2 examples of successful entrepreneurs

(ABO) In recent times, the movement of farmers' association members and war veterans' association members competing in production, excelling in economic activities, and contributing to the construction of new rural areas has been widely implemented in Go Cong Tay district, Tien Giang province. This has resulted in the emergence of many exemplary individuals who are diligent in their work, rising to achieve legitimate wealth, and making positive contributions to the construction of new rural areas in the district.

MR. BOT AND HIS BIOLOGICALLY SAFE MODEL FOR GROWING GREEN-SKINNED POMELO

In Binh An hamlet, Vinh Huu commune, Go Cong Tay district, if you ask about the model of growing bio-safe green pomelos adapted to climate change, almost everyone knows Mr. Duong Van Bot (born in 1964, residing in Binh An hamlet).

With 7 acres of orchard land, Mr. Bot grows green pomelos using bio-safe methods and has achieved encouraging results. His pomelo orchard is now over 8 years old. Mr. Bot shared that during the cultivation process, he consistently followed bio-safe production methods, such as limiting the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and exclusively using microbial fertilizers.

In addition, Mr. Bot uses large quantities of goat and chicken manure, composted with probiotics for about 6 months, to fertilize the trees. On the grapefruit trees, Mr. Bot uses light traps to attract fruit-boring insects, and periodically uses a powerful well water spray system to clean the tree roots and trunks, minimizing bacterial and insect damage. Therefore, his grapefruit orchard produces fruit that meets export standards.

Mr. Bot said that currently, the entire yield of green pomelos from his orchard is purchased by a company in Ben Tre province. With the current average price of about 20,000 VND/kg (for fruits weighing 900 grams or more), Mr. Bot harvests over 5 tons of pomelos annually, bringing in hundreds of millions of VND in income for his family.

Sharing with us, Mr. Bot said that in addition to this 8-year-old green pomelo orchard, he has also invested in 3 acres of land to plant more green pomelo trees to replace the aging ones.

Mr. Bot takes care of the grapefruit orchard.

According to the People's Committee of Vinh Huu commune, the green pomelo orchard of Mr. Duong Van Bot's household is an effective model selected by the Tien Giang Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to be developed as a model pomelo orchard adapting to climate change in Go Cong Tay district. It also serves as a learning destination for Farmers' Associations from districts and communes/towns in Go Cong Tay district.

Veteran Do Huu Hanh earns a decent income from growing antique ornamental plants.

Veteran Do Huu Hanh (born in 1959, residing in Thanh Lac Dong hamlet, Thanh Nhut commune) is known for his active participation in economic activities and enthusiastic involvement in the Association's movements and the new rural development movement.

Mr. Hanh recounted that in 1977, he served in the military in Cambodia, and later worked in the Army in Go Cong Dong district. After retiring, he became involved in the Veterans Association branch in Thanh Lac Dong hamlet, Thanh Nhut commune.

Mr. Hanh said that caring for ornamental plants has been his passion since he was young. Recognizing the advantage of his locality as the cradle of ancient dwarf plum blossom trees, he invested capital to collect more than 150 dwarf plum blossom trees from all over the country to care for, nurture, and shape. From 2010 to the present, his dwarf plum blossom garden has grown to around 200 mature dwarf plum blossom trees, with more than 50 pairs of dwarf plum blossom trees already formed into mother-and-child shapes, ready for sale in a short time.

Mr. Hanh takes care of the ornamental garden.

Mr. Hanh takes care of the ornamental plants.

"Currently, the average price for a pair of medium-sized dwarf apricot bonsai trees is around 10 million VND. Larger pairs of antique dwarf apricot bonsai trees with beautiful root systems and round canopies are more valuable. Usually, I mainly nurture the trees until they are fully formed, then I sell or trade them when the price is right, mainly to recoup my investment and have the means to continue pursuing my passion for collecting and crafting antique bonsai trees," Mr. Hanh shared.

Mr. Hanh shared that his bonsai skills stemmed partly from innate talent, and the rest from guidance from friends and traditional bonsai artisans in the Thanh Nhut Commune Traditional Bonsai Association.

He said that as long as he has his health, he will continue to work in the garden and tend to his plants, both for relaxation and as a source of income.

Mr. Hanh's ornamental garden is a frequent destination for veterans' associations in the district to visit and learn from his experience. Mr. Hanh always provides enthusiastic guidance and shares his expertise with anyone interested in and passionate about cultivating traditional ornamental plants.

In particular, he also propagated and cultivated many types of trees to give to people in the village, and planted ornamental trees around his house or along the roadside to beautify the area.

Mr. Hanh shared that since the local area started building new rural areas, he has proactively worked with residents in his hamlet to regularly collect waste, clean up the environment, and trim trees that obstruct visibility along the roads; he has also encouraged people to participate in planting various types of trees and flowers to beautify the roads.