, TBH456 and QL301, in Group 8, Thuc Phan Ward, Cao Bang Province. These two rice varieties were sown and tended to directly on local farmers' fields to verify their adaptability under actual farming conditions. The demonstration model serves as a foundation for local farmers, technical officers, and the regional agricultural sector to collectively assess efficiency before considering integrating them into future production structures.

Stepping into the fields, the immediate notable observations are the uniform green growth, sturdy plants, rigid stalks, compact leaf structures, and decent tillering. Despite experiencing multiple weather fluctuations during this spring crop, both rice varieties maintained stable growth, developed uniformly, and suffered minimal pest pressure. These varieties not only adapt exceptionally well to mountainous farming conditions but also display high yield potential and strong economic efficiency.

Among them, TBH456 impressed with its strong growth from the beginning of the season. The plants are sturdy, the panicles are large, the grains are firm, the rice fields develop uniformly, and the green color persists until the end of the season. Not only is it high-yielding, but the variety is also highly valued for its rice quality; the cooked rice is soft, sticky, and flavorful, meeting consumer demands. In addition, its relatively good resistance to pests and diseases such as blast and brown planthopper, along with its cold tolerance and lodging resistance, makes TBH456 a suitable choice for production areas frequently affected by unfavorable weather or with limited investment in care.

Meanwhile, QL301 showed its advantage in stability. Despite the spring season with many fluctuating weather conditions, the variety maintained good growth, with sturdy plants, few pests and diseases, and healthy and uniform plant development. With high productivity and suitable raw material quality for processing, Highway 301 not only helps farmers more easily care for, manage their fields and harvest, but also opens up more options for commercial rice production in a way that enhances value.

Ms. Ma Thi Tra My, Deputy Director of the Cao Bang Provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment, acknowledged ThaiBinh Seed’s efforts in bringing new hybrid rice varieties for trial cultivation right on local fields. According to her, evaluating through practical models equips the local agricultural sector with solid scientific and practical grounds to select varieties tailored to the province's production conditions and, step by step, add them to seed structures for upcoming crops.

"For a mountainous province like Cao Bang, each newly selected rice variety does not merely signify an extra production alternative; it unlocks opportunities to maximize cultivation efficiency on fields historically constrained by geography and weather," Ms. My evaluated. "Therefore, continuing to trial and select rice varieties with high yields, premium quality, strong resilience, and adaptability to specific cultivation conditions will remain a vital direction to elevate the value of rice grains and boost incomes for farmers."

Through the demonstration models of TBH456 and QL301, ThaiBinh Seed continues to accompany localities in refining their crop variety structures, bringing agricultural breakthroughs closer to the fields. If these two rice varieties continue to assert their edges over upcoming production seasons, they will gain further opportunities to expand their cultivation acreage, contributing to stable, efficient, and sustainable production in Cao Bang.

ThaiBinh Seed owns more than 30 copyrighted plant varieties. ThaiBinh Seed's rice varieties have made a significant contribution to the restructuring of crop cultivation in Thai Binh province in particular and the whole country in general, meeting 20% ​​of the national rice seed market share.