According to statistics, the entire province currently has about 190 units participating in the production and trading of crop seeds, with more than 180 units focusing on groups of food crops such as rice and corn... However, most of these establishments are involved in buying and selling rice seeds imported from elsewhere to supply the people, and none produce seeds characteristic of the province. This reality keeps the locality dependent on seed sources outside the province.

Nguyễn Thị Xuân, the owner of a seed business in Pom La urban area (Mường Thanh ward), said: Most of the seeds sold are imported from other units and localities because Điện Biên currently has no rice seed production facility. We mainly source rice seeds from units such as the Central Crop Seed Company for varieties like Bắc Thơm, Nếp, and Đài Thơm. Other specialty rice varieties, such as Séng Cù and Vãi Gãy, are imported from Lào Cai province...

Regarding the proposal to establish a specialized seed production area in Điện Biên, Xuân seemed quite cautious. “Previously, there was a seed production facility in the province, but the product was poorly received by the residents. This reality makes local self-production of seeds quite difficult,” Xuân expressed.

In the context where the province is orienting towards building a high-quality rice brand, the lack of a centralized seed production area not only causes difficulties for businesses but also directly affects the stability of rice production on the largest field in the Northwest. Quản Bá Tới, Director of Thanh Yên General Service Cooperative (Thanh Yên commune), said: The current situation is that the rice varieties cultivated by Điện Biên residents are entirely imported from other provinces. This makes it very difficult to ensure suitability, adaptability, and economic efficiency. Meanwhile, some other localities have already planned seed production areas, meeting the immediate needs of their own localities, while our province lacks land for this purpose. Therefore, the issue of conserving and developing characteristic rice varieties of the Mường Thanh rice field becomes even more important.

The complete dependence on external seed sources leads to unstable quality. Seed production units may pursue commercial goals, but Điện Biên urgently needs specialty varieties that suit the unique climate and soil conditions of the Mường Thanh rice field. If the seed quality is not up to standard or does not meet local criteria, it will be very difficult to create uniform products that meet the standards for brand building.

As Điện Biên strives to elevate its specialty rice brand, establishing mechanisms and policies to encourage units to research and produce characteristic rice seeds for the Mường Thanh rice field becomes an urgent requirement. The reality shows that Điện Biên rice already has a stable market and is favored by consumers. However, to maintain this position, the province needs to be more proactive in creating high-quality rice seed production areas, with clear regulations, publicly available technical standards, and strict management.

The complete dependence on seed sources outside the province poses many risks, from uneven quality to the danger of losing varieties suitable for the specific soil conditions of the Mường Thanh rice field. Meanwhile, the issue of seed copyright is receiving increasing attention, requiring the province to proactively select, research, and secure characteristic seed sources.

To maintain the brand, production households are obliged to use standard, high-quality seed sources. If the seeds are not standard or suitable, the rice quality will decline, thereby affecting the reputation of the production area and causing consumers to lose confidence. This is a loss not only for individual farmers but also for the Điện Biên rice brand as a whole. Therefore, building policies to facilitate businesses and cooperatives to invest in seed production areas, supporting research, testing new varieties, and conserving indigenous varieties is a key task.

Currently, the Mường Thanh rice field has many high-quality rice varieties such as Séng Cù, Bắc Thơm, Dự Hương, Đài Thơm, and specialty sticky rice varieties. Residents often choose varieties based on cultivation conditions and market demand, but to optimize production efficiency, a unified seed management system is needed. To maintain and sustainably develop the Điện Biên rice brand, it is essential to first identify seed sources suitable for each market segment. Alongside the involvement of specialized agencies, residents should not save rice grains as seeds for the next season, as this will not ensure quality, reduce productivity, and directly affect the rice quality.

Today, the grain of rice on the Mường Thanh rice field has become an agricultural product, a symbol of the history of cultivation and the cultural value of the Northwestern region. In the coming time, to build a stable and sustainable brand for Điện Biên rice, the agricultural sector needs to focus on developing and creating high-quality characteristic seed sources, accompanying businesses, supporting farmers, and perfecting the seed management mechanism. Only then can the Điện Biên rice brand reach further, become the pride of the region, and aim to conquer the international market.