The path to wealth
In the misty haze of the year-end days, the orange groves of Bao Phuong Cooperative in the old Huong Tho commune, now Vu Quang commune ( Ha Tinh province), seem to be draped in a warm golden hue. Each ripe, plump orange hangs from the trees, waiting to be harvested and sold. This place, once a barren hillside overgrown with weeds, has been transformed by Mr. Doan Ngoc Bao into a multi-million dollar organic orange orchard.
Born into a farming family, Doan Ngoc Bao spent his childhood surrounded by rice paddies and accompanying his father to the hills to tend to the orange groves. After graduating from the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry at Tay Nguyen University, Doan Ngoc Bao was hired to work at the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Dak Nong province. Despite working in a place considered a dream job for many, this young man from Ha Tinh province harbored a strong desire to develop his own agricultural model.
Therefore, after working for the government for some time, in 2015, he decided to return to his hometown of Vu Quang, Ha Tinh province, to start a business growing oranges. His decision at the time worried his family, drew criticism from neighbors, and many shook their heads, thinking, "People dream of having a government job, why would he give it up?"
"My hometown is still poor, so getting an education and working in a government agency like I did is considered a success. Therefore, when I decided to quit my job and return home to do agriculture , many people were hesitant, and my family was worried. But at that time, I was determined, so I always tried my best," Bao shared.
Starting his business in the rocky, hilly land of Vu Quang, Mr. Bao chose the Xa Doai orange variety, famous for its delicious flavor. He didn't chase after high yields but remained committed to clean, sustainable agriculture. The entire orange grove is cared for using self-composted organic fertilizer and probiotics made from by-products, minimizing the use of chemicals. He also created a pest control solution from fermented garlic, chili peppers, ginger, alcohol, and soapberry fruit, intercropping lemongrass and lemon to repel insects while allowing grass to grow naturally at the base of the trees to retain soil moisture.
Mr. Bao shared that this method requires more effort and costs twice as much as conventional farming. But in return, the clean oranges are of superior quality, have an attractive appearance, a distinctive flavor, and quickly gain the trust of consumers.
“Growing organic oranges ensures cleanliness and natural growth. If you follow the correct procedures, the trees will be healthy, the fruit will be delicious, and you can always sell them at a good price because many people choose them. Caring for young trees is like caring for children; you have to be patient and meticulously care for each step with all your heart to have each healthy orange tree that yields high productivity,” Mr. Bao said.
Thanks to the government's support, he gained access to preferential capital, received assistance from the OCOP program and the youth union. Training courses and technical lessons helped him break away from old methods, boldly switching to growing oranges using organic ecological methods – a difficult, labor-intensive, and slow-yielding but sustainable approach.
According to Mr. Bao, the early days of starting the business were very difficult. He and his wife lacked capital and technical skills. He used to think farming only required physical strength, but when he started, he realized that agriculture is a profession that demands knowledge, discipline, and meticulous attention to detail. Because unseasonal rains can ruin an entire crop, and a rapidly spreading disease can wipe out a year's worth of hard work.
Outstanding Young Farmers
After a decade of developing a model for orange cultivation, the sweat shed on the hillside has yielded sweet fruit. Bao Phuong oranges are increasingly popular and are available in Nghe An, Hanoi, Hue, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, and many other provinces and cities.
Bao shared that the "Bao Phuong Orange" brand was created to signify the "direction" of his chosen path in clean, high-quality, and ethical agriculture. Despite initial successes in his startup, Bao still has many concerns.
"Farming now isn't just about being good at growing. You have to be good at selling, and you have to be able to inspire. A clean agricultural product can't tell its own story if the person who produced it doesn't tell it," Bảo shared.
Representatives from Vu Quang commune praised Mr. Doan Ngoc Bao as a diligent and hardworking young farmer, especially for his bold pioneering efforts in developing organic orange farming models. He actively researches, explores, and learns from advanced orange farming models both within and outside the province to apply to his own model, and enthusiastically shares his experience with other young people and residents in the commune.
Mr. Doan Ngoc Bao also shared that after 10 years of "living and breathing" orange trees, he discovered that each harvest season brings a group of exceptionally special fruits. These are oranges with a striking red color, a delicate aroma, and a rich, sweet taste that anyone who has tasted them will remember forever. According to him, they seem to have absorbed the essence of nature, excelling in both quality and appearance. However, they are very rare, accounting for only about 10% of the total production. Mr. Bao calls these "Essence Oranges," carefully selected and reserved only for special customers because of their higher price compared to regular oranges.
It is known that the current farm-gate price for regular oranges is 45,000 VND/kg; premium varieties range from 68,000–69,000 VND/kg. Tinh Hoa oranges, in particular, are priced at up to 120,000 VND/kg and are always in high demand.
In 2024, the orange orchard is expected to yield approximately 30 tons of fruit. At current prices, the annual revenue is estimated at around 1.2 billion VND, with an estimated profit of 400 million VND. The farm provides regular employment for 10 workers and seasonal employment for 10 workers during the harvest season.
It is known that in 2018, he was elected Chairman of the Huong Tho Orange Cooperative. In this role, he helped many orange growers in the commune have a stable market for their produce, no longer being exploited by traders. In 2020, his organic orange model was among the top 10 outstanding OCOP products at the provincial level. Also in that year, he had the honor of attending the 3rd Vietnam Young Talents Congress. This is a well-deserved recognition for the efforts and creativity of a young farmer.
Currently, Bao Phuong oranges have achieved OCOP 3-star status and are completing the application process to strive for OCOP 4-star status in 2025. This is a source of pride for Bao personally, but also a significant milestone for young entrepreneurs in a difficult mountainous region like Vu Quang.
Not stopping at orange trees, Mr. Bao continued to expand into pomelo cultivation. Recognizing that some low-lying areas of land were unproductive for orange trees, he boldly converted them to planting over 300 pomelo trees. After many years of care, the pomelo orchard now yields a stable harvest. Each tree produces an average of 50-60 fruits, totaling thousands of fruits annually. With stable selling prices, the pomelo alone brings his family several hundred million dong per harvest. Currently, his farm covers more than 6 hectares, including 5 hectares of oranges and over 1 hectare of pomelos that are already producing fruit.
Representatives from Vu Quang commune praised Mr. Doan Ngoc Bao as a diligent and hardworking young farmer, especially for his bold pioneering efforts in developing organic orange farming models. He actively researches, explores, and learns from advanced orange farming models both within and outside the province to apply to his own model, and enthusiastically shares his experience with other young people and residents in the commune.
Source: https://tienphong.vn/9x-bo-pho-ve-hoi-sinh-vung-dat-soi-post1803945.tpo
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