Tran Quang Vu & Ho Kim Uyen
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Gạo Ông Cua ST25 is a purpose-driven rice initiative built on the legacy of Mr. Ho Quang Cua, creator of the ST25 rice variety—crowned the World’s Best Rice in 2019 and 2023. Our mission is to uplift Vietnamese farmers through high-quality seeds, fair pricing, and sustainable farming practices. With thousand of tons of certified seed distributed annually, our work spans economic empowerment, climate resilience, and global branding. Today, ST25 rice is exported worldwide and represents the pride of Vietnam’s agriculture. Our initiative blends tradition, innovation, and impact—rooted in legacy and grown through global vision.
Protect your intellectual property early, focus on authenticity, and never underestimate the power of legacy.
I was inspired by Mr. Ho Quang Cua—founder of the ST24 and ST25 rice varieties, and my father-in-law—who dedicated over 40 years to developing high-quality rice seeds to uplift Vietnamese farmers. ST25 was later crowned the World’s Best Rice in 2019 and 2023, transforming livelihoods and elevating Vietnam’s agricultural reputation globally.
My proudest moment was defending the ST25 trademark against foreign attempts to claim it. That same year, my wife and I launched "Gạo Ông Cua ST25" with a vision to protect this innovation and build a legacy-driven, globally recognized brand. Today, our rice is sold in premium supermarkets across Vietnam and Asian markets in the U.S., Canada, and Australia. Most importantly, we continue to improve farmers’ lives through access to quality seeds and sustainable farming.
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Each year, we distribute 8,000 tons of certified ST25 seed—supporting cultivation across 80,000 hectares and generating over 520,000 tons of premium paddy rice. Farmers receive 15–30% higher prices, with an estimated farmgate value of over $205 million USD annually. Our seeds also enable Vietnamese rice brands to compete globally, with ST25 now exported under various brands to markets in Japan, France, the UK, and beyond. ST25 thrives in the shrimp–rice rotation model, a sustainable practice that protects land and doubles income. Our farmers also adopt Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) methods, cutting methane emissions by 10–15% per crop.
These practices align with Vietnam’s climate goals. Being part of the RMIT community has amplified our impact. We’ve been invited to speak to students in strategy, branding, and sustainability classes. Our ongoing collaboration with the Food Technology department explores the science behind sustainable shrimp–rice farming. My advice to fellow entrepreneurs is simple: protect your intellectual property early, focus on authenticity, and never underestimate the power of legacy. ST25 proves that Vietnamese agriculture, when nurtured with care, can achieve global excellence and transform rural communities for the better.