Surprised with the self-sufficient clean vegetable garden, teachers and students take care of it together

Teachers and students of Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy have turned a barren land into a clean vegetable garden, providing safe food and spreading the message of green living.

Barren land becomes "green lungs"

The clean vegetable garden on the campus of Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy is nearly 5,000 ^m2 wide, implemented by the school's Trade Union, inaugurated in 2022, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the school's founding (2002 - 2022).

Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy's clean vegetable garden is 5,000 m2 wide, growing all kinds of vegetables.

PHOTO: DUY TAN

Few people would have guessed that the current garden was once a barren sandy land. To renovate it, the school’s Union transported 52 loads of topsoil, combined with more than 12 tons of organic fertilizer and straw fertilizer, leveled and redesigned the entire site.

After nearly 3 months of construction with the joint efforts of hundreds of teachers, students and workers, the clean vegetable garden has appeared with many diverse green areas: vines for squash, pumpkin, bitter melon; greenhouses for growing amaranth and mustard greens; outdoor beds for growing okra and many other vegetables.

Luffa trellis for hanging fruit

PHOTO: DUY TAN

The days spent in the garden became memorable experiences for teachers and students. Students changed their blouses into work clothes, rolled up their sleeves to water, weed, and catch insects; teachers and union officials directly guided and shared folk experiences in farming.

Bitter melon trellis full of fruit

PHOTO: DUY TAN

Ms. Phan Thi Luyen, Vice President of the Trade Union of Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy, said: "Every day, about 20 staff and 100 students take turns taking care of the garden. For many children who are far from home, the garden not only creates a beautiful landscape, but also a green space to help them ease their homesickness."

The squash vines are bearing fruit.

PHOTO: DUY TAN

Place of experience and practical classes

After only 45 days of planting, the first crops of vegetables were harvested. On the opening day, teachers and students of the school sold about 100 kg of vegetables at 20,000 VND/kg.

Trellis full of gourds

PHOTO: DUY TAN

Currently, the garden rotates to grow more than 10 types of vegetables such as squash, winter melon, luffa, long beans, cucumber, green mustard, sweet cabbage, etc. On average, each crop produces 20 - 25 kg of vegetables, both serving the school's needs and supplying the small local market.

For students, the vegetable garden is not only a place for experience but also a "practical classroom". Nguyen Tan Vinh, a student at the school, shared: "After stressful school hours, going to the garden to till the soil and water it helps me feel more comfortable. Through that, I also learn how to recognize and grow clean vegetables to apply in life".

Eggplant beds

PHOTO: DUY TAN

In addition to agricultural knowledge, students also practice teamwork skills, plan crops, and even try their hand at sales and marketing...

To ensure year-round vegetable harvest, the school applies the rolling planting method, each time there is a vegetable in season. In the garden, there is also a small shop selling vegetables and tubers at 20,000 - 30,000 VND/kg, straw mushrooms at 90,000 VND/kg. Revenue is reinvested in the garden, paying for fertilizer, hiring workers to harvest and weed. Customers are mainly lecturers, school staff and the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital.

Clean vegetables harvested every day are sold to school teachers and Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital.

PHOTO: DUY TAN

In the future, this clean vegetable garden will be expanded in area, with more diverse varieties, aiming for a sustainable self-sufficiency model. Not only stopping at creating a source of clean food, the garden also plays a role in educating students about green lifestyles, environmental protection and health awareness.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/bat-ngo-voi-vuon-rau-sach-tu-cung-thay-co-va-sinh-vien-cung-cham-soc-185250926103230152.htm