Chau Minh Hai (L)

Minh Hai’s company collaborates with farmers from the eastern districts of Tien Giang province on a large-scale rice field program that has a total area of 2,300 hectares. Participating farmers receive advice from the company’s technical staff and are given agricultural supplies on credit, often with no interest.

In the past three years, the HK company has supplied 5,000 tons of fertilizer to farmers to reduce input costs, improve productivity, enhance crop quality, and increase profitability. To encourage farmers to cultivate VD20 rice on the large field model, the company has given them seeds, organic fertilizers, and pesticides on interest-free credit, and paid them an extra 12 USD per hectare at harvest time.

"Twenty years ago rice farmers earned very little profit. I wanted to do something to help them. If rice cultivation grows, my company will also grow. 10 years ago I encourage them to adopt a large rice field model, and it has proved to be effective. The right production process is the most important thing, because it minimizes the required investment,” said Hai.

By growing rice in large fields linked with Minh Hai’s company, farmers earn a net profit of 50-55% of their total revenue per crop. The company is working to develop areas growing high quality rice for export to markets like China, Japan, Europe, and the United States.

HK is also collaborating with the Agricultural Service Center of Go Cong Tay district to implement the "organic-oriented safe rice production model", which adheres to European standards for pesticide residue control, in Dong Thanh, Binh Phu, Thanh Tri, Yen Luong, and Thanh Cong commune. With this model, farmers save approximately 80 USD per hectare and earn an additional 150 USD per hectare, thanks to guaranteed prices.

The model helps localities establish business connections to create a value chain for specialty rice, form clean rice production zones for export to demanding markets, and promote the "Go Cong rice" brand.

Nguyen Van Tu, who used to work for Tien Giang province’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said Hai is very dedicated. “He has participated in many programs and models of the State and Tien Giang province’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. Many of the programs have been quite successful and effective.”

After establishing a high-quality rice zone, Minh Hai partnered with rice milling and processing plants in the region to produce premium rice products under the brand name "Gaochukeo – Tien Giang specialty rice.

“I’ll continue to replicate this model to produce rice products that meet food safety and hygiene standards. I’m also aiming at foreign businesses that are searching for certified rice brands for export. Once we start exporting, the price of rice will increase significantly,” said Hai.

In 2023, Chau Minh Hai is honored by the Vietnam Farmers' Union as one of 100 "Outstanding Farmers of Vietnam."

Thanks to his contributions to agriculture and new rural development in Tien Giang province and improving farming techniques and farmers’ income, Chau Minh Hai has been honored with several prestigious awards, including a Certificate of Merit from the Chairman of the Provincial Farmers' Union, and a Certificate of Merit from the Chairman of the People's Committee of Tien Giang province.

In 2023, Hai was honored by the Vietnam Farmers' Union as one of 100 "Outstanding Farmers of Vietnam."