The KCR06-1 hybrid rice variety shows good adaptation to the rice-shrimp farming conditions, with drought tolerance and pest resistance, helping farmers reduce production risks.

Climate Change Challenges

In recent years, farmers in the rice-shrimp farming areas of the Ca Mau Peninsula have faced severe challenges due to climate change. However, amid the difficulties, the joy of a good rice crop and high prices is a strong source of encouragement for them.

A successful rice crop not only provides a stable income but also demonstrates the farmers' adaptation to unpredictable climate changes. By adopting modern farming methods and using advanced technology, they have optimized production, thereby minimizing the impact of climate change on their crops.

Southern Seed Corporation (SSC) held a seminar in Ninh Thanh Loi A Commune, Hong Dan District. Photo: Trong Linh.

Another important aspect is the high prices, where farmers truly feel the value of their hard work. Government support policies and close cooperation with business units have helped enhance the market value of agricultural products, providing farmers with fair income and encouraging them to maintain sustainable farming practices.

However, these successes are not easy to achieve. Farmers still face climate change, storms, droughts, and even sudden changes in weather. To overcome these challenges, innovation in farming techniques and investment in scientific research are crucial factors.

KCR06-1 hybrid rice adapts to the shrimp-rice farming area of the Ca Mau Peninsula. Photo: Trong Linh.

Effective Adaptation of KCR06-1 Hybrid Rice

Amid the challenges posed by climate change, the joy of successfully breeding a new rice variety has brought great hope to farmers in the shrimp-rice farming area.

The development of hybrid rice varieties that can adapt to the shrimp-rice farming conditions is a significant step forward. Researchers have focused on creating rice varieties with drought tolerance, pest resistance, short growth periods, and especially climate adaptability, helping farmers reduce production risks.

The flexibility of hybrid rice not only helps stabilize yields but also reduces dependence on chemical pest control measures, and decreases the amount of water needed for cultivation. This not only helps reduce the pressure of facing climate change but also creates a sustainable farming ecosystem.

When it comes to hybrid rice, people often think of high yield but average grain quality. However, few people know that there is a hybrid rice brand from Southern Seed Joint Stock Company (SSC), a member of the VINASEED Group, that not only offers high yields, excellent salt tolerance but also very delicious rice quality. This is a breakthrough hybrid rice variety: “KCR06-1 Hybrid Rice”.

Many farmers highly appreciate the quality of the KCR06-1 hybrid rice for its fragrance, stickiness, and delicious taste. Photo: Trong Linh.

According to reports from various districts like Tran Van Thoi, Thoi Binh (Ca Mau Province), An Minh, An Bien, U Minh Thuong (Kien Giang Province), and Hong Dan, Phuoc Long Districts of Bac Lieu Province, farmers growing hybrid rice in the shrimp-rice farming area are cheerful. They share the common sentiment: The KCR06-1 hybrid rice from SSC is performing very well this season.

The KCR06-1 hybrid rice is highly rated by traders, and all cultivated fields have been pre-ordered at high prices. We stopped by the rice field of Danh To Nit (Kos Thum Hamlet, Ninh Thanh Loi Commune, Hong Dan District, Bac Lieu Province), who shared: "When growing the KCR06-1 hybrid rice, I found it suitable for the shrimp-rice farming area. The seedlings grow very well, produce strong tillers, sturdy plants, and excellent salt tolerance. We only need to use a small amount of seeds, from 3.0-3.5 kg per cong, but the yield is high and stable. Traders have pre-ordered everything at high prices. We are very happy and will encourage our neighbors and family to continue planting KCR06-1 in the next season."

According to Nit, the KCR06-1 hybrid rice currently has more than 500 hectares under contract at high prices equivalent to high-quality rice segments. Seeing the real benefits, many households have registered for the next season, with an estimated 1,000 hectares and about 900 participating households.

The KCR06-1 hybrid rice is being implemented in Hong Dan District. Photo: Trong Linh.

Dinh Van Hien, 70 years old (Chom Cao Hamlet, Ninh Thanh Loi A Commune, Hong Dan District), shared: "Since the KCR06-1 rice variety was introduced to this area, farmers have been very excited. I observed that this variety produces long panicles, bright grains, firm, and fragrant with a milk aroma. It adapts well, is less prone to diseases, and the production cost is only 70-80% of previous varieties. The most important thing is that the KCR06-1 rice is very delicious, fragrant, and sticky."

Bach Thi Vung, Deputy Director of the Research and Development Center of the Vietnam Seed Corporation (Vinaseed Group) and the creator of the KCR06-1 hybrid rice variety, as well as the famous purebred rice varieties Dai Thom 8 and HR182, shared: “Previously, when it came to hybrid rice, people only thought of high yields but poor grain quality and low disease resistance, mostly imported hybrid rice varieties.

Afterward, we received the KC06 project from the Ministry of Science and Technology, which aimed to create a fragrant hybrid rice variety that meets export standards and was tested in the Mekong Delta. This project laid the foundation for the development of the KCR06-1 hybrid rice variety. Currently, this rice variety is present in the provinces of the Mekong Delta, particularly thriving in rice-shrimp farming areas such as Ca Mau, Kien Giang, and Bac Lieu.

Ms. Bach Thi Vung, Deputy Director of the Research and Development Center of the Vietnam Seed Corporation (Vinaseed Group) and author of the F1 hybrid rice variety KCR06-1. Photo: Trọng Linh.

Ms. Bach Thi Vung, Deputy Director of the Research and Development Center of the Vietnam Seed Corporation (Vinaseed Group) and author of the F1 hybrid rice variety KCR06-1, shared that besides having a higher yield than traditional rice varieties by 15-20%, KCR06-1 also achieves high quality, with clear, long, fragrant grains meeting export standards. It is now present in the Philippine market and undergoing trials in Myanmar. Additionally, the superior characteristics of this variety include an average yield of 8-9 tons per hectare, and with intensive cultivation, it can reach 10-12 tons per hectare.

Furthermore, the KCR06-1 variety is easy to sow, requiring less seed due to its vigorous tillering, which is difficult for purebred varieties to match. It is well suited to the clustered sowing model currently popular.

Emission Reduction

Mr. Nguyen Quoc Phong, Deputy General Director of Southern Seed Joint Stock Company, shared that to successfully implement the project "Sustainable development of 1 million hectares of high-quality, low-emission rice cultivation linked with green growth in the Mekong Delta by 2030," SSC is very focused on selecting varieties suitable for climate change, stabilizing yield and quality, and reducing emissions by reducing the amount of seed sown, while ensuring the output quality is fragrant and delicious rice, providing high economic value to farmers.

According to Mr. Phong, the KCR06-1 hybrid rice variety helps farmers reduce the amount of seed sown. The rice produced meets high-quality standards, and the short-duration rice withstands salinity up to 4-5‰.

Mr. Tran Van Na (right), Head of Bac Lieu Plant Protection Department, and Mr. Nguyen Quoc Phong, Deputy General Director of Southern Seed Joint Stock Company. Photo: Trọng Linh.

Mr. Tran Van Na, Head of Bac Lieu Plant Protection Department, assessed that the KCR06-1 hybrid rice variety has many advantages, meeting the needs of farmers in rice-shrimp farming areas, with drought tolerance and pest resistance. In addition to helping farmers reduce production risks and bringing joy and hope amid the increasing challenges of climate change, this variety effectively supports reducing chemical and water use while promoting sustainable farming methods.

The KCR06-1 hybrid rice variety was nationally recognized in 2019 under the KC.06/11-15 National Science and Technology Program of the Ministry of Science and Technology.

Witnessing the farmers' joy over the fragrant KCR06-1 hybrid rice fields, with both good harvests and high prices, has greatly motivated the staff of Southern Seed Joint Stock Company. This is a significant motivation for SSC scientists to continue researching and releasing excellent varieties, bringing bountiful harvests to farmers, living up to SSC's motto - For the life of farmers.

(According to Nông nghiệp Việt Nam)