Reviving a Legacy: The Journey of Nghia Binh Sticky Rice (Nep Cai Hoa Vang)
In the heart of Nam Dinh Province, Northern Vietnam, lies a remarkable story of resilience, innovation, and tradition. The Nghia Binh Agricultural Cooperative (NBAC) is finding the way to restore the quality and reputation of one of Vietnam’s most cherished rice varieties: Nep Cai Hoa Vang.
For generations, Nep Cai Hoa Vang has been known for its signature fragrance, sticky texture, and rich flavor. It’s more than just a crop—it’s a part of the region’s identity. At NBAC, with over 1,300 farmer members, cultivating this rice isn’t just business, it’s a way of life.
But as farming methods modernized, quality began to slip. Overuse of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, along with aging seed varieties, led to a noticeable decline. “Nghia Binh sticky rice is no longer as fragrant as in the past,” said Mr. Chien, NBAC’s Chairman and Director. However, that decline made a turning point.
Embracing Change: Climate-Smart Farming
With support from Agriterra Cooperative Advisors (CAs), the team began rethinking how rice was growing. We used a tool called the Climate Clever Check to identify ways to reduce chemical inputs and make farming more sustainable.
In 2023, NBAC tested a new variety—Dong Trieu sticky rice from Quang Ninh province. Unfortunately, it didn’t perform well due to differences in soil and climate. But even in failure, valuable lessons were learned.
A Breakthrough: Returning to the Roots
Hope returned in early 2024, together with 02 Agriterra local cooperative advisor, NBAC purchase 55kg of original Nep Cai Hoa Vang from the Conventional Rice Research and Development Center in Hai Duong Province. Researchers there had successfully revived the original Nep Cai Hoa Vang under a project funded by a private company—one known for both its quality and resilience.
They piloted the seed on 1 hectare of Mr. Chien’s own land. It was a gamble—but one worth taking.
The Results? Stunning.
The 2024 pilot was a major success. Alongside 4 additional hectares managed by 39 farming households, all plots used Agri-dynamics organic fertilizer. The outcomes were impressive:
- Pesticide use dropped by 50%
- Yields increased by 20–30%
- Rice quality has significantly improved
The grains were fuller, the aroma returned, and the signature sticky texture came back stronger than ever. It wasn’t just good rice, it was great rice, just like the old days.
What’s Next?
With the pilot’s success, NBAC is going all in. In 2025, they plan to expand the revived Nep Cai Hoa Vang variety to 15 hectares, involving over 100 farming households. They will keep scaling up organic practices, improve climate resilience, and build a more sustainable future for both the farmers and the land.
This isn’t just a comeback story, it’s a roadmap for the future. By blending traditional knowledge with modern science, NBAC is showing how local communities can take control of their food systems, preserve cultural heritage, and lead the way in climate-smart agriculture.
The journey of Nghia Binh sticky rice is a powerful reminder: sometimes, the best way forward is to look back—then move ahead with new tools, strong partnerships, and a deep respect for the land. For NBAC and its farmers, the future looks fragrant, sticky, and bright.
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