Vinaseed, VFC: VNR88 rice variety increase yields by 20-25%

Integrated solution package

Recently, Vinaseed, in collaboration with VFC, organized a conference to evaluate the demonstration model of the inbred rice variety VNR88 in Vinh Tuong. Both are leading companies in their respective sectors and members of PAN Group.

The conference aimed to evaluate the practical effectiveness of an integrated production model combining high-quality rice varieties and Vinaseed’s cultivation techniques, specifically the inbred rice variety VNR88 together with VFC’s crop protection solution package, including Vitarko 40WG, Amistar Top 325SC, and Amifol K, under farming conditions in Vietnam’s Northern Midlands and Mountainous region.

Speaking at the event, CEO of PAN Group and Chairwoman of Vinaseed Nguyen Thi Tra My, said that through its two member companies leading enterprises in the seed and crop protection sectors, PAN aims to develop a standardized solution package for farmers.

The goal of this integrated solution is to reduce agricultural input costs by using highly resilient seed varieties, thereby helping farmers not only increase productivity but also improve quality standards to meet export requirements in demanding markets.

Currently, the Group’s advantage lies in having many leading companies across different sectors, extensive experience, a deep understanding of farmers’ needs, and research and business networks spanning from North to South Vietnam.

"We will bring the best solution packages to farmers in the coming time," affirmed the head of Vinaseed. According to her, these solutions will prioritize organic-oriented approaches, helping improve productivity and quality while enhancing soil health and delivering the best products to consumers.

In addition to accompanying farmers, PAN Group also works closely with cooperatives and local authorities to introduce synchronized farming techniques and integrated solutions. One key factor emphasized was farmers’ strict compliance with technical cultivation processes.

Only by ensuring such compliance can businesses purchase products at higher prices and export them to international markets at truly premium prices.

Solution package boosts yields by 20-25%

The collaboration between Vinaseed and VFC - two companies within the PAN ecosystem demonstrates a new approach to rice production: synchronizing seed varieties with crop protection solutions to optimize farming efficiency amid climate change challenges.

According to Nguyen Trung Dung, the implementation of the model in Phu Tho stemmed from the reality that using good seed varieties alone is not enough in agricultural production.

Under unfavorable weather conditions, a comprehensive technical solution package is needed to fully unlock the potential of rice varieties, enhance production value, and reduce emissions. The VNR88 rice variety was selected for its strong stems, good lodging resistance, suitability for Northern Vietnam’s conditions, while still ensuring high yield and quality.

From the crop protection perspective, Tran Van Dung, CEO of VFC, said that demonstration models have shown clear effectiveness when applying the process of "right variety, right product, right dosage, right timing" combined with organic-biological products.

A shared strategy between the two companies is the use of science, technology, and synchronized processes as the foundation. Beyond pest control, the integrated solution package manages the entire production chain from soil preparation and nutrition management to productivity enhancement, helping improve soil quality, reduce degradation caused by chemical overuse, and strengthen crop resilience against harsh climate conditions.

In practice, linkage models between Vinaseed and VFC have helped increase yields by 20-25%, while also reducing costs, improving the efficiency of crop protection products, and meeting quality requirements for export-oriented agricultural products. This is seen as a foundation for developing large-scale rice fields with standardized technical processes.

Currently, the model is being strongly implemented from the Central Highlands to Northern Vietnam and is expected to be expanded to the Mekong Delta, the country’s key rice-producing region aiming to widely replicate an efficient and sustainable farming approach.

According to Dang Thanh Cong, the decision to adopt this model stems from the suitability of the rice variety to local soil conditions, while also solving the “synchronization challenge” in cultivation practices.

When implemented, technical staff from VFC directly go to the fields to guide farmers on using the right products at the right time, significantly reducing both the effort required for learning and the additional costs previously incurred from purchasing scattered inputs.

Field production results show that the VNR88 rice variety has strong growth performance: fast germination, early recovery after transplanting, and concentrated tillering. The plants are sturdy with upright leaves, showing fairly good resistance to pests and adverse weather conditions. Notably, the filled grain rate reaches between 370 and over 400 grains per panicle, with dense grain density, resulting in yields that exceed expectations and are significantly higher than many locally cultivated varieties.

The model is currently being piloted on an area of more than 2 hectares in Vinh Tuong. Based on initial results, the cooperative plans to expand to 10-20 hectares in the next crop season and potentially reach 70-80 hectares in the Winter - Spring crop, moving toward large-scale production under a standardized cultivation process.

Putting enterprises at the core

According to Nguyen Van Quan, in crop production, especially rice cultivation synchronizing all stages from seed selection, crop care, pest management to harvesting and processing plays a crucial role.

He emphasized that this value chain is the core driver that enables rice varieties to fully realize their yield potential, ensure product quality, and increase income value per unit of cultivated area. This also serves as a foundation for transitioning from small-scale production to large-scale, controlled commodity-based agriculture in Phu Tho.

Currently, the province has around 80,000 hectares of specialized rice cultivation land. Under its development orientation toward 2030, Phu Tho aims to preserve and maintain between 42,000 and 47,000 hectares of high-quality rice production associated with large-scale farming models. To achieve this target, the province is prioritizing synchronized solutions ranging from seed varieties and cultivation processes to crop protection, with the goal of improving quality and gradually building a provincial rice brand.

Notably, according to Mr. Quan, enterprises are identified as the core driver, playing the central role throughout the entire production chain. Businesses participate from input supply to product output, connecting different stages and leading the market. Without the role of enterprises, establishing an effective and sustainable agricultural value chain would be extremely difficult.